I wash my gifts because I like the softness of the yarn once the sizing is removed. I use fabric softener too. I do not use wools, so I am not sure how much a washing would help a natural fiber, but it definitely helps acrylics.

I NEVER wash scarves before I give them...I mean, how dirty can they be? I knit with wool only, and washing doesn't have much advantage for wool, so why do it if you don't need to. Sometimes I spritz with water and then block, but whether I do this or not is dependent on what pattern I use, etc. Perhaps if I used acrylic yard I'd view it differently.

Thanks for your comments. I ended up soaking it in tepid water with a drop of mild soap (Amway LOC... great stuff and doesn't need rinsing). Mostly so I could gently reshape it a little.

I agree Sandra, how dirty can they be... I should have said "block" or rinse" instead of wash. And since I've read to block most everything I thought I should. Or, should I?

When I block things, I pin them to the back of the guest room door, with push pins. When I get the article (I do this with sweaters, too) the way I want it, I spray with water...no need to soak an article...damp seems to be sufficient. The only time I do this is when either the garment needs a bit of 're-sizing', or the pattern would look better if I did...for me, most scarves haven't needed it.

I tend to wash everything before I give it. I rarely use wool so it has nothing to do with blocking. With a dog in the house, there are usually stray hairs that get on anything I work on. It's also a good way to tell the person that it was washed/dried and they should not be afraid to do so. I also include a label from whatever yarn it is with the gift.

Thanks everyone. It's taking it's sweet time drying on the table.

Sandra, do you stick pins into your door??? How do you support it while your putting in the pins so the weight of the garment doesn't stretch it out???