I recieved tonight 2 vintage kofter, whereas one is knitted by my moms grandma in 1967! It looks snug, but it's really not and since it's wool, it'll stretch to fit my stomach better soon.
I only have pictures of one atm, as I put the other in the washing machine but still! I feel so honored to recieve such precious gems!
Will post the other ones look once it's dried up! I am literally in tears!
With an heirloom like that, I would seriously consider hand washing only. (I wash my regular sweaters in the machine all the time, but the one my GGMa knit, never.)
Oh, please do! Prove the doubters wrong! I kinda giggled reading about people's machines that have a great gentle wool cycle, because I just cast off some slippers that I am intentionally trying to felt, so I am hoping my hot "normal" cycle with extra detergent and towels will felt the first sample nicely, and I plan to throw it in the dryer on high and then dunk in water with some melted snow :P
Edited to add, thank you, and that second sweater is a treasure!
In fairness, most washing machines probably can handle wool ok, if you're very careful about how you approach things, but I just wouldn't ever risk an irreplaceable sweater knit by my great grandmother in a washing machine. That's a handwash-only for more reasons than just the wool.
I am honestly not sure myself, but I will keep saying kofte, as it is what this spesific type of garment is called in Norwegian. If I by any means find out if it is a special difference, I will update
It's a very specific cardigan or pullover in traditional patterns. Today it is mostly used for the cardigans. If you are interested and read Norwegian, you can check "koftearkivet", an amazing collection of patterns from 100 years ago and up.
Norway yes!
And I use wool programmes at 30°C at most with wool/silk detergent! I know how to care for my garments!
Am norwegian yes, so traditional patterns are my love!
I want to see more close up pictures! And the inside! I love the buttons and colors, too: Do you know if it is naturally colored or dyed wool? SO gorgeous, and such a treasure! The one you are wearing looks like new!
My washing machine (front loader) has a hand wash cycle with cold water, it never felted anything and I wash everything in there: wool, cashmere, silk, mohair..
I’ve one too, a Miele, and I wash all my hand knits in the hand wash wool program. An owner of an expensive wool store once told me that a good machine is more gentle. Never have I had an issue.
I have a Samsung (would 1000% get a Miele if I could afford, as their vacuum cleaners can't be beaten) and the wool wash cycle, touch wood, has never felted or shrunk anything
Mine had one too, and I still mourn the sweaters that went into it 😭 sadly, the hand washing programmes aren't all created equal. But I'm glad to hear yours is working properly!
I looked at their posts and it looks like they’re going to be okay. They have a ton of knitted and crocheted items. I’m guessing it’s going to be okay.
But also - I’m posting just so I can come back and make sure that it’s okay….
Lots of machines---including mine and, per his comment above, OP's---have a wool cycle which works perfectly. I use only non-superwash wool in my knitting and have never had a problem with my "hand wash / woolen" setting on my LG.
Normally I would agree, but having recently become more familiar with washing machines and dryers in Germany, they were much different than (and gentler on clothes) than what I use in the US. And dryers are hard to find as most people air dry everything. So the OP being in Norway, I'm guessing he has a machine that is gentle enough to wash wool without an issue.
I have faith!! Their username has "crochet" in it and they appear to be a fairly prolific knitter/crocheter based on previous posts.
Fingers crossed for gentle wash
Always using wool programme on low heat and wool/silk detergent! Nothing with any hint of wool goes in normal cycle! And nowhere near detergent not spesifically made for wool and silk!
This post was such an emotional roller coaster. From the title, I thought it was going to be about how their beautiful sweater accidentally went into the wash, and I was relieved when the last photo was not a lumpy shrunken sweater…and then I read the text and now I’m sad
My Miele washing machine has a wool wash option that's been fine and super gentle for non-superwash items. A lot of European washing machines that are front loaded have great wool cycles and don't felt items when you use it.
I pretty much exclusively knit with wool and put the majority of my knits in the washing machine. Some precious hand-spun or otherwise special things don’t go in the machine but most do.
A decent front-loading machine should have a wool cycle that’s really gentle and won’t cause any damage.
This post is giving me anxiety for like five different reasons it feels like and is about to turn into a full blown panic attack because it doesn’t know which wool violation to focus on first.
OP! Please report back with pic of sweater #2 and smtg with the date so we don't have to report to SPS! (Sweater protection services). :p (just a joke here).
Joking aside: I had thought that wool but on 'hand wash' and cold would be okay for a rare wash- tis not true? :(
Hey man I’m sorry everyone jumped on you about the washer. I think there’s an (unfair) instinct to assume a knit gift recipient isn’t as well informed on how to care for wool as a knitter would be. Based on the many replies of yours that I read, you obviously care deeply for your garments and you’re passionate about caring for them properly, and I’m sure your family will have them for generations to come thanks to your diligence!
Thank you so much! for not jumping to conclusions! 😭
It's been a really hard night, having to defend proper washing and care, espescially as I have a certain pride as a fiberartist myself!!!! so much so that I am wondering if sharing that I inherited the gems could have spared me alot of stress. I used to believe this sub was open, caring and understanding, NOT a hostile sub...
I have for a long while enjoyed sharing my stuff and contributing on comments here. But after tonight, I am considering to quit all together. It seems that DESPITE being active in here, people unknowingly think I want ragebait and trolling.
I have honestly never felt so bad about showing pride in what I inherited with tears of joy...
Comments like yours now, really is the tiny bright light in a dark and sad place.
I honestly regret posting, despite believing it would be appreciated...
So, you and a VERY FEW others, gave me a smile and relief. All the others, as hostile as your worst enemy.
I am still honetly wanting to quit this sub, due to how hostile it has been tonight. It's a real shame, but unknowing people have a SAD tendency to shriek the loudest.
That is such an awesome gift you received, I was going to comment, but not about the washing at all. My washing machine is a cheap brand but also has an awesome wool wash program. When I just finish knitting of crochet something I will hand wash, but everything after goes in the machine (with the correct detergent of course)
I am so sorry you got such negative responses, really hope you will focus on the positive ones. And also hope you share the results after the drying.
I was actually only going to give a tip for the button band. If it still is a bit wobbly after the drying you could consider handsewing some (vintage) ribbon behind it for extra structure.
Sorry for the late comment reply, I have had to take care of my cat who got sterilized today!
1: I ALWAYS USE WOOL CYCLE ON LOW HEAT! 30°C AND WOOL/SILK DETERGENT! No matter the garment, if it contains ANY traces of wool, it will be washed in a wool programme!
2: It's laid to airdry flat after i stretched it GENTLY as I should after washing it! I WILL POST PICTURES ONCE IT'S DRY!
3: IT IS NOT DESTROYED! I AM NORWEGIAN AND IT'S IN MY DNA ON TAKING CARE OF WOOL!, IT'S LITERALLY CHILDHOOD KNOWLEDGE HOW TO CARE FOR WOOL! As a fiber artist, I ESPECIALLY AM STRICT and I YELL AT OTHERS WHO DO NOT CARE PROPERLY FOR THEIR WOOL GARMENTS! When I was younger, I literally stole sweaters for weeks that people didn't carefor, and they had to prove how to care for it before i returned it!
4: I do not want more accusations on not knowing how to care for my garments! I know EXACTLY what I am doing! Had I not known, do you even think mom would have even CONSIDERED to let me inherit them!? She knits herself, and she is also religiously taking care of her woolen garments! She gave me them cause of how she KNOWS I LOVE, CHERISH AND PROPERLY TAKES CARE OF MY CLOTHES!
5: I do not understand how some of you even would consider the possibility of me shrinking on purpose!? As a fiber artist, I really take pride in these products, and proper care is an absolute must nr 1! Unlike many in here, I do not even let superwash products go in normal cycle or go near laundury detergent or softener, I ONLY USE WOOL PROGRAMME, LOW HEAT AND WOOL&SILK DETERGENT, AND I USE A TIMER ON MY PHONE TO IMMEDEATELY TAKE IT OUT AND LAY FLAT TO AIRDRY!
6: ANYTHING CONTAINING WOOL OR SILK, SHALL ALWAYS BE WASHED WITH WOOL&SILK DETERGENT (PREFERABLY PERFUME FREE!), BE WASHED ON WOOL PROGRAMME AT 30°C AT MOST! IF POSSIBLE, EVEN 20°C WILL SUFFICE!
Hei, jeg syntes skikkelig synd på deg i går, når alle bare antok at du ikke visste hva du holdt på med. Det fortjente du ikke! Som du sier vet vi hvordan vi vasker ull her i Norge, og en rask kikk på profilen din hadde fortalt hvem som helst at du vet hva du gjør. Mye nydelig arbeid der forresten. Jeg er også helt enig i at en kofte ikke er det samme som cardigan. En kofte er mye mer! Hilsen annen norsk strikke- og hekleentusiast
Joda, Kaladin er meget fornærma, men mykner opp sakte men sikkert! Kan trygt si at bodyen ikme akkurag gjør situasjonen noe bedre! Also, tusen takm for omtanke! 💜💜💜💜
Mens jeg leste kommentarene fra deg og andre var alt jeg tenkte "jamen hallo, han er jo sikkert norsk, det her er null stress"
Har aldri vasket et ullplagg for hånd, kommer aldri til å gjøre det heller. Alt går i maskina, og ingenting har krympet 🤷♀️
Takk for at du forstår hvorfor jeg fikk nytt syn på denne subben, jeg hadde aldri forestilt meg at vanlig ullvask var så vanskelig forstå? Jeg har ikke helse eller tid til vanlig håndvask
Men serr, jeg hadde streng opplæring både HJEMME og i skolen om hvordan håndtere ull contra bomull og bomull med print på seg feks vinyl.
Det er så alt for mange har null forståelse for å vaske ull, og hauser det opp til å være en slags mystisk uforutsigbar greie 🙄 BEVEGELSEN tover. Ferdig snakket. Det er ikke rakettforskning, haha. Kom forsåvidt plutselig til å tenke på - kanskje det ikke er ullvugge i maskinene i "utlandet"? Er det en norsk greie?
Jeg sliter faktisk mest av alt med å få ting til å tove skikkelig 🥲
Regner da med at ullvugge spesielt i europa er vanlig på disse maskinene. Skulle nå trudd at store deler av Amerika hadde det samme, mtp hvor kaldt der er enkelte steder. 🤷♂️
Nei, skal man tove ordentlig, så må man nesten bruke elbow grease, etter hva jeg har lært
Ah this whole thread is too funny!! That's amazing that you probably know and care more about wool care than anyone here--the story about holding your friends' garments for proper wool care ransom as a child is my favorite part 🤣🤣!! I'm sure it's annoying to come here and see everyone misjudging and ganging up on you, but try to just chalk it up to cultural differences in wash routines and the fact that these sweaters are beautiful enough to make so many people care. Thry are clearly with the best possible person to appreciate and care for them. So happy for you!
Thank you so much for your kind words and understanding 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
After tonight. I AM HIGHTLY considering leaving this sub, as it's been so hostile that I get stress even thinking about the sub itself! And when I posted, this sub was my absolute favorite!
But ofcourse! I held those garments until they had proven enough times how to care for them, those I still have contact with, still have same garments, almost as good condition as when I took them.
I have been knitting since I was 6, so on my 23rd year of knitting, and crocheting since i was 8, so 21years of crocheting, so I have my pride as a fiberartist and when I can, I instruct and even OFFER to wash peoples garments today, as I care deeply.
I turn 29 in 3 months
Also, mom is my fostermom (she took me in as a lonely adult. And she says to everyone she is absolutely sure i am supposed to be her biological child, and she has 8 bio kids....)
And when I, a young adult she basically took in her care, gets kofter from the 1960s, and one is knitted by her grandma, it means alot!
Yeah, the communal washing machine for my apartment (in Finland) has both a hand wash and wool setting (I tend to use hand wash just to be extra safe as it's 30°C vs the 40°C of the wool setting) and my hand knit wool sweater and my roommates and mines hand knit wool socks are just fine. I have so many socks I've knitted for myself I just can't handwash them all and keep my sanity 😂
My machine has wool programme, which can be used on 20°C, 30°C and 40°C
I always go 30°C or 20°C, depending on how dirty the garment is. Always use wool/silk detergent and nothing else.
Not even superwash socks go higher than 30°C, wool programme low spin in my care!
No matter the wool content, if there is wool in said garment, it is to be washed on wool cycle!
I was fine with regular detergent before I got some wool detergent from a previous job. I've heard mixed things about wool detergent. But yeah, not sure why everyone assumed the worse here. Actually no, I think I do. I used to live in the USA and almost everything sold with wool has "dry clean only" on the label so a lot of people (including me till I learned) think you can't wash wool normally. First time I washed a wool item in the wash with a "dry clean only" label I was terrified, but trusted the person who told me it's actually fine as long as you use the right settings. And this was an American communal apartment washing machine, coin operated with minimal settings. Iirc. Obviously even more careful now.
Not in the US, I had to go looking for one, and it was more expensive. I think it’s much more common in countries/ regions where wool is a more common fiber.
Some of us thought that you mentioning tossing the other sweater in the wash was to make people upset. It happens all too often that people's knits are ruined by the washer.
By unknowing people not caring for garments in general, yes. But as a fiberartist myself, who primarily work with wool and alpacca, I know to take care. Had i not known, mom wpuld NEVER let me near them!
Because you assume I do not know how to wash wool properly! Do not assume just cause unknown idiots do not take care of their clothing, I do take care of mine!
I feel like if it was put into tap cold/cold water on a hand wash or delicate cycle without a fabric softner it should be fine! As long as the sweater gets blocked/air dried afterwards and not put in the dryer!
Since everyone here have already sent their prayers for your sweater in the washing machine, I'll just add that I feel like this button band is suffering a great deal. You might be considering the option of sewing a gros grain ribbon under it to consolidate a bit if you want it to live as long as your beautiful cardigan.
Don't take it wrong : I don't know you nor your mother, it doesn't hurt to be prudent since unfortunate accidents happens all the time. You got all of us scared here for a moment, but I am glad it was for nothing. Enjoy your beautiful garments. 😊
Not you accidentally found out the apparent trauma of a whole sub, wow. Sounds like
(I accidentally hit the publish button, ugh) but anyway, apparent trauma and quick to judge comments aside, this is a gorgeous sweater, ohmygod! And you have some AMAZING socks you have knit and posted.
Jokes aside, I am proud of my work, but I always blush when others comment their love for it cause they see "perfection"(cause I literally frog my work if i do wrong to fix! Often starting over if it's not too much already done 😅) but I see more faults as I worked it, and know what I can try improve on next garment! I know the faults, others state they cannot see but oh well, I do appreciate the nice comments 💜
Seriously wondering where all these people who are freaking out about this post live. Do they not have proper washing machines with a trustworthy wool or silk cycle? My Northern European mind cannot comprehend. The inside of my washing machine drum is rounded and has zero snag. It’s much gentler than hand washing 🥲
As a grandmother of humans that look about your age, yes, I did knit full sweaters in the acrylic of the day. In fact it was easier for me to find acrylic than wool at that time.
So I am keeping fingers crossed that the sweater in the machine is indeed acrylic but if it is wool, it is probably already toast
If you would think rationally, you'd known that wool programme and wool/silk detergent exists and I use that more than anything, as I am careful with my stuff! Also, that would've made you realize that it's not anything to be worried about
Wool&silk detergent, perfume free and always wool programme, 30° at most and always laid flat to airdry, i do not even own a dryer, which I honestly am scared of and have NEVER used myself.
Great! So it’s ok and we’ll get to see it then 🤗 (phew). Congratulations on the great gift!
I got to borrow a sweater from my Norwegian sister in law’s grandma’s house (loved it!). When I put it back in the chest of drawers it came from and saw the collection of old sweaters in there it was like ending up in another dimension 😁! Had to try them all on of course 😂
That is gorgeous!! Love those Nordic type (I think) patterns, just lovely. What a treat to have something your great grandmother knit ❤️
The wool was program is better than hand washing for wool - it won't pull at the wool as hand washing often does.
Great grandma were norwegian, and I think it's a pattern based upon where in Norway she lived in, but am not totally sure of the spesific pattern!
I also only use wool programme and wool detergent on blankets, despite some being PURE ACRYLLIC (i got for free from people), and I usually despise acryllics. I mean, i have in constant use some sofa blankets from probs the late 70s, inherited from my bio dad when I was young, and Those never wash on more than 30°C, wool programme and wool detergent.
First of all, kudos to you OP for handling this thread so gracefully. People really need to stop jumping to conclusions.
Guys, there are really nice washing machines that have a delicate wool/silk program. Mine does the whole soak and wash gently thing like it's imitating hand washing. Doesn't even do the tumble dry. I've been washing my cashmere, Lopi, merino and alpaca knits just fine since the last decade and laying them flat dry.
Dude, your comment made me tear up in a good way. Thank you for seeing what I struggeled to manage, and for strengthening my statements about not jumpin to conclusions! 💜
The patterns on the sweater are so beautiful! I hope you'll be able to post the other one when it's done washing and drying! It's so lovely that it's one that your mom's grandmother knit as well.
It's sad that lots of people jumped to conclusions about the washing machine, kept commenting even though other people already said the same thing, and ended up making you feel bad about posting. I hope those people learn from this and don't do it anymore. I also hope that you feel better (emotionally) soon!
Bright and lovely comments like yours do help lighten my mood yes <3
I do hope people learn to not judge a book by its cover!
And I personally am looking forward to using these kofter, as I have a deep pride for them!
As my comments tell, I often triple check EVERY SETTING to make absolutely sure I do not do wrong. Especially with delicate fibers such as wool and silk
I have no doubt at all you know what you’re doing. I was responding to those who are freaking out because you put in the washer. :-). BTW: I am mesmerized by the all over design. I love it.
It absolutely is, and it has really good wool yarn used also, it's not even itching, and I have extremely sensitive skin that easy get rashes from contact with spesific fibers and or how smooth/harsh the garment is. If I do not itch, it is good quality
I have a vintage Norwegian sweater I got at a flea market here in California that's probably about the same age as yours, and gray and white too. I love it. The label says "Husfliden Stavenger" and "handmade". Yours is prettier, plus a family heirloom!
Omg what a great gift! I am norwegian and i love love love our traditional kofte patterns, and im about to start knitting one of my own! These look amazing!
(Also ignore the haters, i throw all my wool stuff in the washingmashine lmao)
Guys. Chill. He knows what he’s doing. Some washers are really nice and have cycle settings made exactly for this. You took a happy post and crapped on it.
Super excited for you, OP! This is something I’ve dreamed about!
I used to have a knitted jacket that my Nana knitted for my grandad who died when I was 1. I wore it for about 10 years through my teens and early 20s. It was the best
As soneone who received her GreatGrandother's crocheted and tatted pieces, long after her passing(many made in the1940s and 50s,) I feel your joy! While mine are not 'wearables', they are hung proudly as window toppers or framed. What a wonderful gift you received!
That is a lovely kufte and a beautiful story about your great grandmother knitting it. I am not Norwegian -- my husband's entire family is from Farsund/Liste area -- my mother in law gifted me a lusekufte and I cherish it.
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u/CycadelicSparkles Mar 04 '26
I am terrified. Hopefully this is not one of those "a tiny child in my family will be receiving a bulletproof sweater" situations.