Over time, wool sweaters can become a little baggy. Wool doesn't have those scales for no reason. It’s an easy knit (for a sweater) and the fit is flattering on pretty much any body. 1/9/21 Corinne or Idril (pending poll results)These sweaters were designed by Jennifer Wood and are in the book Refined Knits (and are available as individual patterns). As you can see the coarse and fine wool are the most likely to felt, but alpaca and cashmere will also felt and shrink if agitated enough. However, some people shrink wool on purpose in a technique commonly called felting—though it's more correctly called fulling. It then replaces this with a synthetic coating, that makes the wool more resistant to temperature changes. Lower quality coarse yarns are used to make inexpensive rugs. It also makes it … The itch factor of a fiber is dependent on the thickness of the fiber. Does Merino Wool Yarn Shrink? The thicker the fiber, the less likely it will bend when it touches your skin. That’s why cashmere is so luxuriously soft – it has a small fiber diameter. Many people are afraid to work with wool because it is so easy to shrink (though some shrink wool on purpose) and superwash wool can allow them to work with great fibers without worry. Those scales, along with the crimp (or curliness) of the fiber are what gives animal fibers their “memory”. It’s because of the structure of each individual fiber. Some people find the feel of polymer-superwashed fiber to be uncomfortable ... much more like a synthetic fiber ... which makes sense, given the synthetic coating on the wool, Superwashing involves chemical treatments that many would prefer to avoid, Superwashed wool loses the "memory" ... a woolen garment over time will conform to the wearer, but superwashed wool does not have the garment memory, Superwashed fiber is more prone to pilling. Some humans have hair and nails that grow fast; some grow slow. absorb and then adsorb water vapor but repel liquid water. Superwash -- superwashing -- is treating wool chemically so that it can be machine washed without fear of shrinkage, like a towel, etc. And those scales enable wool to absorb and then adsorb water vapor but repel liquid water, which is key to WeatherWool's All-Weather performance. To prevent interlocking, wool is usually dry-cleaned or hand-washed. Wool is one of the most sensitive and unpredictable materials out there. BUT ... Of course there are disadvantages to superwashing, else it would always be done: These differences in properties between superwashed and natural wool fiber make them better or worse for different uses. That’s what causes felting and shrinking. The $60 sweater will feel wonderful, but it will start to pill and wear out long before the $400 sweater. There are a couple of processes, and I won’t go into detail here except to say that depending on the process, it either removes the scales or fills them in to create a smooth fiber. Wool is highly unpredictable. As socks need to be washed frequently, it is preferable that they don’t shrink and felt. They hold their shape well. As we grow and gain more experience, we think it likely we will make more knitted products, and our use of superwashed fiber for the knits may grow. A superwash wool is a special wool product that has been treated or processed in a way that allows it to be machine washable. Superwashing eliminates the ratcheting in one of two ways. If anyone knows who we can contact, we'd love to hear from you, please.Â. I contacted my local, much loved woollen mills (Bendigo Woollen Mills ) where I buy a lot of knitting yarn to use in my weaving projects. There are two major enemies of Merino wool. When they’re done, you have a new pair of miniature hiking socks. Below right is a photo of a fiber superwashed in hydrochloric acid, showing how the scales have been etched away. BUT ... there are problems with superwashing that, depending upon the intended use of the fiber, can outweigh the advantages. Why are some fibers softer than others? If you poked yourself with a toothpick, it would not bend and you would feel the poke. But the downside to wool's "scaliness" is that the scales can ratchet against each other when agitated ... and the ratcheting effect only goes one way. Also, our tops (shirts, jackets) are almost always worn over a base layer, although in unusual circumstances they can certainly be worn comfortably on the skin, and I have personally done so many times. At bottom is a fiber superwashed with polymer. Advanced. In the later technique, no change will come. Anyway, an astute Fake Plastic Fish reader Rebecca left a comment on that post just a few weeks ago letting me know that Superwash wool is actually coated with a polymer to prevent the wool from shrinking. Snow 3300. N.B. You wouldn’t use coarse yarns for a sweater, but great quality coarse yarns are used to make very expensive rugs. 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. Fiber quality is affected by genetics, nutrition, and the overall health of an animal. Superwash is a finish that is added to wool yarns so they can be machine washed without shrinking. It’s frustrating but unavoidable. Pilling is a common phenomenon with fine animal fibers. You put the socks in the washer and dryer. Some wool garments need to be dry cleaned, while others require special wool soaps. Lastly and importantly, the information presented here is the best I can figure out after doing some research. The smaller the diameter of the fiber, the softer the fabric will be. BUT ... there are problems with superwashing that, depending upon the intended use of the fiber, can outweigh the advantages. Smoke 3306. If you enjoyed this article and are a knitter, you might benefit from joining the online Mountain Hollow Farm Knit Along Club. The one fiber that is missing from this photo is superwash wool. Soft 100% Superwash wool will not shrink and felt when washed. (It’s nice to know my posts hold up over time.) We want great strength and durability and we very much desire the fiber to handle water according to Nature's design. In the former technique, machine drying will eventually flake off the coating until the now-shrinkable wool remains. Disturbing no? NEW Daffodil 3308. You just purchased a new pair of merino wool hiking socks and base layer. You should hand wash it with care, as described above. (Read more here). The short fibers are not held into the twist as well as the long fibers. O-Wool uses a newer style of anti-shrink treatment on their fiber, one that is more environmentally friendly. NEW Forget-Me-Not 33162. ur tops (shirts, jackets) are almost always worn over a base layer, although in unusual circumstances they can certainly be worn comfortably on the skin, and I have personally done so many times. It is still a good match, but the ply structure of yarn has an effect on the finished fabric and what it's best used for. How much the item shrinks depends on the type of wool, however, so there is no surefire way to guess how much a wool item will shrink. Why do wool and other animal fibers shrink and felt but cotton, linen and synthetic fibers don’t? If the garment is storebought you should always follow the washing instructions, especially the … But then, so will untreated wool. Why Do People Want Superwash? This doesn’t even include the toxic chemicals that are used in the overall process. An example is the best way to illustrate this…. I'd be more than happy to hear from people who can make it better!! Superwash wool is usually created in one of two ways: either by coating the fiber with some kind of polymer or stripping the scales on the fiber. I once had someone shrink an angora sweater from a size 22 to a size 4X (and I mean the Toddler size, not 4XL). November 21, 2020The Brady the Snowman KAL will start November 21, 2020. The finer the fiber, the easier it will break. Tumble dry low. Etching the scales away with acid (the superwash method used on our fiber) also changes the way the wool handles water. The first step in processing a fleece is to determine it’s quality. Most smartwool stuff is pretty stable, too. Our Pants are normally worn without a base layer, but Pants don't hug the body, and legs don't generate moisture and oils like the torso. Superwash wool yarns have been treated to create shrink-resistant fabrics. Superwash -- superwashing -- is treating wool chemically so that it can be machine washed without fear of shrinkage, like a towel, etc. We use superwashed fiber only in our knitted products (Watch Cap and Neck Gaiter, plus the cuffs and waistband ribs of our Hoodie), which are normally worn directly on the skin. Yes, it doesn't take much to make wool shrink. when fibers are lined up in opposite directions, the scales prevent the fibers from slipping past each other ... the scales hold the yarn together. I suspect that is the difference between a $60 Sam’s Club cashmere sweater and a $400 Nordstrom’s cashmere sweater. This video explains why shrinkage isn’t the only problem you have to worry about. This means that it should not shrink in the wash. Yarn Wash Info: For best results, place into a mesh wash bag, machine wash in cold water on delicate cycle. Covering the fibers with polymer reduces or eliminates this behavior. 3/3/21 Flow by Norah GaughanIf you’ve never knit a sweater, this is the perfect one to start with. Many people are afraid to work with wool because it is so easy to shrink. But if your goal is to shrink wool, yes, the dryer will work. In general merino wool is much finer than the wool of other sheep, and so it bends when it presses against the skin, rather than pricking like thicker fibers, so it is less likely to create an itch. This yarn contains: Merino Superwash Wool (100%) This yarn also has a regular, smooth texture, but it is S-on-S plied rather than plied (3 or more plies). They both have a feminine, flattering fit. Cotton and linen do not have memory and do not hold their shape well. Wool is great at keeping you warm, but it’s not so great at surviving a ride in your washing machine. Alternatives to superwash sock yarn: O-Wash Fingering by O-Wool (A certified organic superwash process) Beaverslide 2-ply Sport sock weight (merino with mohair to add strength) Beaverslide 3-ply DK sock weight (merino with mohair to add strength) MOCO Qivuit Musk Ox sock weight (Qivuit is stronger than wool and does not shrink) Help us decide which projects to include in the Knit Along Club for 2021! The best kind of yarn for crocheting slippers is the superwash wool as, unlike normal wool, it does not felt or shrink. OKEO-TEX Standard 100 As one of Australia's leading machine washable wool suppliers, Michell continues to remain at the forefront of recent technological advances. Fleeces are sorted according to grade, and sold accordingly. They may be a contributing factor, but the main factor in whether a fiber is itchy or not is the diameter of the fiber. Superwash wool has been treated to make the scales less "grabby", so the wool has a much reduced tendency to felt and shrink. Superwash Wool. The good news is, this kind of damage is avoidable. Last but not least, I can’t talk about superwash yarn without a caveat: Remember that “superwash” doesn’t mean you can really throw it in the washer and dryer without consequence. NEW Pink Lady 33164. We sell lovely yarns on the website that shrink very well. Some people have thick hair; some have thin hair. There are a couple of processes, and I won’t go into detail here except to say that depending on the process, it either removes the scales or fills them in to create a smooth fiber. Some can go from XL to infant size, while others can go from XL to Medium. Whereas regular wool will shrink in the wash (and may also felt), superwash wool will come out of the machine pretty much as it was when you put it in. We all know merino wool isn't cheap. Sport Weight: Gauge: Needle #5, 6 stitches per inch. To shrink a wool item, wash it in hot water and then dry it. The perfectly purple yarn is O-Wool O-Wash in the shade Blue Thistle. Due to the uncertainties of the pandemic, we have decided to cancel our March retreat. Pilling occurs when the yarn is made with short fibers. Also polymer does not equal plastic. They are warm/hot water and agitation. The itchiness you feel is those fibers poking your skin. Another superwashing method involves coating the wool fibers with a synthetic polymer so that the scales are sort of filled in and smoothed over, and again, the ratcheting is eliminated. It depends on the type of wool used. One general method of superwashing involves the use of acid baths to eat away at the scales ... no scales, no shrinkage due to ratcheting. Note that the wool from some sheep has reduced scales on the fibers, so those wools are also much less likely to felt. How to Shrink a Wool Sweater.  We do not know where these photos came from. 1.2K views View 3 Upvoters Choosing something that will keep your feet cozy and allow some breathability at the same time takes a whole lot of time and effort. 10-25-2011 #6 100% Superwash Wool. There are many variations within the two main methods of superwashing, but the goal is to enable wool garments to be cleaned in a standard wash machine, without shrinking, by eliminating the tendency of the scales to ratchet. Click here to learn more about this project and purchase your yarn and pattern if you need them. It can also happen in the normal wear of a fabric as the fibers break. Our Pants are normally worn without a base layer, but Pants don't hug the body, and legs don't generate moisture and oils like the torso. The scales of the fiber are sharply defined. Find this yarn. the wool itself does not come from China, but because of the rules of international trade its country of origin is listed as China if it has been spun, dyed, or superwash treated there. Animals are just like humans with regard to the quality of their fleece. Superwash is a term used to describe wool that has been treated to prevent it from felting and shrinking. So the yarns can shrink when agitated, and obviously shrinkage is a problem. (The scales also lend strength to wool yarn because the scales prevent fibers aligned in opposite directions from sliding across each other.). The larger the diameter of the fiber, the more itchy it will be. Fibers with a larger quantity of more pronounced scales are more likely to felt and shrink than those with fewer, smaller scales. Top quality fleeces are used to produce top quality yarns and garments. Each knit along includes written and video tutorials to guide you through every step of the pattern. Lay flat to dry. And pill. Below left is a photo of an untreated, natural wool fiber. Some people have brittle hair; some have supple hair. We do not believe we will ever use superwashed fiber for our wovens. Wool grown and spun in the U.S. 50 g skein 180 yards. The wool fibers or yarns are exposed to a mild chlorine solution for a very short time followed by … Receive a detailed report of your skill level and a list of tutorials to help you improve. The course page is live now. This is a microscopic image of several fibers: One of the first things you will notice is that the animal fibers are not smooth. WeatherWool completely avoids the use of superwashing for our woven garments. To do this the scales on the surface of the fibre are removed or chemically treated to prevent the wool from felting during the washing process. How do you rank in 9 primary knitting skill categories? You may wonder why some fiber is short and some is long within the same breed. NEW Mint 3309. But overall, yes, it can always shrink further. A garment crafted with this yarn can safely be washed in a wash machine on the gentle cycle. Knit it too loosely, & yes, it will stretch. As modern households have sought alternatives to the expense and environmental damage associated with dry cleaning, we have responded by … You might think that the scales are what cause a fiber to be itchy. When they are agitated, the scales on the animal fibers lock together. Caring for Superwash Wool NEW Peach 33160. Quality yarns and garments are made with long fibers. We owe someone a PLEASE AND THANK YOU, at the very least. The project “A Project in Sheep’s Clothing” would be perfect for learning to felt. We … Superwash wool yarn is a somewhat controversial yarn for fibre artists. Superwash is a term used to describe wool that has been treated to prevent it from felting and shrinking. Their ends poke out of the yarn, and that is what forms the pills. Each poll will be released on the Knit Along Club Facebook page on the date indicated and will remain active through Saturday. Interloc is good stuff that doesn't shrink if handled with reasonable care--wash delicate, dry on low or lay flat. You may have noticed this if you ever knit a cotton sweater or shawl, only to find that it grew on the hanger. Yarn is made of fibers that are twisted together. Wool is one of the easiest fabrics to shrink. First a couple answers on the why of superwash wool. If you poked yourself with a blade of grass, the grass would bend and you would barely feel it.
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