[klrober]

I'm not sure if this can even be done since I'm a fairly new knitter & brand new to this Intarsia knitting but I am in the process of sewing & lining a backpack for my 14 yr old granddaughter. My question is I know this backpack will take a beating & is there anything you can spray on the knit fabric to kind of protect it more from hard use , dirt, etc? The skeins are a worsted wgt & had wanted her to pick a more sturdy cotton/acrylic or wool. But maybe I'm wrong too. She just liked the colors in the worsted!!!
Anyone who does this Intarsia knitting I have to take my hat off to you as this was one of the hardest things I have ever done plus working from a chart that I also had to learn but now I can say I have done it & won't do it again!
Thanks for anyone's help. Kathy

 

[wordancer]

I did a quick google 'spray fabric protection' to see what I could find.

http://shop.myboatstore.com/high-tech-fabric-guard-16-oz-spray-bottle/?gclid=CPeUkaHK6bgCFYqi4Aod-jEA3A

http://www.walmart.com/ip/13281231?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=21486607510&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=19880599990&veh=sem

http://www.decorativefabricsdirect.com/_p/780011.htm

 

[Joy Marshall]

Yes, there certainly are fabric sprays out there. The only knits I have sprayed were knitted and felted bags and I used Scotchguard.

 

[klrober]

Thanks for your quick replies. Looks like the Scotchguard is the one to get as its good on most every kind of fabric. Kathy

 

[past]

I would look in the shoe department for that spray that is used on shoes. I had some shoes that I bought that were soft and fuzzy, kind of like a velour. I bought a spray that was to protect them when they got wet so that they didn't spot or hold the dirt. That was 3 years ago when my daughter got married so I have no clue what it was I used, but I would think that anyone working in a shoe store would know what products they have for protecting shoes.

 

[AmyKnits]

I agree.... Scotchguard OR the waterproofer that you spray on your shoes will help protect the backpack from stains.

Congratulations on learning a new technique. I am sure it was worth it to please your GD. I really love fair isle knitting. I find it a much more "fun" way of knitting with colors.

Once you have "recovered" from this challenging project, think about fair isle.... I find it much more enjoyable than Intarsia and a very classic look.

 

[klrober]

I hadn't thought about the shoe spray but I'm sure that would work also, so will check into that. I told my granddaughter if anyone in school thought her backpack was "cool" & would her grandma make them one, my answer to that was "NO". Yes, grandma's will do most anything for the grandkids!!
As far as this knitting with colors it was a huge challenge due to my being a new knitter & its not something I would want to tackle again but who knows. Fair Isle did look interesting since I had to watch so many videos on this type of knitting to even understand what I was doing.

 

[BobnDejasMom]

Stores that sell hunting and camping supplies have a spray. I think it is called Camp Guard. Hubby and I have used it on jackets, boots, etc. It works really well.

 

[Yarnie.One]

I agree.... Scotchguard OR the waterproofer that you spray on your shoes will help protect the backpack from stains.

Use Scotchguard in a well-ventilated area and only spray a little at a time while you hold your breath. Step back and take a couple of breaths before going back to it and spraying more. Let it dry well before handling the item.

It has carcinogenic chemicals in it.