Golden rules for all crochet
- Cool or room-temperature water. Hot water shrinks cotton and felts wool.
- Press, don’t wring. Wringing twists the fibres and distorts the shape.
- Dry flat in the shade. Never hang it wet, and keep it out of strong sun.
- No bleach, no tumble dryer.
- Store somewhere dry with silica gel, because Indonesia is humid.
Want step-by-step instructions? Read how to care for crochet.
Care by yarn type
| Yarn | Washing | Drying | Storage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk cotton | Hand-wash, cool water, mild soap | Flat on a towel, in the shade | Folded or upright, with silica gel | May pill slightly. Use a fabric shaver. |
| Baby milk cotton | Hand-wash with baby soap; wash before first use | Flat, in the shade | Clean fabric bag | Rinse until completely soap-free. |
| 100% cotton | Hand-wash, cool water | Flat; hats over an upturned bowl | Folded | Can shrink in hot water. Softens with washing. |
| Acrylic | Hand-wash, or a gentle machine cycle in a mesh bag | Flat, dries quickly | Folded | Never iron directly. Distant steam is fine. |
| Cotton-poly | Hand-wash, cool water | Upright with a towel inside (bags) | Stuffed with paper to hold shape | Very strong. Reshape while damp. |
| Wool | Hand-wash, cool water, wool wash, no rubbing | Flat, away from heat | With mothballs or cedar | Warm water and rubbing cause felting. |
Care by product
Crochet bags
- Don’t overfill. Heavy items belong in a lined bag.
- Stuff with paper in storage.
- Dab small stains with a damp cloth. Don’t scrub.
- After washing, dry upright or lying down, never hanging by the straps.
Amigurumi
- Wipe the surface with a damp cloth for light dirt.
- Wash children’s toys thoroughly every 1–2 months.
- Make sure the stuffing is completely dry (1–2 days) so it doesn’t go mouldy.
- Reshape ears and arms while damp.
Crochet bouquets
- Don’t soak, because the stems contain wire.
- Dust weekly with a soft brush or a hair dryer on cool.
- Keep out of direct sunlight.
- Fluff squashed petals with your fingers.
Crochet clothing and hats
- Fold, don’t hang.
- Wash after 4–5 wears unless dirty.
- Dry flat and ease back to the original size.
- Dry bucket hats over an upturned bowl.
Reshaping (blocking)
Crochet that has stretched or skewed can often be saved.
- Wet it with cool water, then roll it in a towel to remove the water.
- Lay it out on foam mats or a thick towel at its original size.
- Pin the edges with rust-proof pins.
- Leave until completely dry.
For acrylic you can also use steam from an iron held a few centimetres away, as long as the iron doesn’t touch the crochet.
Dealing with pilling
Small bobbles where the fabric rubs are normal. Shave them gently with a fabric shaver or small scissors. Don’t pull them.
Need a repair?
If a strand breaks or a part comes loose on a LovelyCrochet piece, don’t cut it. Tie it off temporarily and send a photo to our WhatsApp. We’ll help repair it.