This doesn’t even include the toxic chemicals that are used in the overall process. Superwash needs more plies and and ply twist to help control the body of the yarn. I knit furiously, meaning that I am a fast and prolific knitter and that I swear loudly every time I drop a stitch. Part of what contributes to the swing and sway is the density of the yarn, or my friend and yours: grist. Many years ago, when I started knitting I stocked up on super wash wool. I did realize that superwash processing is not super environmentally friendly, but alternative “wools” made from plastic are not a good alternative. What makes superwash yarns both super and washable is the removal and/or suppression of the tiny scales that cover each individual fiber. How about you? The polymers used to smooth the fiber are made from different types of plastics. I went to a talk last week when the chemist speaking referred to proteins as polymers … I was just as surprised as you! You may have seen “Superwash” wool written on the label of a yarn hank and wondered what exactly this distinction meant. Thank you! The superwash process is actually a series of processes wool goes to chemically remove the scales on each individual wool fiber (the ones that cause felting when warm water and agitation are involved) and then coat these fibers in a petroleum-based polymer. One is to strip or dull the scales of a fiber, then fill the irregularities left behind with a polymer to smooth the fiber. Snippets is the Saturday newsletter full of MDK news, specials, and first look at new offerings. I encourage you to read up about it and make the decision based on your personal preferences. Lots of good info here and only reinforces why I don’t superwash except for baby items. Eco-friendly Superwash Yarns (Yes, They Exist!) In my efforts to become more “fiber-conscious” I began purging my stash of superwash wool and encouraged other’s to take a closer look at the fibers they were using and find healthier and more sustainable alternatives. However, I also am glad to have learned about the superwash process so that I can decide to purchase it for a specific reason. Don’t they all break down eventually and end up in the environment as pollution? The possibility of offering our clients Superwash wool top at our production plant is directly translated into lower logistic costs for our clients’ companies. Most methods are the super secret, proprietary information of the companies and labs developing them. In many cases that’s a partner who accidentally puts things in the dryer. Also receive daily new post notifications, Knitter’s Notebook: Warm Hats and Good Friends. Thank you so much. #1. The articles made from super wash won’t block. Agitation makes the fibers scootch closer together so that the scales hang on to each other. There are loads of opinions and a lot of questions about how superwash yarns get super-fied. The gorgeous golden yarn is O-Wool Merino Chunky in the shade Mustard Seed. Growing up, I could never wear wool because it would make me have a rash and sometimes welts. What has influenced your decision? Felting can be intentional, for things like hot pads, mittens, and cozy slippers, but this is less desirable for many garments and delicate shawls. / Superwash Yarn. Wow! Sign up for our weekly newsletter full of MDK fun, and you'll save 10% on your next order. Where is the scratch and sniff app when you need it!!! Even tho I habdwash all my knit stuff regardless. There are two ways most commonly used to make a superwash yarn. After growing up with sheep and shearing sheep, washing fleece, spinning wool and knitting handspun …. That’s nice to call it drapy instead of droopy! So why is the combination of merino wool and cotton so washable and delightful to work with…i.e. The other is to coat the fiber to suppress the scales. Experienced knitters know that using the right needle size can mean the difference between a well-fitting and overly large sweater. The superwash process makes it washable, and it makes the United States wool pool (a variety of sheep breeds mixed into one yarn) soft enough to wear. When the fabric was wet, it grew A LOT. It’s a polymer that keeps paper from reverting to pulp when it gets wet. This is true about yarns processed in North America and the rest of the world. Commercial textile and knitting firms in the US buy U.S. top and wool because they can buy domestic wool and have the entire process done in America. She wears it in cooler months and now to find a place to dry a long cardigan?? So science-y, thorough, and thoughtful. The reintroduction of the superwash process and the Buy American movement has increased the interest and commitment of the American wool-sock industry to buying American wool. Hand-painted while braided which can give a tie-dye effect where the dye cant reach the white wool Dyed with acid dyes and If you’ve ever knit and then felted a bag or slippers on purpose, you know exactly how much the felting experience can change knitting. A word on the superwash process. One is to strip or dull the scales of a fiber, then fill the irregularities left behind with a polymer to smooth the fiber. Absolutely not. Depending on your personal tolerance for plastic, you may decide that superwash wool is not something that you are interested in buying. Superwash producers use a chlorinated gas to erode the scales from the fiber strands. Read More. I’ve done my time with wool and felting … now when I knit with superwash, I don’t care that my 5yo kid tosses their jumper into the washing machine as it never shrinks! Over the years, I’ve knit a lot of socks for my mom, mostly out of superwash wool. I was enamoured with the colours, soft touch and washability. Most superwash yarns are created by eroding the scales with acids and then coating the fibers with a synthetic resin. Untreated merino yarn has structure with fewer plies and less twist. Today, the overwhelming majority of machine-washable wool is produced using the Hercosett treatment because it's fast, cheap, and effective. I hesitate to make a blanket statement about the itchiness of superwash wool because much of the texture is determined by the diameter of the fiber, measured in microns. It is a natural fiber that is easy-care meaning you can machine wash and dry it! As the fiber dries the scales slam shut, locking out the ability for fibers to move past each other and locking in the new shrunken size. Yarn: 220 Superwash Effect Code: Q202 Description: 220 Superwash Effects is in the same family as our most popular 220 Superwash yarn. FK is a mostly self-taught knitter who has opinions on things. When these little suckers are agitated, literally, that’s how felting happens. Streat Instruments Moisture Measurement and Control systems have been applied to Superwash Plants around the world and we were involved with the initial Superwash development at the IWS and then the Woolmark Company. The only problems I've ever had with blocking superwash wool came about when I was working with KnitPicks Swish (the worsted version). I knit with superwash wool, primarily in the form of sock yarn as gifts for my mom. The perfectly purple yarn is O-Wool O-Wash in the shade Blue Thistle. Wow, interesting article. But, there’s a lot more to consider than just this, so read on to get a lot of info on yarn and its care. Thank you! Details. The only way to know what process your favorite yarn company uses is to ask them. Do I lie in bed at night feeling guilty about this? On the other hand, I don’t think that it is necessary to feel ashamed by your knitting purchases either. I do appreciate your addressing the environmental concerns. I simply and wholeheartedly appreciate your posts. All of this work is industrial and secret. Anecdotally speaking, I also find superwash yarns to look a little bit shinier than those made of natural wool. Author. We talked about the drape of superwash in the last post. Considering these two yarns in strands, I know I would choose my yarn based on the texture I wanted in my knitting: smooth or velveteen fuzzy. Machine Washable (Superwash) treated wool is used to make machine washable knitted products which meet Woolmark Standards for Machine washable (Test Method 31) or Total Easy Care (Test Method 31/254). #1. The yarn is then coated with a synthetic coating (Hercosett is the industry standard) which smooths the exterior of the yarn. Once the conversation turns to superwash yarn it never seems to stop. Many knitters choose yarns made of superwash wool for projects that will need to be washed frequently, such as a pair of socks or baby clothes. Traceability. I cannot reshape it, even to proper measurements, and instead of blocking a shape, I end up throwing the garment in the dryer, only to have it come out exactly as it came off the needles — good or bad. The superwash process is also, of course, very large-scale, so Blacker Yarns and The Natural Fibre Company would not be able to use it. Enter superwash wool, sometimes called “washable wool”, those these terms are not necessarily interchangeable. With new technology in yarn, this all changed, and now we have superwash wool, which is a natural fiber that has been treated so that it can be washed in the machine. If you peruse the sock yarn section of your local yarn store (LYS), you find an array of brilliant, deeply saturated colors. Scouring: The fleece is washed with water or solvents to remove dirt, debris and wool grease. It grows and grows. Pure Wool Superwash DK. the diameter of the fiber, measured in microns. Your purchases support everything we publish here at MDK. Thus, there is a trade-off: to retain the drape and texture of a hand-knit garment, you usually must wash the item by hand. And you should generally not put superwash wool in the dryer. Each individual wool fiber is covered with tiny scales, like a snake’s skin. The coating smooths and softens the fibers, preventing felting during the washing process. Why do people want it? The superwash process removes these outer scales of the yarn with chemicals. While many yarn companies don’t know the process their suppliers use, some do, and a growing number are making it a priority to be aware and to choose supplies with the environment in mind. That being said, you can’t just toss a pair of superwash wool socks into a very hot, super-aggressive load of laundry and expect things to turn out just fine. I first heard about superwash wool in the knit.fm podcast. The process of making superwash wool prevents the scales from locking together, either by removing them entirely or coating the entire strand in a polymer. There are two ways most commonly used to make a superwash yarn. Ever popular, this 100% wool yarn is durable, yet soft to the touch, making it ideal for family and homeware projects of all types. Organic cotton and linen are MY current favorites. I am a very tactile person. The creation process for superwash wool essentially smoothes out the entire strand of yarn, so at the microscopic level, the strands no longer have their natural stickiness. The other is to coat the fiber to suppress the scales. link to All about Knitting Needle Sizes (Hooray! Your beautiful knitwear is now smaller, stiffer, and not so soft. Finally, because the scales can’t lock together, superwash wool tends to be less effective at trapping warm air. If wool in its natural state felt, it is because - or thanks - to its composition. Share on Social. Cliff Cox is the Plant Manager at Chargeurs, a multi-national company with a plant in South Carolina that produces superwash and non-superwash wool sliver (combed and carded top). Does it depend on which process was used? I heard superwash eventually loses it’s superwash proerties. 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