[Cutie Patootie]

Is there some secret to drying wool, because my soakers take days to dry?!
I thought about putting them outside, but I didn't want them to get faded or shrink from the heat.

So, I am at a loss. Right now I lay them over a dry rack over the tub. How do I get them to dry faster? I have had custom soakers made and the WAHM says, "I just lanolized them this evening and they will go out to you tomorrow". How do they do that?

:
If there is a secret, please let a mama in on it, because I am going nuts

waiting for my wool to dry...

 

[MyLittleWonders]

The only secret I've found is that my dryer came with this awesome rack that attaches inside ... I lay my wool on it, put it on high heat, and an hour or so later, have dry wool that doesn't shrink because they are just laying flat in there. Otherwise, no, I haven't heard of any other tricks.

 

[JohnnysGirl]

Try pointing a fan at them, or squeeze them in a towel... ?

To me, the long drying time is an excellent reason to simply have lots more wool on hand. :LOL

 

[MyLittleWonders]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butterflymom To me, the long drying time is an excellent reason to simply have lots more wool on hand. :LOL

:LOL :LOL :LOL :LOL :LOL

 

[SEEPAE]

do you wrap them in a towel?

i find that if I roll them in a towel and squeeze a little most the water comes out(the towel will be soaked) and the wool dry the next day

 

[Cutie Patootie]

Quote:

To me, the long drying time is an excellent reason to simply have lots more wool on hand. :LOL

Don't worry, I think I have that one down. :LOL

Quote:

The only secret I've found is that my dryer came with this awesome rack that attaches inside ... I lay my wool on it, put it on high heat, and an hour or so later, have dry wool that doesn't shrink because they are just laying flat in there.

Hey! I have one of those!

...and the wool really doesn't shrink on high heat? Now that I will have to try.

I do sqeeze it out in a towel. I roll it up and step on it, and lets just say that should be enough weight to get them babies to dry up quickly. :LOL
It usually takes at least 2 days for my wool to dry. Maybe my house is moist or something?

 

[MyLittleWonders]

of course now I'm worried that your wool will shrink! :LOL But seriously, I haven't had any issues with mine ... I think (could be wrong ) that wool needs heat and agitation to shrink. Maybe try it first with some wool you don't like

or put it on air dry with no heat.

 

[15yrsbetweenboys]

I dry outside when possible-I have yet to have shrinking from that-and to minimize the risk of fading my pretty colors-I just put them on a drying rack (we can't have lines here) and set it in the shade right next to the house-my wool dries in a few hours like that

BTW-when dying pieces for applique, I use the microwave and occassionally the liquid boils-but the wool remains soft and stretchy-so I think you do need more than just the high temperature to felt the wool

HTH
Shan
p.s. I have been looking all over for one of those racks for my drier

 

[Knittin' in the Shade]

Quote:

The only secret I've found is that my dryer came with this awesome rack that attaches inside ... I lay my wool on it, put it on high heat, and an hour or so later, have dry wool that doesn't shrink because they are just laying flat in there.

Holy cow, is that what that rack on top of our new house's dryer is?!?!? VERY COOL!!

Anyway, I usually run it through the spin cycle in my washer (gentle cycle spin) and then lay it on one of those wire shelf things so there's circulation underneath and above it.

 

[Brisen]

A fan definately helps cut my drying time. I hang them wherever we are and have a ceiling fan on. I don't know what I'll do in the winter, likely a table fan. Of course, the air in the house should be pretty dry by then, maybe it won't be an issue.

I have to try the towel thing, I'm always too lazy to get one out and have to deal with drying it, but it sounds like it would help, and likely be less stressful than me squeezing the wool. Mine are felted covers, though, so probably less of an issue.

 

[ustasmom]

How about using that rack with air only, or maybe low heat? I wouldn't do high heat.

My trick for quicker drying wool is to roll it up in a towel and walk away for a few minutes. Then I come back and re-roll it on the drier half of the towel and walk away again. That works pretty well. Oh, and I turn it inside out for some time and hang it to dry. Then I switch it back to right side out for the rest of the time.

 

[molly54]

I run my soakers through the spin cycle. It does help. Then I hang them outside to dry. I have a little round clothes line with clothes pins on it.
Good Luck!

 

[danaalex]

i wrap mine in a towel and press against it as hard as i can. then i either hang them directly under and air condition vent, or hang them outside. they dry pretty fast either way.

 

[allformyboys]

Spin cycle on the washer!! That is the ONLY way mine dry faster than 3 days too! (takes about 24 hours that way) You just put the wool in the bottom of the washer and turn it to spin, I don't even put the lid down (I stick my finger in the little button) and watch it spin for like 30 seconds, they come out feeling nearly dry!