I would continue to line dry them. Try adding vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser. It is supposed to soften them. I haven't done it but my DD does. Adding fabric softener makes them not as absorbent.
If they are that rough fluff them for a couple of minutes after line drying.

[QUOTE=meanmom;8090560]I would continue to line dry them. Try adding vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser. It is supposed to soften them. I haven't done it but my DD does. Adding fabric softener makes them not as absorbent.

I never use softener in the wash machine--only white vinegar to rinse. It is to help remove all the soap residue from the fabrics. Sometimes I use a piece of a dryer sheet to dry things that might cause static.

You did it ( backwards) hang them until almost dry then put in dryer to fluff, soften, finish drying. Vinegar in the rinse helps soften too

I too like the way the rough towels feel; sort of invigorates the skin. I hang almost everything on the line; rarely use my dryer even in winter. I had things on a line in the garage. (Makes the garage smell good too)

I run my towels thru the dryer for about 10 minutes and then hang them out and when they are dry I run them thru the dryer just to soften and fluff and have had no problems at all. I use hot water and maybe that is the difference or maybe the towels have chemicals from the pool that make them rough. We used to have a diving pool at our other house and I know the chemicals in our pool water made the towels a little more stiff.

Agree, it's like a mini-massage.

Dry them on the line, then fluff them in the dryer.

My dryer was on the fritz for about a year and I had to dry my towels on the line. When I finally got my dryer fixed, I was so happy, no more drying off with sandpaper towels. The funny thing is, even though I never use fabric softener on my towels, I swear that the line dried towels never seemed to absorb as much as the dryer towels.

I like rough, too! Also like my facecloths like that, I just use a dry one to scrub my face then moisten it to wipe. Never have to use creams, etc.

A friend's Mum used to use so much softener with her towels that they looked nice but did not absorb anything! Just smeared the water around on your body!

I hang jeans over our composite (it’s not wood but recycled plastic) railing because all the tumbling in a dryer wears on them. They feel a bit stiff when we put them on at first but soften up quickly. I would hang out towels if I had enough railing. As someone pointed out, fabric softener prohibits absorption.