Washing large afghans**pics of afghan**

[Ga_Rebel]

Hello everyone. I don't have a picture of this up yet. But today I recieved a very large (king size plus) ripple red white and blue afghan through freecycle. Still in terrific condtion. But for piece of mind I wanna wash this before I start using it. Does anyone have any tips for washing and drying this monster?

[lhasaapsolady]

I've made several large ones, the largest was 158 X 158. Everyone I've made them for take theirs to the dry cleaner and lets them have the headaches.

[Ga_Rebel]

Unfortunately I don't think we have one around here. I may have to brave this and do it myself. Wish me luck.

[ktornatola]

I've washed my king-sized afghan in the wash. Obviously it's the only thing I put in, but it's still alive

[frogsrock]

if its acrylic id just throw it in the washer/dryer

 

in my house we have 30 year old acrylic blankets, theyve been washed and dried tons of times and are still in great condition

[Ga_Rebel]

Ok well I have the washing part done. Now I am drying this huge thing. Once thats done I'll post some pictures along with measurements.

 

I knew it was ayrlic as soon as I touched it. That was not what I worried about. It was the size of the blanket and the strain on my washer.

[Ga_Rebel]

And here it is washed and all:

 

http://crochetadventures.blogspot.com/2006/09/look-what-i-got-through-freecycle.html

[lhasaapsolady]

And here it is washed and all:

 

http://crochetadventures.blogspot.com/2006/09/look-what-i-got-through-freecycle.html

 

 

 

Its very pretty and very large. It washed up fabulous.

[Brandybuck]

That is a huge afghan. I love the pattern/colors - glad it did well in the wash!

[Aggie May]

Great find.

If you ever have doubt about something being clean, after you buy it, just put it into the freezer for a few days.

Good idea with childrens soft toys too, instead of washing.

Have fun.

Colleen:hug

[pinkroses]

It is very pretty. I usually put mine in the washer. Even cotton crocheted bedspreads. They turn out ok. I don't wash the cotton one to much though.

Your blanket is very pretty.PINKROSES

[LadyBeBop]

Ga_ Rebel, that is beautiful.

 

We have a large capacity washer, so that would easily fit into ours. Before getting the washer, we used to have to take big, bulky items to the large machines at the laundramat.

 

Great find.

If you ever have doubt about something being clean, after you buy it, just put it into the freezer for a few days.

Good idea with childrens soft toys too, instead of washing.

Have fun.

Colleen:hug

 

'scuse my stupidity, Colleen, but what does that do? Is it supposed to kill the germs on the blanket or something?

[Aggie May]

Freezing will kill most bugs and germs. Just put the item into a plastic bag, if you can find one big enough, or wrap in cling-wrap, so it does not stick to the sides of the freezer.

I dont think you are stupid at all.

We can all learn something new, everyday but we are not stupid just because we dont know.

Have fun.

Colleen:hug

[Ga_Rebel]

THere is a part of me that feels bad about having it. When I went to pick it up the woman told me her husband's mother made it. I asked a few questions about it like if it was made with acrylic yarn or not. And they acted like they just didn't care. And it made me feel bad because I can see and tell a lot of love wnet into that blanket. Looks like it never left the trash bag I recieved it in.

[kisha29]

that is soooooo big and so pretty.

 

I was going to ask about the freezing part to so your not alone.

[Shell]

'scuse my stupidity, Colleen, but what does that do? Is it supposed to kill the germs on the blanket or something?

 

Our immunologist tells us to do this with my daughters soft toys to kill the dust mites etc as throwing them in the wash may damage them, but the mites etc trigger her asthma.. quick and easy

[cupcake]

That afghan isnt large, it is hu - mongous!

 

I cant imagine how long each row across must have taken, and how many hours of work went into it, and how many balls of yarn. I wonder why it was made so enormously big??

[Ga_Rebel]

They said for a king size bed. But once I got it on my bed I relieved it must have been made for a Cali. King size bed. It sleeps wonderfully.

[nana5boys]

That is a big blanket. I also wonder how long it took her just to do a row at a time. It's beautiful though. And how wonderful & special you must feel knowing that they passed it along to you.

 

jaye

[lunchbox]

Well, at least they gave it away instead of just throwing it away. Its so huge and must have taken so much time. I am glad its got a good home now.

[craftybutterfly]

I have friends who don't craft (crochet), one in particular she's my diet buddy. I send her pics of patterns that i've bought and get so excited about and she's like, "eh, yeah that's nice." I think its hard to get "worked up" about this stuff, if its not already "in there" (in us), so to speak. And those who don't crochet (or knit) dont realize the work, love, and patience that goes into a project that size. But, as one poster said, it now has a good loving home

[busymomof7]

Be careful what you throw into a "regular" washing machine! Especially large items like blankets can get caught on the agitator and torn apart. I have even seen a knit sweater ruined by the agitator in a washing machine.

 

I am very fortunate that I now own a front-loading machine. They tumble your clothes like a dryer does and are much gentler. If you ever need to wash something large like that again, I recommend you use a friend's or a laundromats front-loading machine to be on the safe side.

[Aggie May]

Rejoice that the Afghan found you.

It will never want for care again.

This was meant to be.

Enjoy.

Have fun.

Colleen:hug

[Ga_Rebel]

Thank you everyone. I do feel better now. I put it on my bed last night (it swallowed my bed) and slept with it last night. Not to think not to thin.....Just Right.

[birdlady1]

Great find.

If you ever have doubt about something being clean, after you buy it, just put it into the freezer for a few days.

Good idea with childrens soft toys too, instead of washing.

Have fun.

Colleen:hug

 

People thought I was nuts when I put thrift store fur coats in the freezer (to be later used to make teddybears).

I also store my bird seed in the freezer to kill seed moths.