Repairing woollies

Former Member

I have about 5 jumpers which have been attacked by moths! I haven't the foggiest about how I repair them, and one of which needs to be dyed another colour. Should I do that first?

So repairing techniques and wool dye suggestions please!

Also does freezing woollies that have been moth attacked actually kill off the larvae?

Thank you!!

Former Member

If it's definitely wool (or another animal fibre), you can dye it with food colouring or kool aid. It's permanent and washable and much cheaper than actual wool dye.

This won't work on synthetics or blends, though!

Former Member

It's a hand-me -down cashmere jumper currently in a horrible shade of grayish brown. Could I dye it most colours? Would I be ok mixing up a colour or would I need to buy the colour I wanted?

Former Member

It's like dying hair with a semi permanent dye. You can't go lighter, the dye will just layer over whatever colour is already there. You might be best with dark colours.

You can mix colours, test it out on a bit of kitchen roll to get an idea what you'll end up with!

Tutorial for yarn, but same idea applies:
http://mamafactured.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/tutorial-dyeing-yarn-with-kool-aid.html

Former Member

what about the repair jobs? How do i fix moth holes?

Former Member

Not sure, tbh. Maybe darning? Or you could sew on some artistically placed patches?

Former Member

But do I need to get tiny ammounts of matching wool? I could put a patch on one but not my gray wool military cardi jacket.