silly putty nightmare

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Do you know what I dislike more than getting gum stuck in hair?
Getting silly putty stuck in my knitting.

I would love to say that some little boy put his silly putty down on my knitting, however, I take full credit for that. I took it away from him after he repeatedly put it in his mouth, and put it on the book that was sitting on top of my project. Somehow, it melted (in our cold house). Weird.
It has already made a trip to the freezer where it hardened and I was able to pick most of it out. Unfortunately, I was unable to get it all out without damaging the fibers. I am going to risk it, keep knitting on this project and hope that it will wash out with one of these helpful tips. I'll let you know if it works.
You know, just in case this happens to you. (ha!)

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100 comments

  1. i have never seen it do that. i mean *melt* like that.the girls get a new one in the stocking every year...because i love it. david hates it! i can't show him this..it will validate what he has been saying for years. i would have said freezer too. ugh. hope it all comes out.
    and love that knit. your color choice; one of my favs. good luck.

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  2. Oh NOOOOOOOO!
    I would have thought the freezer trick would work.
    But other than the putty I *love* the sweater :-)

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  3. I had to get silly putty out of a crocheted blanket last week. The rubbing alcohol worked great, but the putty did leave a stain on the white sections and I'm not sure if it washed out or not.

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  4. I can't wait to see the finished product! Gosh, that silly putty stuff is dangerous--I hope it does come out!

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  5. Knitting disaster! What is that one about peanut butter? Is that for gum in your hair? I wouldn't want peanut butter on your knitting either :)

    Good luck! That color is beautiful, despite the putty.

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  6. Oh, no! I hope something works!

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  7. Try putting some sticky tape over it and 'ripping' it out.

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  8. Oh my, I would be refreezing and tweezing with some funky magnifying goggles, which I would have to special order asap...
    Or maybe a warm compress? OH, I don't know...
    And I might shed a few tears.

    Remind me never to buy any more silly putty, wait, I never do, remind me not to start...

    That's just sad, but knit on, my friend, knit on!

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  9. Holy crap - my husband plays with silly putty all the time around the house, and I will now keep it far, far away from my knitting. I hope that it comes out - good luck.

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  10. OH! I laughed out loud - a glimpse into your real life :) - and so something that would happen in a house with boys! I'm sure there will be a handy tip that will get it out in the wash. Cool color.

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  11. I love the color and the pattern for the sweater. Good Luck with the silly putty.

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  12. Strange that it melted like that and it's not even hot. Did you put a cup of coffee next to it perhaps? No matter, the damage is done now... hope it comes out in the wash ;)

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  13. Ay. Hope it comes out! (That sweater is on my list, too... there were a bunch of good ones in that issue, weren't there?)

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  14. Hope it'll be OK, good luck !

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  15. *Gasp!* Oh my! Fingers crossed that the putty will come out! I'm a huge fan of the pattern and I would hate to see things not work out for you! :(

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  16. My son got pink silly putty all over the sofa and I used liquid hand sanitizer and a paper towel to remove it -- worked just like the internet said it would!

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  17. Oh, I was going to say "try the freezer", but it seems you've already gone that route. Good luck with Plan-B!

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  18. I first want to say that is a really beautiful sweater. I can't wait to see it - silly putty and all. I am so sorry!! I really think it will come out . . . I just feel it! Sending positive thoughts your way.

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  19. I went back and read the cleaning advice - I think I like the goo gone idea but I'm wondering if you have something old and needs to be tossed in your closet that is wool or whatever your yarn is and test it - intentionally put silly putty on it and see what works. xoxo

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  20. Melted silly putty!!! Who would have thought? I like the color of the yarn...what's the project?

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  21. Anonymous1/13/2010

    Eeek! That's one of the scariest knitting photo's I've ever seen.

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  22. I swear by Spray 'n Wash. It removes gum, candle wax from a tablecloth and many more things that have nearly ruined favorite things. I would keep on knitting and when you are done, spray it really good and let it sit over night. Then you can hand wash it to remove the silly putty.

    Good luck. I hope it works.

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  23. I think this will be a pretty finished project regardless of yellow silly putty infusion. I love the clever pockets! Please be sure to show us pictures once you've finished.

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  24. I can honestly say I have never seen that before! Good luck getting the rest out.

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  25. Oh my. Why couldn't this have happened on a.... scarf? I hope you get this resolved without drastic measures.

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  26. Oh my, I haven't had that one happen yet!!!! Beautiful cardigan though...it will be amazing in that color.

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  27. oh no, leslie! silly putty has been banned from our house since my girl smooshed a bunch in her bangs one day while i was at work, and dad decided that scissors were the only viable solution. it sounds like you've got some much better options. best of luck to you!!

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  28. my daughter once got silly putty all over a handmade poncho. i put it in the freezer, hoping that frozen putty would be easier to peel off, but it wasn't. i think i kept the poncho in the freezer for several months, just so i didn't have to deal with it. by the time it came out of the freezer, she had outgrown it.

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  29. gasp...about the silly putty!

    love the pattern, can't wait to see it finished.

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  30. Anonymous1/14/2010

    Hi there, bought this great product here in the UK called Sticky Stuff remover by De-Solv-It Technology. Comes highly recommended. They have their own website at www.desolvit.co.uk.
    If you want some but cant get it shipped just let me know, you were so helpful to me over the knitting patterns.

    Good luck, love the knitting.

    Teresa uk

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  31. iiiiii.....I hope you get it out...

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  32. oh...this is so my my life...but you knew that already! I would keep knitting too! Good luck!

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  33. why must boys put everything in their mouth?

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  34. I think I would still try the peanut butter. You can gently wash your piece. Sometimes I use a little baby oil in my water on 100% wool. It makes it smell better and washes out the detergent if I don't use a wool wash. Let us know what works for you. It's a great color.

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  35. Anonymous1/14/2010

    I work with Theraputty a lot, same stuff but comes in different hardness's for building hand strength. I can tell you it is basically a glue that you can handle and from years of experience, it doesn't come out without some damage to the fibers it has adhered to. Looks like you only have a few rows to rip back, no biggy, that is what I would do!

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  36. What a drag...a friend of my son got some on the wall to wall carpeting - that can't go in the freezer. Tried an ice cube but there is still a smitch left on the rug. Good luck!

    You asked about my farmers mkt cardigan. I have yet to seam the pockets and sleeves and cast on for the band that goes on the pockets up around the neck. I need to find a time to just sit down and do the focused work. Maybe next week? Can't wait to see yours.

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  37. Eh gads! That is just wrong! My fingers are crossed that you find a solution that you are happy with.

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  38. Gosh - what a mess. Good Luck!

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  39. I hope that you can get it out. Love the color of the yarn.

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  40. I would be sooo upset and then forget about it but you are very brave to keep knitting. good luck

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  41. EEK! Good luck getting it all out. I didn't even think about silly putty damage to my knitting.

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  42. Oh no! who would've thought that silly putty would melt like that. Very strange.

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  43. Sorry about the accident. In the photo it looks like there are only a few inches of knitting beyond the spot. If it were me, I would rip back and cut out the length of yarn that is affected. The lengths of yarn that were cut out but clean could be used for finishing work. Best of luck, the yarn looks interesting.

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  44. Well that is certainly a unique knitting disaster.

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  45. I would just try slowly picking at it. Freezing has never worked for me.

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  46. Ugh, melted silly putty, that's awful!! How weird that it melted like that! I'm sure it will all come off the knitting -- good luck with that!!

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  47. once in a lifetime.
    surely.
    because fate couldn't be that evil.

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  48. I would try Goo Gone. I have used it for many things.

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  49. I am taking this warning seriously! we play with silly putty often - esp. on Sunday mornings when the kiddos make transfers of the comics. Hope you get it off that gorgeous sweater - i would try goo gone too.

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  50. oh no, leslie!! i hope it all comes out! the cardigan is to die for! i can not wait to hear what happens!

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  51. Anonymous1/14/2010

    even with silly putty it is lovely! will you share yarn info?

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  52. knitmoreoften1/14/2010

    I am so sorry for the silly putty. On the other hand I love the thorps and am inspired to make one! Thank you for that post

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  53. Ouch. I hope it comes out clean in one go with the washer.

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  54. Wow, that is amazing. I am surprised the freezer did not work. I got this huge bit of tree sap stuck in my hair this summer - right at the crown - horrible mess. I used peanut butter, rubbed it in and it came of like a charm. I don't really have a solution for silly putty!! Really hope it comes out because that is a great piece of knit - the color is beautiful.

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  55. Dude... Suck! I hope it all works out for you. I suppose peanut butter isn't an option. :)

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  56. Anonymous1/14/2010

    Oh my god, that sucks! So random. I hope it comes out without too much coaxing.

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  57. In retrospect, maybe letting the child eat it would have been a good choice? Okay, no, not really. Please keep us posted on the next chapter of this, and how it comes out! Good luck!

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  58. Oh, no! That is so sad. I really hope it comes out because that is just the prettiest shade of purple.

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  59. Good luck! I hope it will wash off completely...

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  60. OMG- I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It is really funny... and I'm sure when it's a distant memory you'll be able to laugh about it. If it's any consolation, the knitting is beautiful! Good luck with the removal process.

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  61. Anonymous1/15/2010

    I usually just lurk, but for this I needed to comment. I use DeSolvIt and it is a miracle laundry aid! I even order it online because I can't get it anywhere around here anymore. Bed Bath and Beyond used to carry it. It gets out gum, crayon and oil/grease stains from clothing without damaging the fabric. Even old grease stains that have been baked in by the dryer. My son has a habit of not using a napkin. Why use a napkin when you are wearing a perfectly good shirt! Hope this helps - the sweater looks beautiful... Shanna

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  62. Anonymous1/15/2010

    My youngest got this in his hair, we obviously couldn't do the freezer thing!! We eventually had to cut it out his hair, it wouldn't tease out with comb or wash out. Hope someone's suggestion gets it out your knitting.

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  63. Yikes! After a few mishaps with that stuff, I don't allow it in my house anymore.
    I hope you're able to get it out!

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  64. Unbelievable. I hope you find something that works!

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  65. I think we all share your pain with this one! Fingers crossed that the putty will come out when the project is complete...

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  66. I too don't allow it in the house...for the same reason you took it away. too many things end up in one little guy's mouth!!
    how is it that every project you pick we all love and want to knit up immediately??!! I feel like such a copy cat!

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  67. Sorry that happened to you.
    My instinct would be to rub something like olive oil or vegetable oil with your fingers on the underside to get in up underneath the putty first. Then work it on the top sides of the fiber into it. Try not to put the oil on top of the putty since you need to leave that dry and either use sticky duck tape to remove the putty and or fingernails gently.
    You have done a great job so far removing it. Good luck!

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  68. Oh my goodness that is tragic and hilarious all at the same time. I can't keep Olivia from leaving her retainer all over the house as well as other wet sticky things either. I feel your pain.

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  69. that sure stinks! but that cardigan...on my dream list...so nice. i'm sure when you're all done, no one will notice the offending spot..they'll all be gawking at your gorgeous knitting work!

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  70. I never know or learn how to knit but I do know how stressful it is having a gum stuck on your hair.

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  71. I feel you girl. I cut my hair short because of the awful gum on my hair.

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  72. I didn't know it would melt. Hope it comes out completely.

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  73. Gasp. I literally took a really loud, deep intake of breath. Fingers crossed. I have often had the unpleasant experience of putting my hand in a trouser pocket whilst sorting laundery only to encounter some silly putty and goodness knows what manner of other disgusting things.

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  74. How sad! I know that my kids had silly putty, but I don't remember any disasters. I have more problems now with goofy teenagers leaving gum around, and we're not talking preteens here either. Sigh!

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  75. Anonymous1/17/2010

    Oh My God what a BUMMER! That stinks. Hopefully in the end it will come out and you will have a beautifull knit sweater. Good luck!

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  76. oh i really hope that it does come out! that would really be yucky if it didn't!

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  77. Dangit!! Hope you can get it all out!!

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  78. How terrible that this has happened and you can't even shame your kid for it, Leslie! (which is what I would be dying to do)

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