Itchy wool

[turpin]

Don't do the washing yet. buy 3 or 4 cheap pairs of big boxers and cut the crotch seam. wear the kilt with these for a while and see if that softens it up before taking the nest step (shudder).

On the other hand, what did the Scots do to clean their woolens before tetrachloroethene was invented?

BTW, I think the SWK heavyweights are merino wool, and softer to start than worsted.

[Dreadbelly]

Don't do the washing yet. buy 3 or 4 cheap pairs of big boxers and cut the crotch seam. wear the kilt with these for a while and see if that softens it up before taking the nest step (shudder).

On the other hand, what did the Scots do to clean their woolens before tetrachloroethene was invented?

BTW, I think the SWK heavyweights are merino wool, and softer to start than worsted.

They washed it in plain water or not at all. Wear it long enough and the wool developed a patina, a sort of oily sheen that helped it stay water resistant and warm.

And then of course, if it wasn't a great kilt, it was broken down, the box pleats torn out, and the other side was worn outwards for a while, the with the 'weathered colours' side, filthy and sun bleached, worn on the inside. And then it would be turned again, but this time topside down, and turned again, usually four times to make sure that every last ounce of wear was worn out of it. By this point, the kilt had taken on the 'ancient colours' and was a completely different beast.

It may be smelly and gross to us modern folks, but grease impregnated wool was good for survival. Anything to stay warm and dry, and keep the damp out.

[Eujeankilt]

Don't do the washing yet. buy 3 or 4 cheap pairs of big boxers and cut the crotch seam. wear the kilt with these for a while and see if that softens it up before taking the nest step (shudder).

On the other hand, what did the Scots do to clean their woolens before tetrachloroethene was invented?

BTW, I think the SWK heavyweights are merino wool, and softer to start than worsted.

That's a good idea. I think I'll try that.

Thanks Turpin.


Dale

[PapiMoffett]

One thing that I learned from some avid fibre arts ladies I knew:

It seems that people find CLEANER wool MORE ITCHY!

Wool which is washed, carded, and spun by hand is often felt to be less itchy and allergy producing than commercially produced yarns and fabrics. Why? Theory goes to the lanolin which is left from the hand process and is removed during heavier industrial processing.

So I would agree with most guys who have posted: wear it more, let it get a little oily .

Maybe someone can refer you to a kilt made from hand-made yarn. I am sure it couldn't cost more than your house....