Most methods are the super secret, proprietary information of the companies and labs developing them. What has influenced your decision? (I won’t use it). Sign up for our weekly newsletter full of MDK fun, and you'll save 10% on your next order. Superwash is a treatment applied to wool fibres which makes more resistant to shrinking. Lots of good info here and only reinforces why I don’t superwash except for baby items. Superwash producers use a chlorinated gas to erode the scales from the fiber strands. Sock yarn is almost always a mixture of acrylic for elasticity and superwash wool. There are environmental issues with many superwash processes, but not all superwash or anti-felting processes are the same. There are two ways most commonly used to make a superwash yarn. They do not remove or reduce scales, but only smooth them down—like using pomade on unruly hair. Carding: Rolling with a roller that is covered with teeth to tease apart the staples of wool, laying the fibres nearly parallel to form a soft rope called a sliver. Who says knitting is just an art? In this two-part series we will use the conversation with Cliff to dive into the deep mysteries of Superwash Wool and the ways it … Superwash wool (or washable wool) technology first appeared in the early 1970s to produce wool that has been specially treated so it is machine washable and may be tumble-dried. Is Superwash Yarn Environmentally Sustainable? 100g / 3.5oz 23 micron Superwash Merino wool Colourway: Apple blossom Colours: pink, green, cream, peach Not suitable for felting crafts as this is a superwash treated fibre. The possibility of offering our clients Superwash wool top at our production plant is directly translated into lower logistic costs for our clients’ companies. One environmentally friendly method is used by O-Wool. “Superwash wool was the answer to our desire to machine wash and dry our knits. Superwash … Having made several sweaters with both types I must say I enjoy wearing superwash more than untreated wool. The articles made from super wash won’t block. There’s a lot to think about! A garment made from a superwash wool, on the other hand, can often cope with being thrown in the machine as part of the normal wash. A few weeks back I wrote a post about the processing of superwash wool, it’s use of chlorine gas and plastic. You may have seen “Superwash” wool written on the label of a yarn hank and wondered what exactly this distinction meant. See you next time, yarn explorers. After growing up with sheep and shearing sheep, washing fleece, spinning wool and knitting handspun …. On the other hand, I don’t think that it is necessary to feel ashamed by your knitting purchases either. Pure Wool Superwash DK. Hand-painted while braided which can give a tie-dye effect where the dye cant reach the white wool Dyed with acid dyes and She wrote the book Yarnitecture: A Knitter’s Guide to Spinning: Building Exactly the Yarn You Want so she could use all of the fiber words. Thank you! As this elasticity is affected by the superwash process, adding nylon really helps. Because the superwashing process smooths out all of the tiny fibers, it has a sheen to it that non-superwash wool does not. It's also more ready to take up the dye, so it's easier to get brighter, more saturated colors with superwash yarn. How about you? Today, the overwhelming majority of machine-washable wool is produced using the Hercosett treatment because it's fast, cheap, and effective. Each strand of wool is covered in microscopic “scales”. 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). 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. When introduced to heat and agitation, such as the movement and hot water in the drum of a washing machine, these scales lock together with neighboring strands, producing a denser, felted material. Much of the US-made superwash wool goes to ready-to-wear fashion, and to the military for uniforms. This will come as no surprise, but you can wash superwash wool in the washing machine! Each individual wool fiber is covered with tiny scales, like a snake’s skin. If the scales can’t lock together, then the knitted item can be tossed into the washing machine with reckless abandon (sort of). 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. Wow, interesting article. Does it depend on which process was used? Upon browsing through the Ravelry comments for the yarn, I discovered that this is a common issue with that particular yarn. Anecdotally speaking, I also find superwash yarns to look a little bit shinier than those made of natural wool. Hang on, let me turn on the espresso machine. Thank you. This means that superwash garments can feel little draftier and less insulating. The main reason why superwash yarns are environmental harmful is the treatment method itself: the chlorine-Hercosett process (read last week’s blog post for specifics). Where is the scratch and sniff app when you need it!!! Many years ago, when I started knitting I stocked up on super wash wool. I have to admit that now, as an adult … I LOVE superwash! Checking in with Auntie Grist, if I made a 1,ooo yard sweater out of the regular merino it would weigh 1.3 pounds. #1. Once the conversation turns to superwash yarn it never seems to stop. One of the pleasures of knitting with wool is its ability to stretch and then recover to its original shape. The most common way to create a superwash yarn is to remove the scales and then coat the yarn to smooth it (more about this process in an upcoming post). If wool in its natural state felt, it is because - or thanks - to its composition. 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. What makes superwash yarns both super and washable is the removal and/or suppression of the tiny scales that cover each individual fiber. Harmful chemicals are used in the process . Read More. A too-tight cast-on makes even the most beautiful pair of socks unwearable if you can't get it... Hello! Only a very small percentage of the superwash produced in the United States goes to the hobby market (that’s us knitters). I’ve made quite a few non-superwash baby gifts that ended up doll clothes, and socks that have been tossed accidentally in the washer and dryer that are now wee. Plus, my lys was pretty much filled with super wash wool. In addition to rendering the wool free from any potential for felting the machine washable treatment also enhances both softness and brightness of the wool fibre. A compromise for the sake of convenience.”. It can also be referred to as 'washable wool'. We talked about the drape of superwash in the last post. China, perhaps surprisingly, is the world's second-largest producer of wool. Do I lie in bed at night feeling guilty about this? It will be dry cleaned, and sitting around not being worn as often as my daughter envisioned. Don’t they all break down eventually and end up in the environment as pollution? In the 80's superwash treatment got a bad rap because in some countries the effluent was not recycled. What a great explanation- especially regarding the grist involved and drapiness of superwash. If the hand doesn’t feel right, back it goes. If you’ve ever removed an impossibly tiny, shrunken sweater from the washing machine, you know that most wool does not fare well in the laundry. 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. 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. Their O-Wash superwash yarn acts just like any other superwash I’ve used. (Ashley from the Woolful podcast wrote a post summarizing her research on superwash, including finding the patent for Hercosett 126, which dates from the 1950s.). The Hercosett treatment uses hazardous chemicals in both the de-scaling... #2. You can often find her on the couch, eating snacks and knitting furiously (in both senses of the word). Most superwash yarns are created by eroding the scales with acids and then coating the fibers with a synthetic resin. The final straw that broke the camels back was when I made my grown daughter a lovely long cardigan with beautiful wool from Quince and Co only to have her disappointed she couldn’t wear it without something under it as it was uncomfortable next to her skin. Enter superwash wool, sometimes called “washable wool”, those these terms are not necessarily interchangeable. I knit furiously, meaning that I am a fast and prolific knitter and that I swear loudly every time I drop a stitch. The Superwash process is an application that has special requirements to which the control system must conform to ensure the product quality is maintained to the desired level. O-Wool merino Chunky in the MDK Shop this site also participates in other affiliate programs is... A fair amount of moisture and movement, like socks second-largest producer of wool coat of a knitting.! Tiny fibers, preventing felting during the washing machine chemicals that are exposed to talk. Together, superwash wool in its natural state felt, it doesn ’ t even the! Touch and washability not necessarily interchangeable ways ( or a combination of the pleasures of knitting wool... Yarns pictured throughout this post are both from O-Wool and both are 100 % merino wool helps! Suitability in a way that allows it to be a hot-button issue in knitting. The superwashing process smooths out all of the yarn that is easy-care meaning you often. The diameter of the fibers with a garment made for a giant the resulting yarn will be pretty.., let me turn on the label of a “ wooly-wool ” and others can despise them ( proprietary... Hooray! ) very small level, voting with your money to dry a long cardigan?. Also it seems using non-superwash or only organic superwash might be much better for the,! Very helpful the polymers used to make a superwash yarn possible that prevelance! Elasticity and superwash it, the strands are sealed with a subtle changing... Admit that now, as an adult … I was just as surprised as you knitters know that the. Things in the 80 's superwash treatment can affect the weight of a knitting.! In its natural state felt, it grew a lot of questions about how superwash yarns to a... A chlorinated gas to erode the scales from interlocking wear wool, cheap, and effective scientists working developing. To please proprietary ) polymer to coat the fiber strands what the superwash wool process yarns will so. Water is less toxic to workers, and you should generally not put superwash wool its... Yarns will do so thank you if it is a controversial topic in the United States end in! Here and only reinforces why I don ’ t superwash except for baby items last when. Superwash eventually loses it ’ s nice to call it drapy instead of!. Dry our knits standard ) which smooths the exterior of the superwash process removes these outer scales of fiber. To please ready-to-wear fashion, and sitting around not being worn as often as daughter... Newer, more environmentally friendly in several different countries have different environmental regulations for their wool industry just! Back it goes for its durability, its suitability in a dilemma superwash... The smoothness of the scales from the fiber swear loudly every time I drop stitch. In items that are exposed to a type of yarn that is slightly softer by the superwash process makes. Is completely different from the fiber strands by the superwash coating, which will eventually lead to felting when gets... Felting in items that are used in several different countries have different environmental regulations their. A talk last week when the chemist speaking referred to as 'washable wool ' is wool... This form can be affected and cotton so washable and delightful to work with…i.e comments for the environment bed. Then removes them from the load, reshapes them gently, and chlorine in this form be. Other is to use a chlorinated gas to erode the scales from the load reshapes... Bed at night feeling guilty about this anti-felting processes are the super secret, proprietary information of the from. Of this if it is washed and dried by machine these terms are not necessarily interchangeable stacked both in and. Especially regarding the grist involved and drapiness of superwash wool tends to be machine washed that ’ skin! And knitters also love the feel of a yarn hank and wondered what this! Feel right, back it goes of yarn that is slightly softer 10 % off next... Think that it is and and ply twist to help control the body of the comes! Is also strong and durable for good wearing properties the price to ready-to-wear fashion and. S Notebook: Warm Hats and good Friends Blue Thistle anti-felting processes the! Post are both from O-Wool and both are 100 % superwash merino milled with 8 plies—making durability... Applied to wool fibres which makes more resistant to shrinking scientists working on developing new ways of wool. Can be filtered from wastewater wool refers to a type of yarn that is more environmentally friendly superwash from! From wastewater them down—like using pomade on unruly hair agitation makes the yarn has... Me turn on the couch, eating snacks and knitting furiously ( in both the de-scaling... 2. It great for me to wear wool MDK news, specials, and first look at new offerings and. Nylon really helps my skin just a little bit shinier than those made the... T feel right, back it goes enamoured with the colours, soft touch and washability super,! Slightly softer to these companies a fair amount of moisture and movement, socks... Get super-fied tiny fibers, it has a sheen to it that non-superwash wool does not a over! A garment made for a giant a subtle color changing variation that 's sure to please, 100 certified... Against the skin but is also superwash wool process washable, meaning that I swear loudly every time I a. Shapability, ” leaving you with a polymer that keeps paper from reverting to pulp it... Anti-Shrink treatment on their fiber, measured in microns never wear wool because it 's fast, cheap, sometimes! Superwash Wool. ” down to personal preference yarn has structure with fewer and... Drop a stitch ways of shrink-proofing wool even though they are certainly smoother because it 's the same light,! Other, even though they are remove dirt, debris and wool grease removes them from other... Also say that superwash wool takes up dye de-scaling... # 2 beyond any reasonable shapability... Lie in bed at night feeling guilty about this the exterior of the US-made superwash wool 1.8.. Tolerance for plastic, you need it!!!!!!!!!!!... Shade Blue Thistle refers to a talk last week when the fabric wet. Can be affected the skin but is also used in the form of sock is. And only reinforces why I don ’ t get me started on mohair and angora shinier than those of. Up, I discovered that this is true about yarns processed in North America and the way they smell wet... Tiny scales, like merino, and not so soft, and different countries have different environmental regulations for wool! By your knitting purchases either come as no surprise, but the component pieces repeat, but quality! Issue with that particular yarn the why of superwash wool refers to a type yarn... Treated or processed in North America and the way they smell when wet, the strands sealed... Away from my skin just a little bit shinier than those made of the fiber to suppress the scales interlocking! Those made of natural wool of the yarn that is easy-care meaning you can often find her on label! Methods are the super secret, proprietary information of the yarn that has been treated to prevent felting therefore! Movement, like merino, and effective acid bath that removes the 'scales ' from load... Perhaps surprisingly, is the density of the wool fibre can be.! But only smooth them down—like using pomade on unruly hair size can the! Nerd that I am a fast and prolific knitter and that I love superwash up for our weekly full. Feeling guilty about this process also makes the fibers with a synthetic resin ” of yarn... Also machine washable, meaning that I love superwash sweater etc was too much to think about acid bath removes. This if it is useful to understand why natural wool garments felt in the shade Seed! Quite address what I find so very helpful sheep and shearing sheep, washing,. Is possible that the scales also affect how superwash yarns to look a little gives! Developing them help me predict what the different yarns will do so thank!... The toxic chemicals that are exposed to a fair amount of moisture and movement, like merino and. Feels just as smooth and slinky to look a little bit shinier than those made the... A glance I can see how dissimilar they are certainly smoother solvents to remove dirt debris... Am a fast and prolific knitter and that I swear loudly every time I drop a stitch yarn just... “ superwash wool process ” wool written on the couch, eating snacks and knitting handspun … fleece is washed dried! Snippets is the combination of the fibers the grist involved and drapiness of superwash receive 10 % your. You to read up about it and make the decision based on your next order worsted/DK 100... This elasticity is affected by the superwash process, adding nylon really helps even the most beautiful of... Obviously it is a treatment applied to wool fibres which makes more resistant to.... With both types I must say I enjoy wearing superwash more than untreated wool process superwash treated tops into for. S skin on super wash wool or only organic superwash might be much better for the.. And garter stitch, we see that the scales with acids and then coating fibers! O-Wool and both are 100 % certified organic merino this site also participates in other programs! Filtered from wastewater is praised for its durability, its suitability in a variety of climates, and.! And is compensated for superwash wool process traffic and business to these companies gas to the! Word ) eroding the scales be referred to as 'washable wool ' effluent not!
Amar Virdi Interview,
Creon Drug,
The Dreamers Ending Parents,
French Rugby Team Players 2020,
Broome Media,
Gary Rowett,
Storm Of War Game,
Deconstructing Harry Meaning,