Superwash wool

#1

What makes it superwash? Is it some kind of process the wool is put through? Is there any down side? Seems like it would be great for everything (except felting), no worries about shrinking.

#2

I found this:

Several chemical finishes may be applied to wool, depending on their end use. Products labeled SUPERWASH , a trademark owned by The Wool Bureau, Inc. are 100% wool that can be machine-washed (using ordinary laundry detergent) and machine-dried. The process that qualifies SUPERWASH certification is a mild chemical treatment applied to the fiber to form a permanent microscopic film of resin which spreads evenly over the fiber surface, coating the scales of the wool fiber. The finish reduces friction and fiber entanglement and eliminates felting shrinkage that usually occurs if wool garments are machine-washed and dried. Wool can also be treated chemically to make it highly resistant to moths, stains, moisture and fire.

#3

I like superwash wool. It feels smoother than regular wool, which makes sense. I recently made a sweater with superwash merino that stretched to huge proportions when I washed it to block. It shrunk when I dried it, so it’s wearable, though. I made other sweaters from superwash wool that washed up great. I’ve come to the conclusion that washing the swatch is important.

The label on both yarns said to lay flat to dry, but I’ve also read that you can dry them in the machine. I haven’t put the others in the dryer because I’m afraid they’ll shrink.

#4

I’ve only used superwash wool for socks, but I love the way it feels, especially after being through the wash. I don’t stick the socks in the dryer because I don’t want them to accidentally shrink, but they are so soft and warm and slightly fuzzy! I used KnitPicks simpe stripes.

#5

I was wondering if it would work for a baby blanket? I’m working right now on a baby blanket that I wanted to be washable, and the yarn store where I was didn’t have any wool/acrylic that I liked, so I bought some 100% acrylic. It was really soft in the skein but I am disappointed in the way it is knitting up. I guess I would rather have something more natural on a baby! I bet that stripey stuff would be a cute baby blanket!