Category: Helpful Tips

Getting those winter hats, scarves, and gloves out of storage.

The kids have started back to school; the nights are beginning to cool off, and soon, the leaves will change colors. Fall is on its way! It’s time to get your cold weather gear out of storage, and I’m sure they need a little freshening up! Here are some helpful tips for cleaning and refreshing your crocheted and knitted hats, gloves, and scarves.

Washing

Always read the care label before washing your crocheted or knitted items. If the label says it’s safe to machine wash, use a gentle cycle and put the item in a mesh laundry bag to avoid snagging. Use mild detergent and cool water, and skip the bleach and fabric softener. If it says “hand wash only,” don’t toss it in the machine. Fill a sink with lukewarm water and add a gentle detergent. Swirl the item around, then rinse it thoroughly with cool water.

What if you’ve removed the “made of (whatever type of yarn)” and care label? Air on the side of caution and handwash.

Does it have super cool sequins, jewels, ribbons, or a giant pom? If they can’t be removed, follow the steps above for handwashing to avoid damaging the embellishment on the hat/gloves/scarf.

Drying

Don’t use the dryer when it’s time to dry your crocheted hat/gloves/scarves unless the care label says it’s okay. Instead, gently squeeze out the excess water and lay the item flat on a clean towel. If you need to, reshape it a little by patting it into shape; avoid tugging or pulling so it doesn’t magically get bigger. Then, let it air dry thoroughly, flipping it a few times to make sure it dries evenly on both sides.

Don’t hang your crocheted/knitted items to dry, as that can stretch them out, distort the shape, or cause the yarn fibers to break.

Storing

When the last spring snowstorm has passed, launder your items before putting them up for the spring/summer. Store your crocheted items in a cool, dry spot, away from direct sunlight or heat, to keep them looking their best. This will help prevent fading and shrinking.

Also, opt for a covered container to prevent any critters from making home or dinner out of your garments. Mice and certain types of insects love to eat and nest in stored clothing. The Spruce has a list of the most common types of insects and how to get rid of them.

A Few Tips

If you see any pilling on your crocheted items, no worries! Use a fabric shaver, old razor, or manicure scissors to remove the pills. Just be careful not to snip any of the yarn fibers.

Snags happen, but it’s not the end of the world; a snag can be repaired by pulling the loose threads to the wrong side or inside of the hat/gloves/scarf with a small crochet hook or straightening a paperclip and creating a small hook on the end. Turn the garment inside out and find the newly relocated threads, tie a loose knot in the threads, and add a dab of clear nail polish. Once dry, flip the garment right side out and check your handy work!

For those of you with kids who love to share, head lice can become a problem. My initial response is to burn everything! However, I know kids get super attached to certain items. So, in my book, you have two options: quarantine or freezing. Place all infected items in a sealable bag and leave them there for at least a week. Then, take the items outside for several good shakes and use a small vacuum or the hose attachment on your regular vacuum to get rid of the little guys. Death by freezer is a similar process; place all items in a sealable bag, place the sealed bag in your freezer for at least four hours (I personally would go longer, just to be sure), and finally take them outside for the shake/vacuum step.

Out With the Old

Ready for some new cool weather gear? Pom Hats and Chunky Beanies will soon be back in stock for Black Sheep Creations starting September 1st, along with new Adjustable Earwarmers and Braided Earwarmer Headbands.

Don’t forget to donate your old hats, scarves, and gloves. What’s old to you can be new to someone else!

As a dog mom to three fur babies, an okay-ish gardener, and a mosquito buffet, I understand the importance of choosing safe plants for my furry babies and keeping those pesky bloodsuckers at bay. Here are some tips on selecting flowers, herbs, and plants that are both dog-safe and mosquito-repellent.

Flowers

When it comes to selecting flowers, opt for marigolds, petunias, and lavender. Marigolds are not only beautiful, but they also emit a scent that mosquitoes despise. Petunias are another excellent option for repelling mosquitoes, and they come in various colors to add a pop of color to your garden. Lavender not only repels mosquitoes but also has a calming effect on dogs. Lavender and marigolds can be mildly toxic if your fur baby eats them, but they are not life-threatening.

Herbs

For herbs, consider planting rosemary, basil, and lemon balm. Rosemary is a natural mosquito repellent and can also be used in cooking. Basil repels mosquitoes and has antibacterial properties, making it a great addition to any garden. Lemon balm emits a lemony scent that mosquitoes hate and can also be used in teas or as a natural remedy for anxiety in dogs. These three herbs also have health benefits for puppers, which makes them a great additive to their homemade food or treats!

Plants

Lastly, for plants, catnip and lemongrass are great options. Catnip repels mosquitoes and attracts beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies. Catnip is not only safe for dogs to eat, it acts like a sedative, helping them with anxiety, stress, and sleep, and it’s a natural antiseptic. Lemongrass emits a strong citrus scent, can be added to any Asian-inspired dishes, and can add privacy to your deck, yard, or front porch. Technically lemon grass is toxic to dogs; however, they have to eat substantial quantities of the plant to trigger any symptoms.

A Few Tips

Avoid planting anything that is toxic to dogs, such as daffodils, lilies, hostas, or tulips. I know they’re gorgeous flowers that are great for the birds and bees, so if you want to plant them, locate them outside your dog’s play area where they can’t get into them. If you find you have existing toxic plants in their play area, consider transplanting them to a different area.

Citronella plants are a well-known mosquito repellent, but they’re very toxic to dogs. Always supervise your dog when they are in the garden to ensure they are not eating any plants that could be harmful to them.

The ASPCA is an excellent resource for reading up about the plants in and around your home to be prepared to recognize plant/flower/herb poisoning in your fur babies.