UPDATE: Solution for sweater - itchy wool & fire ant blend

Anonymous

I bought this sweater, and absolutely love the way it fits. Not boxy like you'd think; shows my shape nicely without clinging. However, it's as itchy as all get out. I took it off less than a minute after I put it on.

Maybe a long-sleeved ruched or mock turtleneck shirt underneath would do the trick. Thoughts?

http://www.coldwatercreek.com/.....6&ref

12 years ago

Dressing

36 replies

Latest reply was from Vildy

RunswithDolphins

Active Member

Ouch! Such a pretty sweater so maybe a long sleeve turtleneck under would work nicely. Maybe try a black or even a copper colour for a nice complement to the cold and black. One of the reviews said it was itchy probably due to the alpaca or maybe it's the metallic thread.

12 years ago

viva

Veteran

Oh -- that is too bad. It's such a nice sweater and I can imagine it looks great! But itchiness is so terrible, and I noticed in the comments and one woman had to return it because it was so scratchy.
I think a turtleneck could work although I do love the neckline. Is the edge terrible on your skin, or could you wear a thin low-neck long sleeved tee so that it doesn't ruin the neckline?

12 years ago

Anonymous

Ouch! Your title is compelling. I'd return it and keep looking. It sounds like an orphan in the making.

12 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm with Joy, but I have so little tolerance for itchiness these days. I even have a sweater that I bought last winter that is in danger of being orphaned. For some reason I don't remember it bothering me then, but it bothers me now. Between the fact that it itches and the sleeves are a bit short, I'm thinking I should let it go.

12 years ago

Amy

(website)

Veteran

return it.

12 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

If it's itchy you will never want to wear it. I would return it - see if they will pay for return shipping!

12 years ago

Anonymous

I would return it.

12 years ago

Word Lily

Veteran

I would return it, sadly. Those kind of itches have a way of making themselves known even through an underlayer, in my experience.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I'm going to try it with an underlayer first. If that doesn't work, I'll promptly return it and cross my fingers I'll get a refund. Meanwhile, I'll tattoo a reminder on my forehead not to buy any more sweaters that have wool in them--except Merino, which doesn't bother me in the least.

12 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

If you can return it, please return it. You will never reach for it.

I can also tell you from experience, that itchy sweaters can get to you through turtlenecks.

If you can't return it, then I would at least try the turtleneck.

12 years ago

pil

Veteran

The one itchy sweater I wear only comes out at the holidays and that is over a blouse. It is close to going to the consignment shop. I think I'd keep looking if I were you.

12 years ago

Glory

Veteran

I say return it. If it was that itchy so quickly no amount of under layers will help especially when you warm up or have to put a jacket over top.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I've owned itchy things before, and under layers always fixed the problem. This is the first I've heard of the itch going all the way through the fabric. For this reason, I plan to try a turtleneck underneath to see if it works. I'd hate to return such a beautiful sweater if there's a simple layering solution to the problem.

12 years ago

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Whether or not it will itch through layers has to do with how long the guard hairs in the fiber are. Some have really poky guard hairs that go right through everything. I'm convinced they'd go through leather armor.

Some breeds of sheep have really tough guard hairs; others have been bred so their hairs are more uniformly soft. Shetland sheep, for instance, have really coarse guard hairs and a softer under layer. Merino sheep are renowned for having some of the nicest, softest wool all around.

12 years ago

karymk

Veteran

Return!

12 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

I'd also return it. If it's just a little itchy it's normally fixable with an underlayer, but I'd be hesitant to keep it if it's that bad!

12 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I'd return too. Can't stand a minute of itch.

12 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Life is too short for itchy sweaters. I would return it.

It could be the alpaca. You may have an allergy or sensitivity. Most people find it heavenly soft (and in fact, I do too when feeling alpaca yarn or even knitting with it) but I think I have a slight allergy to it, where it starts to prickle my skin if I wear it for more than a few minutes, especially as I warm up.

ETA: On the other hand it could be the polyester! I find some polys to be itchier than any wool I've ever tried.

12 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Also no matter how covered I am, if itchy sweaters touch the back of my neck I am DONE!

12 years ago

Anonymous

Thanks, everyone. I don't know what to think. It might be the alpaca. ??? When I went home for lunch, I went into my closet to change clothes because I was roasting in the sweater I wore to work. While there, I handled that sweater again, and it didn't feel at all itchy to the touch. I wonder if it's something inside the sweater--something that's not felt outside the sweater--like maybe the metallic threads. Lord knows it's confusing!

12 years ago

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I love the title of this thread!

I usually find metallic or sequined pieces to be itchy for some reason. Clothing also feels itchier if I'm warm, even if it is not itchy at other times. Could that be it?

I have very little tolerance for itch, so I personally would not count on an underlayer doing the trick.

12 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Wearing turtlenecks works for me in terms of my metal allergy and necklaces. I'd try it.

Btw, I *totally* have to remember the term fire ant blend. That is a superior turn of phrase.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I heard the "fire ant blend" term while watching an episode of "The Big Bang Theory." Leonard's girlfriend bought him a pair of itchy wool pants, which he deliberately threw into the washing machine in an attempt to ruin them.

12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

If you can't return it, burn it.

Nothing defeats the itch.

12 years ago

Anonymous

Ruth you are so funny! But I'm sorry about the sweater. The neckline and sleeve length would make it hard to layer under--you'd need long underwear or the like in the exact same cut. Unless of course you want it to show, which is another look entirely. I vote to return because like others have said, those steel-wool like fibers have a way of working themselves through the base layer.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I guess I'll return it, then. Thanks, ladies. I appreciate the advice from those who have been there and done that.

12 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I was thinking it was the metallic threads that were the culprit. Frankly, I'd return it. Life's too short to be uncomfortable.

12 years ago

Glory

Veteran

Oh my Ruth that reminds me of the Big Bang where Leonard (Lenny) has to wear the itchy red sweater as penance for not returning a DVD 7 years ago... too funny.

12 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

Ruth, have you ever tried WinterSilks? They make shirt underthings. I have a silk long underwear top that I wear beneath my clothes in the winter for warmth. You could find one with long sleeves and a neck that's cut low enough so as not to show above the sweater neck. The silk is paper-thin and wouldn't add bulk. The sweater is gorgeous!

12 years ago

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