Thanks Marcia. I was pretty sure the washing would work...I only know because when I was about 8 or 10...I spent months knitting one of those REALLY REALLY long stocking caps with the pom pom ball on the end (remember those?). I was soooo proud of it and wore it everywhere..well, finally it was pretty dirty, so my Mom helped me out and washed it......my Barbie doll wore it after that :cry: