Alpaca and Cashmere Felting Problem

[Matthew J]

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?

[shirk]

Can't speak for Cashmere, but Alpaca should be fine.

I have a few pairs of Dahlgren socks, they are a blend of Alpaca, Merino and Synthetic and we just machine wash in cool then hang dry.

Great socks.

[brunop]

so. we are white as hank! figger yer careful sock washin'! and where can i get the best pedicure?

goddam! jus' throw yer effin' socks in the effin' wash!

don't be a nancyboy.

outside of tube socks?

socks are socks.

[brunop]

i was just funnin' above. i've never worn cashmere or alpaca socks. i've lately become enamored with darned tough socks. i'd like to have some cashmere though.

[Matthew J]

i was just funnin' above. i've never worn cashmere or alpaca socks. i've lately become enamored with darned tough socks. i'd like to have some cashmere though.

The advantage of cashmere - and more so alpaca - is the socks are light and thin but very warm, meaning I can wear the same shoes all year round.

Another advantage of alpaca anyway is there are a number of small farms in Michigan's UP that supply a locally owned mill there. So instead of funnelling my cash to some big corporation that buys its socks from a factory that thinks nothing of locking its workers in a burning building, I get it from people I can actually ride my bike and meet.

But of course being tough and cool means not caring about people burning to death to save you a few bucks, right?

[Rhys]

What pH soap are you using?

[Matthew J]

What pH soap are you using?

Good question.

Been using this but it does not appear to say: Put it work with Kookaburra Delicate

A disadavantage of buying cottage industry stuff is the socks do not come with cleaning instructions.

[Chad]

[QUOTE=Matthew J;466855]The advantage of cashmere - and more so alpaca - is the socks are light and thin but very warm, meaning I can wear the same shoes all year round.

Another advantage of alpaca anyway is there are a number of small farms in Michigan's UP that supply a locally owned mill there. So instead of funnelling my cash to some big corporation that buys its socks from a factory that thinks nothing of locking its workers in a burning building, I get it from people I can actually ride my bike and meet.

But of course being tough and cool means not caring about people burning to death to save you a few bucks, right?[/QUOTE]

A bit harsh, no? He likes tough socks.

Back on topic, can't say, hear or see alpaca without thinking this...

[Matthew J]

A bit harsh, no? He likes tough socks.

Likes it tough but can't take it harsh?

And tube socks are tough? In sitcoms they always seem to be the badge of dork.

[Ben]

Let me see if I can stop this slapfight. "Darn Tough" is a domestically produced brand of wool socks. Now you two hug and stroke each other's socks.
socks.jpg

i was just funnin' above. i've never worn cashmere or alpaca socks. i've lately become enamored with darned tough socks. i'd like to have some cashmere though.

But of course being tough and cool means not caring about people burning to death to save you a few bucks, right?

Likes it tough but can't take it harsh?

[Matthew J]

Well, I'll be darned!

Interestingly the website does not have any wash instructions. Although I've never had any trouble with wool cold water in Kookabura and air dried.