I have yarn that was recently frogged into balls from a sweater that was HUGE!

I am wondering if I should wash this yarn once it is organized the correct way to wash it (not in a ball). Let it dry and then knit with it or should I just knit it up wash and block the item?

Is one way better than the other? Any thoughts on this would be welcome!

Happy New Year!

I would wind it into a hank (around the back of a chair, or hold the end in my hand and wind around my elbow) tie in several places and swich it in lukewarm water and mild soap. rinse and roll in a towel and hang to dry.

Whichever way you go, do all the yarn the same way. For consistency in next project.

Sheepish that is exactly what I was thinking of doing. At first I thought it wouldn't be needed but as I keep looking at this yarn my second thoughts are it might be better to get it back in its original shape.

What Sheepish says.

If it's heavy yarn, put a light weight at the bottom the damp hank when you hang it to dry to further de-kink it. (A washcloth will do).

If you try knitting with yarn that's become kinked and possibly stretched from having been previously knitted, it will knit up unevenly. Washing it not only gets it clean and kink-free but fluffs up and conditions the yarn. Much nicer to work with. Another bonus to skeining it and then winding it into balls: you'll be able to spot any worn or weak areas and cut them out.

KnitSki
I've tried knitting with kinked yarn and it's a bugger to do. It tends to get itself into knots and tangles and twists funny and all that sort of stuff. Like noted above, it will give the yarn a chance to get back to it's natural size and shape. Also a chance to clean it, because it's now been handled for the frogging and winding so it could have gotten dirty.
And all this makes me wonder; I've seen a yarn that is sold as a preknitted "hankie" that you just knit into your project by pulling on the loose end. So, of course, it's kinked and stuff. How does anyone knit that stuff? I would imagine that would drive me batty!

Hanging the yarn damp is good, Hanging it dripping wet is even better for de-kinking it. Hang the sopping wet hank over the shower head even with a slight weight on the bottom and it smooths out very satisfactorily. This also works for yarn that has been wound too tight and stretched out. I'm not sure how this would work on artificial fibers. I've only used it on wool and a couple of other naturals.

Thanks--This is 100% wool and the item was never worn just moved a lot to many countries and frogged. I am going to wash it and hang it to dry. It is -27.2 F here today so this is sounding like the perfect project.

(I was given a weather station for Christmas and now I know the exact temperature and all kinds of weather information.)

I knit with unraveled yarn all the time. I'm too lazy and also too anxious to get re-started to bother hanking, washing, and smoothing out the yarn. <smile>