Alpaca and cashmere socks tend to be lighter, warmer and more comfortable to wear than even the finest merino. With this in mind, I pretty much stocked my entire winter foot under shoe riding wardrobe around the two materials.

I have been very careful to wash them in cold water and dry them on a rack inside and away from the sun. Despite these precautions, several pairs have completely felted. They have gone from perfect fitting soft wearing to very tight bricks.

Is this stuff dry clean only?