How to Soften Red Heart Yarn Super Saver

[@susannealcrochets4806]

I just completed a huge project with Craft Smart yarn. It was God awful scratchy. I washed on delicate with Woolite and fabric softener. Dried on low and came out super soft. I do all my projects this way no matter yarn.

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

I will probably try out soaking other yarns in vinegar too. Someone else in another comment mentioned how the vinegar helps set the colors too.

[@BimmerBabe]

woolite is a great idea!!!!

[@StarlingofAzerath]

Everyone is like "why go through all that trouble" yea for a baby blanket that size the savings may not be significant for the effort. But if you make bigger blankets or oversized sweaters, the cost of using higher quality yarn starts to get steep. And softer yarn may mean more pilling and may end up falling apart sooner. So its a give and take depending on yarn yardage and utility

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

What a great thought. I agree if you are making a project that uses A LOT of yarn, you are right it would be much for cost effective to get the red heart and soften it. Things like this really point out that there is a place for everything...fine wools, middle of the road yarn and even a caron 1 pounder! haha

[@juneleesenclair1045]

I bought a sweater shaver. Works great.

[@SpiralBreeze]

I use Super Saver all the time, all I do is wash it with a bit extra softener when finished. If it's too soft it'll be too loose and lose it's stitch definition and get super ratty looking. I purposely use this yarn so projects look brand new for years to come. I knit stuff back when I was 5 years old in 1990 and it still looks brand new.

[@ritawashere5787]

Hi there, I was just reading your comment. And I hope you can tell me what type of fabric softener you use? Do you wash your projects in the washing machine it, if so what cycle? Do you use the full amount of fabric softener used in our load of laundry for a very tiny bit? It's awesome to read your comment that your projects don't look ratty for years. Anything I've washed and I'm just done it randomly it makes the surface of the yarn very long and fluffy I guess, but then of course it will pill. But I've never used any fabric softener before.

[@ritawashere5787]

Sorry about how long my comment was. I never use fabric softener so I need to know what brand and how much to use. I would really appreciate your help. Very much ❤️ thank you in advance.

[@augustjones7202]

I'm working on a balaclava right now and this is exactly what I was concerned about. I'll try this!🖤

[@sharonmarks]

When I finish a project in Red Heart, my husband throws it in the washer with lots of fabric softener. Then he puts it in the dryer. When it is dry it is super soft. I love Super Saver from Red Heart.

[@KristaMcLeran]

If you wash your item in the washer on delicate in cold water with a TBSP of vinegar in the detergent compartment and then a TBSP of vinegar in the softener compartment and then dry on lowest setting with only wool dryer balls, no dryer sheets, it comes out stupid soft. All natural. No chemicals.

[@katibere1966]

I just washed a child’s poncho made with Red Heart Super Saver ... put it in a mesh laundry bag with detergent (Tide) and softener (Downey) and then put it in dryer. It came out PERFECT!!! 🧶🧶🧶😊

[@kayceegreer4418]

You actually can leave the vinegar alone, use warm or hot water in a gentle cycle and simply put fabric softener in the wash cycle, stop it before the rinse cycle THAT'S RIGHT - NO RINSE, change it to spin out and THEN dry it 10 -15 min on perm press and it will feel like Caron simply soft or Lion brand or any other wonderfully luxurious soft expensive per ounce yarn. I've been doing it for 20 years and saving money! The reason it works is: yarn is a cellulose changed by petrochemical treatment - not talkin' 'bout wool/animal fuzz , just synthetic fibers- thus it is oleophilic. Machine grease and machine lubricants that inevitably fly around as a mist in a shop full of machinery are also petrochems. That and the lint is what causes Brown Lung Disease, much like Black Lung from coaldust. All of the above.. that's right, oleophilic. Fabric softener as well as hand creams, face lotions, potions, hair conditioners, etcetera are... you guessed it! Oleophilic because they all have petrochems in then ( I'm talking main stream on the store shelf stuff not special health food store boutique shop stuff). By the way, if you don't know and have not hit Google yet to find out what oleophilic means, it means oil-loving; oils are attracted to one another because of their molecular structure and other Science-y words. I was in fashion design and we had fabric industry classes from creation to product to wear-n-tear to care, even laundering and dry cleaning of all fibers and fabrics known to man and beast. This is education and experience talking here: The way I described above will cut the machine grease and lubricant out because the way fabric softener is made, molecular weight and tension, being lower will penetrate the filaments/yarn and the grease being heavier molecular weight with higher surface tension will float away with water and excess softener upon spin cycle. You see, other synthetics like polyester cannot accept moisture but acrylic (rayon too) can, because it started as a cellulose - a wood or plant fiber. Heavier molecular weight oils with higher surface tension cannot penetrate it so it will be cut by the softener itself - you don't even need soap or vinegar, you just need a concentrated softener and use plenty of it, and warm to hot water helps it penetrate and soften; every other way you've described is horrendously labor-intensive and, to my experienced ear, a lot of bother and wasted money and time. Of course if someone has allergies are sensitive skin, soaps - which are rendered from fat, oil , grease and may even have lanolin in it which comes from sheep or other animal body oil, will work if you're used to that And it has worked so far for other things but it may deposit a different waxy residue and encapsulate the machine grease or lubricants, so it seems I should say "detergent is the way to go" it will cut oil , degrease- I know , how does oil cut oil ? well, once again, it's all about molecular weights and surface tension- Anyway soap ( If it is an all natural kind with eucalyptus or tea tree oil in significant enough amounts it may work or add essential oil to it)/ or especially detergent to wash away the film and then use the wash cycle to get warm or hot water and (hypoallergenic?) softener sans (without) fragrances and warm or hot water rinse and spin and then tumble dry as I said above and nobody skin should be irritated after that. *** Hot water should never be used on fancy yarns like eyelash or anything that resembles a pompom or any kind of fuzz ball because if the crinkle in the filament is altered by your water heater temp setting, your yarn will lose its "loft", and "hand" (fluffiness and draping quality), and pompoms will shed and flatten So make sure your water heater thermostat is set in the mid range they are usually indicated on the valve/ knob /handle. *** This advice is only for cheap continuous strand yarn softening - no fancy yarns allowed for this procedure unless it is in warm water, gentle cycle, low heat dryer settings, or no more than 10-15 min on perm press dry cycle depending on size of item. It is advisable if using the warmer setting of permanent press, that you may need to take out larger items re-fluff them and put them back in so the wetter parts that got rolled up to the interieur of the wad will get dry equally well.

[@grandmalovesmebest]

Karen Mullen Oh, sweetie, that is waaayyyy too much info. This isn't a class at F.I.T., it is a forum for crafty and household hints. Please try again, rewrite and simplify, and remember who your target audience is.

[@mattplaysyoutube8880]

That’s TOOOOOOOOO long

[@UnstoppablePassion1]

Long but the science geek in me was happy for the info

[@sheiladale6200]

Karen Mullen... Thank you!! This is the kind of info I love... scientific explanations. Tbe story behind our craft. Summer should interview you sometime!

[@katiepoe961]

GC Durnin calm down, sweetie. Just because you don’t get it doesn’t mean the rest of us don’t. Many people have actually found this explanation incredibly helpful, so keep your unwanted opinions to yourself. Buh-bye, sweetie.

[@Rennagayle]

I always hated the scratchy Red Heart afghans my mother made back in the day. As a result, I've made a point to steer clear of it since taking up knitting and crocheting. I was one of those given a bag of Red Heart yarns by someone who's grandmother had probably passed. Knowing I was a knitter, they just knew I'd be thrilled, and I wasn't about to let on otherwise. I knit a pair of fingerless mitts last fall, then soaked them in a bowl of water with a few capfuls of cheap hair conditioner. I then tied them inside a pillowcase and tossed it in the dryer with a load of towels. I was utterly amazed at how soft they came out. I've done that a few times since with the same results. I have not made anything as big as a blanket, though. I'm happy to learn about the vinegar trick! 👍🏻 Like you, I was pleasantly surprised with a hat I recently knit from the Red Heart self-striping yarn, a purchase I deliberately made!

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

I am not sure how often I will do this. I guess if someone requests Red Heart then I would, but otherwise I will stick with my other favorite yarns.

[@grandmalovesmebest]

Renna Hanlon Yes, those old yarns were horrible. I'm very suspicious when someone gifts a bag of scrap yarn. I' ve been crocheting for decades and only once used up all my leftovers. I made grandmas garden hexagons afghan wh turned out beautifully bc I had bags of leftover Vanna's Choice (all the colors are made to coordinate). Btw, it is only proper to ask someone if they would like to have something rather than making a big deal of being generous by unloading throwaways on "friends?". I've worked in missions where ppl donated yarn that was used as t.p. by the family cat. When the Sister told the donee why she couldnt accept it, the gifter said she felt it was good enough for mission ladies as they should be thankful for anything they got. It is really the same thing. Ignorance and thoughtlessness.

[@LoneStarSportsLedger]

Thank you!!!! I just started a mini business selling the items I crochet and was all happy to find "Super Saver Yarn" because it was cheap and long. 2 minutes into my first sweater i could feel the toughness ("super saver" shouldve been my warning ha ha jk) I was hoping to find a video that fixed this problem to save me from spending tons of the super soft, pricier yarn. This helped a bunch! Thank you!

[@ArtByKarenEHaley]

Beautiful blanket! I’ll watch your tutorial. Softening that scratchy yarn can be tricky. My grandma made a blanket for my son with super saver and she just washed it with vinegar and a little fabric softener. Then when it was dry I added a small amount of baby lotion to my hands and worked it into the whole blanket. It’s soooo nice to touch and because I used the kind of lotion he was used to, the scent would relax him. You have to know the baby is not allergic to the lotion you put on the blanket but the result is worth it👍

[@irene_f.]

I'll try w/lotion but not vinegar.

[@froggietexan]

I have actually soaked a whole skein at one time with vinager and water in the sink let it sit and hour then rinsed for like 20 min then used like 1/3 a cup Downey and like 5 table spoons conditioner in the water vmuc till dissolved soak skien for an hour take out rinse vthem put on wire rack and let drain over night then I wrapped vin in nevof my little net bag type things dryed on low till out side was damp again let in the sun for a few was great to crochet with a lot of waiting and work but so worth it really

[@sophievanderbilt1325]

Nice video! A lot of ppl (like myself!) have inherited this scratchy type of yarn from their grandparents or neighbors or what not. I don't want to throw it out, so a video like this is really great!

[@grandmalovesmebest]

Sophie Vanderbilt I'd be very interested to know how it turns out if it is very old yarn. I remember red heart when it was more like rope than yarn.

[@sophievanderbilt1325]

GC Durnin ahh it didn’t fare too well 😅 Yeah this was super old yarn, like the paper band practically disintegrated in my hands when I picked it up lol! It felt like rope while I was crocheting and even after doing the soaking and washing, it just stayed crunchy and rough and actually got tons of pills and fuzz all over it. I’m just gonna use it for cat beds or something.

[@lorainecomerford1727]

KayceeGree had the simplest method. Put in washer with cap full of fabric softener, do not rinse then dry on med to low heat. Worked like a charm on an afghan made with Super Saver yarn that would have been too difficult to soak in a bathtub. Thank you KayceeGree!

[@gd8740]

Thank you! I’m looking for toxic free yarn. Red heart is Oeko Tex certified meaning it’s been tested for over 300 chemicals and has been determined safe. It’s important because the babies put blankets in their mouth.

[@conniefendley645]

Gees, so much work. I was taught to knit and crochet by my 4th grade teacher. I'm now 64. Lol. Imagine the Red Heart I've been through. I have always just washed with Tide (laundry detergent snob) with Downey (fabric softener snob) lol, dry on low and it has never failed me. Now, I've just learned that you can steam your projects and that works as well. I've just finished a poncho for one of my granddaughters and I'm gonna try that just out of curiosity. Yarns have come a long way in 50 years. Save yourself all that work (unless you have too much time on your hands) and buy a softer yarn. Oh, you can always throw skeins in a pillow case and was as described before you get to your project. That works too. Just a tip from an oldie but goodie!! Love your videos by the way. Keep up all your hard work work. It is appreciated by all of us.

[@grandmalovesmebest]

Connie Fendley Thanks Connie. I was wondering about how to wash (actually dry) a skein. I will try that. Do you have to wash/dry the skeins in the pillowcase by itself or can you throw it in with towels?

[@trishahukins9343]

Washing in cold water on delicate with some added liquid fabic softener always works for me. Also drying on low with a dryer sheet.

[@Jessd85]

I have a bag full of super saver that I was about to get rid of, so I'm glad I found this. I knitted with it and I was like OMG this is terrible and scratchy lol. Maybe I'll be able to use it after all.

[@dananola]

This works. I forgot the fabric softener but I bought everything from Dollar Tree and did an entire Afghan in the bathtub. 20 for each step (except no fabric softener) and the blanket is lovely and soft. I might switch back to Red Heart ❤️ from Hobby Lobby's yarn because of the lower price since I know that I can make it feel the same! Thank you so much for posting this.

[@jannetteanderson5068]

I've used RH SS & presently using RH Comfort yarn. Yes it is coarse to work with but here is what I've done in the past & it works totally AWESOME. Once the project is completed I place it in my washing machine using cold water either on delicate or hand wash for about 20 min or more using a little laundry soap & about 1 C vinegar or your cheapest hair conditioner. This way it goes through all the fibers in the yarn & NO the vinegar will NOT HARM your washing machine & NO the project WILL NOT smell like vinegar. Plus vinegar cleans out the build up of crap on the inside of the hoses in your washer. I bet most of you don't know but fabric softeners have a form of wax in the ingredients...………...have you ever noticed how a dryer sheet feels prior to placing in the dryer????? I used vinegar in my washing machine vice softeners, plus I run my dishwasher once a month with vinegar. Vinegar has been around for hundreds of yrs plus its a disinfectant. Try it out & you'll see. This Canadian gal would not steer you wrong.....

[@suNRze]

Jannette Anderson thank you. Going to try this on my project!!

[@preciousbeautyj6924]

Jannette, I’ve used vinegar for all these things but never on my yarn projects. I like you love RH. Will try the vinegar on this baby blanket I’m doing. Thx for the tip.

[@wmd40]

I use vinegar to wash my hair 😳 lol swear to God it's the best. Definitely going to try this

[@pratyt5079]

Thanks for your video, very interesting. I also found the comments interesting too. I've always used red heart and had good luck with it. Some colors do seem to be more scratchy but they all wash up softer. I use fabric softener every time. Another plus of red heart is the colors stay true and it keeps looking great. I think it may have changed from the yarn of years ago when the afghans seemed to always be stiff and scratchy.

[@thatjerseyb]

I'm a huge fan of red heart super saver. I know the multi-colored ones are thinner so usually softer in the beginning. But since I do a lot of Graphghans, the images seem to come out crisper. But I wash my works in the bathtub with suave shampoo and then let it set for a few hours in the suave conditioner. and rinse the life out of it when its done. Its great because it comes out smelling wonderful!

[@deniseadams5110]

Ppp

[@frugalandfiber6122]

Red Heart has improved A LOT. I had some vintage that was BAD compared too modern red heart.

[@mammaduke-patriciad7991]

Yes indeed. Like others have commented, Vinegar has been around for years. Beautiful Shaw.

[@adav5533]

Very pretty color, I love the border. Thank you for the tip.

[@allthingsyarn918]

Just found this video but all I do is use a baby laundry detergent and liquid fabric softener on a gentle setting and throw it in the dryer. Comes out super soft!

[@5877user]

I purchased Red Heart super saver in Persimmons and it’s very nice to stitch and it doesn’t feel scratchy or dry at least to me. But I also have Red heart super saver in white which is quite stiff and drags on the hook. Maybe the white was manufactured in a different facility or has been sitting around for awhile whereas maybe the Persimmons is a more recent manufactured release . The Persimmons is definitely smoother to stitch with and feels soft to me.

[@marcitucker9542]

You were absolutely right and I did the whole thing in the washing machine on the hand wash cycle and I added an additional soak cycle put vinegar in there but the fabric softener in went in during the wash cycle and put it in the conditioner I didn’t even work it into the blanket like you said I just put a whole bottle of conditioner in there I had to rinse it twice but then once I put them in the dryer and put them out they were so soft you rock

[@alyssamartinez7690]

Thank you so much I've been in need of some advice to help soften the yarn of quite a bit of projects I've made. You are a lifesaver 🙂🙏🏻 Now I know what to do to soften the yarn when I make something

[@squirrel10011970]

I agree with you. A LOT of work. Thanks for sharing the info, there's some cool chemistry and physics happening with these steps. Imo, the TIME I would have to spend to follow these steps just to soften rough yarn is more expensive and valuable than all the other materials combined.

[@susiestiles4467]

Vinegar is a softening agent to laundry. It just needs a fragrance added to it. So fabric softner plus vinegar should work well.

[@jenniemiller8555]

I appreciate all your efforts to help soften this yarn. I am so sure I'm not going to do this. I think I will just use a different yarn. Again thank you.

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

I won't either, but it's nice to know. Plus in a lot of small towns in American they really only have Walmart for yarn and Walmart carries a lot of red heart. I thought this video was kind of fun to make.

[@5877user]

@@SummersTipsandStitches Love that Walmart carries Red Heart super saver because Joanne’s isn’t as cheap. Right now it’s around $3.50 a skein

[@sweetpickle57]

I purchased RH Super Saver Jumbo in Navy and threw the whole skein away! Too darn scratchy to even work with it. I could not imagine it for a baby. I replaced that Navy with Walmart brand, Made in Turkey listed on the label and loved it! I have used a lot of Super saver for a bunch of other projects. It is affordable and easy to find. Love RH Ombré and Stripes also. 💕

[@sheiladale6200]

I find the darker RHSS colors are domewhat more scratch ... I believe the pigmentation is just so dense. I have made several afghans with RHSS Ombre, and RHSS Stripes... love them both.

[@chronicstitcher7933]

I have always found that just a good wash and dry with some fabric softener does the trick. Matter of fact, the more its washed and used, the softer it gets.

[@sharingsharing1049]

Red Heart is all I can find here in the Caribbean. I admit after I washed my crochet top it was softer (like you said not the softest) but hey! p.s. I am not doing all of that....Washer, softener, lay flat to dry worked fine for me! Or I get Cotton yarn!

[@mctron22rd]

That baby blanket is so gorgeous! I have this hack where i add unstoppables into a spray bottle with hot water and I wait till the beads dissolve and I spray the heck out of the blanket or garment with my concoction. Then i would put in the wash on delicate wash with fabric softer and vinegar. I found this out accidentally, when I left a project soaking over night cuz, I just forgot about it and Viõla! It was after I rinsed and spun the blanket out, that i noticed a difference in softness. I think that you don't need to go through all off that. I mean you could put it in the washing machine with a cup of fabric softener and soak over night and spin it out in the morning. Vinegar does not leave any smelly odors and works beautifully as well! Thanks for the tips!

[@deborah5568]

Your blanket is beautiful! The vinegar will also set the color well.

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

Thank you. I hope it helps with the color too..what a nice added bonus.

[@mctron22rd]

Baking soda and vinegar is what I have heard about when softening Acrylic fabrics. I use red heart because it is cheaper and easier to soften. I use fabric softener like unstoppables which you don't have to use but, I love the way they smell, I soak the item in them in a bin in hot water, with a quarter cap of the unstoppables and i sometimes even end up leaving them over night, just cus I forgot about it! But thank you for sharing this with us! Very interesting!

[@addiedeb]

Red Heart was our only choice "back in the day" - but nowadays everyone is asking for "chunky" blankets... ugh... I splurged on soft chunky yarn, and after washing it gently on cool and drying it on low, it came out scratchy! I'm trying to restore it to its original "glory"... I am also finding that my careful knots are coming undone in the wash - even on the gentlest cycle! Egads... there are problems with all of them, aren't there! Red Heart felt scratchier, but never fell apart... and if I can get them soft again, SCORE! Thanks for the fun advice - my huge chunky blanket is in a huge container filled with water and a half-bottle of cheap conditioner... we shall see.... if I can lift it, that is... haha!

[@mynitenitechick]

Awesome 👏🏽 information! Appreciate you 🤗

[@A_Wee_spook]

you are correct, they do use a coating to prevent the fibers from coming apart.

[@ved1134]

I agree that's way too much to do. I stopped using Red Heart Super saver because it's so rough....my go to now is red heart soft baby steps and love how soft it is. ....it's a little more money but well worth it. BTW I love your blanket.

[@doliver159]

Wow, thanks I will try both ways because this is a gift and I want it to feel just as great as it looks. Thank you once again.

[@stacimorton3504]

I know that some people use vinegar in place of other store fabric softeners as a "natural" substitute (also is used as color safe bleach and setting colors in fabric). Although it is not good for your washing machine seals, so soaking it in a sink or tub before washing is a great idea! I'm currently making a Afghan from Red Heart yarn and will definitely have to do this when done, thank you!

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

You probably will have to soak in a tub! Lucky for me, my baby blanket fit nicely in the sink!

[@lzad3764]

I didn’t know vinegar is bad for seals😩. I always put a little in my bleach dispenser in all my loads to disinfect.

[@elizabetholiviaclark]

I've used vinegar in the past myself, but I won't do it again if it means risking my machine.

[@topaz1x]

I'm going to use your tip. That other one is too much. Lol. Thank you for sharing your tip.

[@topaz1x]

I used that same Bonbon for a poncho (rough) and my mermaid dolls' tail.

[@freddiesolorzano9477]

Thats not a coating on the yarn whats happening is that vinegar you used is wearing down the acrylic that the yarn is made of. You're causing your yarn to break down and deteriorate faster meaning the project will fall apart faster. Just hand wash it or wash it on gentle and tumble dry and steam it a bit

[@irene_f.]

Does vinegar do that to all clothing? I use vinegar for my clothes, but not my yarn projects, because vinegar kills bacteria.

[@freddiesolorzano9477]

@@irene_f. no most clothing is a mix of fibers but most acrylic yarn is 100% acrylic

[@irene_f.]

@@freddiesolorzano9477 Thank you. 🌸

[@NJNUNEZ]

This was great, thank you. I often stay away from Red Heart super saver. I rather pay more for a softer higher quality yarn. Great video.

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

agree...I ended up having to use it for this blanket because someone requested it. It is soft after the soaking and washing, but I would rather buy soft yarn.

[@grandmalovesmebest]

Nancy-Jo Nunez q

[@deannamcfarland3598]

I've always been told to be careful with fragrance on dryer sheets , and soaps because of babies sensitive skin possible allergies. Just a thought you didn't mention

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

I agree, I have heard that too. In fact my middle child, Jeron, has senstive allergic skin. Personally I don't use red heart for baby things, so I don't worry too much.

[@rayel.2178]

I totally agree with you, that it is a lot of work especially working on making something and then having to do that. But I also seen ppl doing that to the yarn before making something. But it still seems extra work. Lol

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

Either way I agree it's a lot a work, that choose not to do! haha!

[@sewfantastic7257]

I just wash my blankets once and use a little extra fabric a good kind like bounce or snuggle let the rinse cycle sit for afew extra min,or run the rinse cycle twice. I have a blanket I made about 10 years ago the blankets get softer with each wash.

[@shirleyrazey9595]

Thank you so much for your thoughts on the softened yarn.

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

No problem...it's fun to look into things. I am in a few FB groups for crochet and knit and you see lots of questions about this...so I thought it would be a good video topic.

[@wendyschmidt4339]

Great information thank you. Super cute blanket

[@knitknack2285]

Tfs😊I am knitting a shawl with red heart ombré, I just can’t get anywhere on it because I don’t think it’s soft enough. So there is hope after all.

[@TheLightbright01]

I just made baby booties. I just took and washed by hand and then went and got fabric softner sheets and put in cold water put booties and very soft now.

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

very nice

[@jseidel70js]

Vinegar in the rinse cycle and some table salt at the beginning works great.

[@kittenkorleone2918]

I'm beginning to wonder if it's worth all the trouble to deal with the drawbacks that come along with acrylic yarn savings. Once you've used alpaca and other natural fibers it's so hard to go back to using synthetics. Synthetics certainly have their place as far as adding durability to a sock, folks on a fixed income etc. I just made a baby blanket using Hobby Lobby's Baby Bee Lots of Dots yarn. The yarn was much cheaper than a higher quality superwash but still cost me about $40+. It's similar in size to the lion brand Hometown but much fluffier and very soft. I knitted up a baby blanket for my niece's coming baby. It came out very soft, and rather scrumptious! I wove in the ends carefully and thoroughly and washed it in cold water under the most gentle cycle in my washer according to the info band. It said it was machine dryable but wasn't gonna attempt that!To my horror, a gaping hole had formed where i had joined the yarn inches in from edge. Not only did stitches unravel but the plys of the yarn itself splayed a couple inches and I couldn't get the plys to grip to twist them back to a single strand (like you can with wool) so i could've repaired it. The baby shower was a few days away and the only things left on the gift registry were some onesies and nursing pads. I ended up giving her a gift card instead with a bag of diapers. I had worked on that blanket over couple months of evenings and was crushed that this all happened. I really didn't want to do the gift card thing for the obvious reasons. I've never had this problem with Malabrigo, Purls Soho, or Debbie Bliss. I know the cost difference is great when you're making a larger sized project but I've still to find a single acrylic yarn that i would actually use in a sweater against skin but i'm still searching. That's just me. Im just venting.

[@grandmalovesmebest]

Kitten Korleone for years i was allergic to all synthetics. I learned where to find "the good stuff" (not avail in US any more) and learned to make nearly everything that I wore from hats to tights and suits to costumes. Sometimes it helps to not be able to use something for some reason as it gives you other options.

[@bjminton2698]

For me, cost has nothing to do with using acrylics. I'm allergic to wool!! Everybody's needs are different. So sorry about your blanket!! That would be so disappointing and frustrating.

[@Kimscrochetandknits]

very good tip for softening yarn :) thanks summer

[@robinbruno4033]

Thank you for the video. I’m a beginner and my teen daughter asked for a LGBTQ+ rainbow blanket. I picked red heart super saver because it was the only line that had all the colors but it’s scratching my lap as I crochet. I will definitely try these tips when done.

[@Jennyshobbies]

Great ideas for softening yarns although I don't find Caron one pounders particularly rough. I made a huge Christmas afghan with them earlier this year. It was combined with RHSS and I didn't find it rough at all. Now Craft Smart is rough for sure but I know it will soften in the wash.

[@denisewarmack17]

Ty for this tip.. FYI..I heard that you can take your full skein of yarn ..just like it is.. pull out the center of yarn..put in pillowcase..wash on delicate cycle with fabric softener..then put it in dryer in pillow case..have you ever tried this ? I haven't yet.. You first...lol

[@Michelle.05]

I wash the scratchy yarn on delicate with hair conditioner.

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

I might try that too, just too see how it compares to the vinegar. Thanks for watching!

[@grandmalovesmebest]

Michelle Townsend Thanks! I hate conditioner on my hair but have a lot I've tried and then stashed. Finally I have a use for it!

[@mommasuesue]

I use the conditioner also I put it in my wash machine with lots of conditioner and let it soak overnight then gentle wash and rinse then in my dryer with fabric sheets . I use cheap conditioner it works great !!!

[@tammymcnair-libbey9680]

Great info......will give these a try......

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

I hope it works out for you!

[@6996katmom]

I love the color of the Red Heart ombre. I don't know if anyone else has a nice ombre-if you know, please let me know. I took back all my Red Heart yarn. My favorite is still Hobby Lobby, but they don't have any ombre.

[@sandygrogg1203]

Holy cow! I’d never do all of that! I soak my acrylic charity hats in Downy..?wash? And find.. As I’d not the only yarn Red Heart makes, people.. Save yourself from all of that needless anxiety, and try Red Heart Soft Baby yarn, their With Love, and the Comfort (I think).oh..and Marly Bird’s Chic Sheep..209% Merino Red Heart gets an undeserved bad rap. Yes, SS can be on the harsh side, , but there are wonderful options within the Red Heart Brand.. I personally love the Doft Baby Steps for baby blankets and hats..

[@grandmalovesmebest]

Sandy Grogg You are right. I use with love instead if I am making solid color items. It is about $.50 or so more per skein at Walmart, but I can crochet all day and not have to rest my hands for a couple days prior to picking up my crochet again.

[@MC-kj8uy]

I mostly make charity stuff - hats & scarves - & I use a lot of Super Saver. The finished items are always kind of stiff but they soften up in the wash. What I'm trying to do now though is soften the yarn so it won't jam on an Addi Egg (little knitting machine). I knew vinegar helps with wool & other protein fibers but I thought synthetic fibers might need something different, which is why I'm here. It sounds like vinegar might still work so I'll try it with a couple of small bundles. I may also experiment with my shampoo/conditioner stuff. The Egg does okay with Simply Soft so I think if I can just soften the Super Saver I can use that too.

[@daphnehowell5338]

That is a lot! I guess it just depends on the person and the value they find in the yarn versus the time and extra products used.

[@nanceb4him]

Summer, just my opinion, but all the beautiful soft and bulky yarns are gorgeous til you wash them. Redheart double yarned is just as beautiful, but stays looking the same longer. I try not to wash them at all. But if I do, I do them on gentle. But you can also add vinegar to the rinse cycle. Many do that for odor. But I would do all your saying right in the washer?

[@1tbaccus]

thanks for sharing.

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

No problem...kind of a fun video to do!

[@frugalandfiber6122]

On baby blanket safety now. Make them toddler sized! They can have blankets at 12 months for sleep. Until then i'm using his for playing on

[@6996katmom]

It makes me never want to use red heart ever again. I love using I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby.

[@kimmatthews54]

Thank you. I was wondering.

[@Cecilyeg]

Many yarns are made with a sizing on them. The sizing is used to make the yarn stiff enough to work with rather than so soft it is difficult to work with.

[@jackiejohnson6193]

Good idea. Do a search and I will wait for your results lol. I am with you this is a lot to do to soften yarn. I heard somewhere that dawn dish soap and vinegar will soften it too. I don't know but there has to be an easier way lol

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

My last few projects I have been soaking in vinegar water...then washing in a cold gentle cycle and things are coming out very nice.

[@kimmyray1234]

Loved this one too

[@curiouskat2488]

Hah someone finally agrees about caron being fuzzy. Just because of this i will watch more of your videos. Which yarn do u recommend that is cost effective. I also like bernat blanket but doesnt hold shape very well.

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

I use a lot of the cakes. Caron has a whole line of them for babies, cotton and they are pretty cheap when you use the Micheal coupons. I also use Hobby Lobby brand, I love this yarn. It is soft and cheap like Red Heart.

[@grandmalovesmebest]

curious kat You get old, you think you know everything, then someone invents the internet . . .Thanks to all you ladies for your comments. I've learned a lot today and it is only 6 a.m.

[@grandmabenny2283]

Way to much to do thank you beautiful blanket 💚

[@allisonleighandrews8495]

Caron's one pound are different than simply soft. thanks for the video I see it's kind of dated and brands have changed around their products just to point out. very helpful tips though thanks

[@cherylespinks5482]

What about softening the yarn before you begin the project..less hassle, especially if your project is large. I recently purchased some SS Ombré to make some American Girl doll items. I found it had an oily smell..not pleasant..items will definitely need a wash and some vinegar. Thanks for all the info you pass along to your subscribers.

[@normaa9860]

Great tips, thanks for sharing. 😀💜

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

Thank you!

[@user-on7zd8yi8g]

Why not “just kill the acrylic” with hot steam? On the few occasions I used cheap, crappy yarn, I just hit the finished project with really hot steam from the iron. Worked for me.

[@kerryb751]

Girl.. you're right.. Red Heart is so rough. I was soaking it overnight in conditioner.. but it's still rough! I'll try the vinigar.. yes! Too much work after all the work you do to make the project! Pretty blanket though.. bought that yarn awhile back and made a hat and scarf for a toddler.. her favorite colors are blue and pink.

[@careyclapp8357]

So did this actually make the yarn softer? Soft enough for a baby item? Just wondering as all I use Red Heart for is exfoliating wash cloths for the body!

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

Yes it was soft, and very floppy. To be honest I really did not like how soft and floppy it was after I went through this treatment. I would much rather use a softer acrylic in general because I think all of that treatment caused the red heart to lose its shape.

[@bellanovia1648]

Yesss you are amazing thank you

[@bichzbrew]

Have you tried treating the whole skein of yarn before crocheting? I'm thinking it might have to be unrolled first?

[@elenityler8351]

THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO!!! YOU ARE AWESOME!!! I LOVE ALL YOUR VIDEOS. YOU HAVE HELPED ME SO MUCH AND YOU ARE SO INFORMATIVE> THANK YOU!!!

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

Thank you!

[@irenebradberry1016]

Thanks for the info. Yes...let us know if you do go through all those steps and let us know if it's worth that many steps.😜

[@JJW77]

I am planning to use vinegar to soften a blanket. Could I use distilled vinegar instead of white vinegar? Thanks!!!

[@chaundra2456]

Thanks for a great video! ☺️

[@juneleesenclair1045]

A lady I watched, just washed with dollar tree dollar shampoo and rinsed with conditioner. Then used a baby laundry soap, and her normal rinse, stuff. Then dryer sheet it on warm. She made a crib size blanket. The first part was in her large sink. I was thinking why not the washer on delicate? ...

[@katzrule34]

1/4 cup water? Isn't that 1/4 cup vinegar?

[@crossroadskeepsakes7250]

Ty for your help

[@lindasardonell2554]

Honestly after a few regular washes it will soften naturally.

[@mare6930]

I think with the Caron One Pound it really depends on the color, ex."Midnight Blue" is suuper soft

[@thisislife1773]

Hair conditioner would work better with natural fibers, or the hair yarns, wouldn't it?

[@valeriemcgruder9392]

Nice blanket. That does seem to be a lot. Does it keep it soft from there on out or do you have to redo it now and then? Thanks for the information.

[@debbiegsyarnylove8424]

I just wash it on delicate and dry and it comes out soft enough

[@wolflover528]

If you're going to shampoo and condition your project I personally recommend going to the dollar store to buy the products. Spending $2.12 for both shampoo and conditioner, compared to buying Suave or great value brand products. I swear by going to the dollar store before anywhere for certain things.

[@claudetteduncan8037]

LOL! I think, I will Stick with the Vinegar Instructions.🤔 Don't have Time to Soften 1 item all Day. 😳Plus the Price of the Condition, Water and Patients Doing it. 😱 Thanks Again. Oh, Love the Pretty Baby Blanket. 😊

[@SummersTipsandStitches]

Thanks for watching!

[@yolainnemaryderenthal7283]

How does this technique help out crochet tops made with this yarn? Will it lose all its definition and contour onto the body?

[@marcus09di]

Hi that's good to know I used baby detergent and Sauvital clothes softener Also which vinegar you said white or brown ? , likes your tutorial, thank you