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Tips for Dealing with (and Preventing) Clothes Moths in Your Stash

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moth infestationOnce upon a time we had an infestation of moths in our house, but thank goodness they weren’t clothes moths. These are the moths that eat natural fibers, including our knit sweaters and unused yarn if they can get to it.

Knit Darling has dealt with an infestation in the past, and she has some great tips for how to store yarn and knit items so that you hopefully won’t attract moths in the first place (short version: store everything clean and sealed in plastic) and how to get rid of the moths and their eggs if you do get them.

This is a horrible problem I don’t wish on anyone, and I know I have been really lucky with my haphazard yarn storage methods (read: storing yarn in cardboard boxes in the attic for years) to not have had a problem. As I’m going through my stash and trying to use more of it, I’m definitely planning to store what I keep in better ways.

What about you? Any moth horror stories to inspire the rest of us?

[Image via Knit Darling.]

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Comments

  1. After finding moths, larvae etc I did alot of research. I froze my yarn for 2 days bagged it in ziploc vac bags ( although half didnt work) I looked a long time for a product safe enough to use on clothing and everything I read recommended at least 0.5% Permethrin but no cleaning?spray product had it. Finally found a name-Sawyer’s Insect Repellent at some forum for campers to use on clothng and tents!
    i found it in the Camping dept of Walmart and used it to spray all my containers rugs, floor cupboards etc. Hasn’t been that long so fingers still crossed. Have read they will get thru sealed plastic it needs to be taped as well

Have you read?

Knit and Felt Some Tabi Style Slippers

The felted slipper craze that began last year doesn’t seem like it’s fading away. The Sailor Slippers, often striped knit and felted slippers made with super bulky yarn, because the project of the moment late last year (check out more knit slipper options in this post all about sailor slippers) and they’re still consistently popular with knitters.

Which makes sense because they are fun and fast to knit, and seeing them go from this giant thing to something that actually fits a foot feels a little magical. 

I have always loved felting (in fact my first book was about felting knitting) and it’s always fun for me to see people rediscover this technique. 

If you’ve knit enough plain slippers to fit all the feet you know, maybe it’s time to stitch up some tabi style slippers instead. 

Maymade Knits has designed these cute tabi ballerina slippers, made with bulky yarn and felted. They’re worked flat at first and then in rounds, and are available in 10 EU sizes (the Internet tells me add 31 to your American shoe size to get your EU size). The designer says the slippers are meant to have a close fit and you should choose a size a little smaller than your foot for the ideal fit. 

The pattern includes a video tutorial along with the written pattern. 

You can grab this pattern on Ravelry. The same designer has her own version of the striped felted slipper as well, called Sarah’s Striped Slippers. These are worked in super bulky yarn and have a contrasting foot and a striped body. These are knit flat and seamed and there are 7 size options available. Check that pattern out here if you’re looking for a more traditional slipper shape. They also look roomier so you can wear them with socks if you like. 

[Photo: Maymade Knits]