Levi's 501 Raw (Shrink-to-Fit)

Before I start, I'd like to say that I did search through the forums pointlessly not being able to find answers to my questions.

I'm feeling the whole raw denim thing lately and haven't owned a pair since I was a kid (implying I don't really know how to treat it). I like the whole idea of breaking into the jeans yourself and giving it it's own, personal look.

Well yesterday I was at the Levi's Store in South Coast and bought the 501 Raw Shrink-to-Fit. I know it's not the best fabric to get, but it is raw denim that shrinks. What I need to know is,

what advice can you give to someone who's trying out raw denim for the first time? I know only very little about treating it (wash in cold, wear a lot before washing), but I don't know anything else. How often should I wear my jeans before its first wash? How often should I wash it? What's soak, then wear 'till dry?

 

In the 501 Shrink to Fit Definitive Collection Thread (http://supertalk.superfuture.com/showthread.php?t=12464) all the links don't work.

 

i did a super shrink. washed in warm/warm for 46 minutes then soaked in warm water for 30 minutes with sea salt for starching. i'll post pics later today!

 

yes i washed it inside out and did the soak with sea salt. i loved the way the honeycombs and whiskers turned out.

only problem is there seems to be a sort of bulge (kind of like my patella of the knee extends) on my knees which makes it look awkward. i think it was from driving around 35 minutes while i was doing the soak and wear till dry. anyone else have this problem?

 

any tips from here on out? should i was them vigorously, not was them at all? i really want a softer feel to them.