Itchy wool sweater––help!

Like an idiot, I bought a sweater without trying it on. I cut off the tags and
it's been several weeks so I won't try to return it. I love the style and the
color, but here's the problem––it's a wool/angora blend (mostly wool) and it
itches like crazy. I've worn both wool and angora before with no problem so I
don't know why this one's bad.
I've considered wearing something underneath it but it'd be too hot and my arms
would still itch.
Do you think it would help to wash it in woolite on the gentle/cold cycle––or
by hand–– and air–dry it? Would a fabric softener possibly help? Generally I
avoid woolite because I've read (thanks to AF!!) that it can be hard on
fabrics. I'd love advice from anyone who's experienced this––I hate to just
give up on a sweater I really love!
Melanie

even a really thin camisole of sorts may help! But be advises (but I'm no
expert), that you may indeed be "allergic" to wool. My mom is and I think I've
inherited her tendency there, so I feel your pain!! If you do decide to change
your mind about wearing something underneath it, try cuddle duds or silk–type
long underwear. Works wonders, so I have been told by dear Mom and wicks the
sweat away, making it less itchy. HTH.
––Kristin

I cannot wear most wool directly against my skin, either. However, I read
somewhere that it can help if you cold– water wash the item, on gentle cycle,
in a combination of Woolite and hair conditioner (!). I did once try this on
an itchy sweater made of ramie fiber and it actually helped a lot. Apparently,
whatever it is in conditioner that coats/smooths hair will do the same for
itchy fibers.
Give it a try––you've got nothing to lose!
EMiriamD
"No fashion is ever a success unless it is used as a form of seduction."
–– Christian Dior

Melanie wrote:
cycle––or
Generally I
on
to just
Hi Melanie,
My gf and I were just talking about this yesterday. The sweater per
chance wasn't from Jcrew, was it? Just curious.
My experience has been that if you can grin & bear it and wear the
sweater a few times, eventually the oils from your skin make the wool
less itchy. The trick is that you don't want to wash the sweater all
that often because then you have to start over. And you have to wear
the sweater without a layer underneath.
jen

Melanie <m...@aol.com> wrote:
I once made an itchy sweater tolerable by putting it in a plastic
bag in the freezer for a few days.
A.

Thanks to Kristin, EMD, Jen, and Adrav for all your suggestions. I will
definitely look into them. And no, it wasn't J.Crew––it is some brand from
Australia, I think. I bought it at TJ Maxx and it wasn't particularly
expensive so if it doesn't work out it's not a huge deal. I just really like
the color, sort of a deep red. I think if I wore anything under it it'd be way
too hot. I do have other wool sweaters that (so far) don't bother me at all so
I hope this isn't an allergy thing!
Thanks again,
Melanie