FAQ: What is Superwash Wool?

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FAQ: What is Superwash Wool?

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LB Collection Superwash MerinoSuperwash wool is a wool yarn that is machine washable and, therefore, will not felt.

Each hair of wool is made up of scales. Felting occurs when these scales bind together. The superwash process prevents the scales from binding in one of two ways. Some superwash wools are given an acid bath that removes its scales. Alternatively, the yarn can be coated with a polymer or resin; this is essentially a protective coating for the yarn to prevent felting. A yarn can be treated with either or both methods to become superwash.

It’s important to remember that excessive heat (such as with a hot setting on a washing machine or dryer) can damage a superwash coating, which may lead to felting. That is why we recommend cold washing and flat drying with our superwash wools. Also, keep in mind that superwash wools tend to stretch a little more than normal. This is because the scales of the yarn cannot bind together. It’s especially important to do a proper gauge swatch with a superwash wool to see how your yarn will stretch.

A final thing worth noting is that not all washable yarns are superwash. This is because superwash is a patented process. Washable wools that are not superwash may have very different washing and drying instructions, so it’s important to always follow your yarn label’s care instructions.

Want to try some superwash wool? Check out our LB Collection Superwash Merino and Superwash Merino Cashmere. For more answers to popular questions, visit our FAQ.

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6 Comments

  • […] Quick tip for working with the LB Collection Superwash Merino: Block your gauge swatch!  All of my projects have looked like new after being machine washed and dried, but I was surprised by how much my projects grew after getting wet.  For more information about superwash wool, check out Jess’s blog post “What is Superwash Wool?“ […]

  • I made a beautiful cabled sweater out of the superwash merino cashmere, which fit me perfectly. I washed the sweater to block it, and it grew. A lot!! The sweater now fits loosely, and the sleeves are about four inches too long. I’m going to attempt to take the sleeves out and shorten them. I had never worked with a superwash yarn before, so I didn’t block my swatch first to check the gauge. A hard lesson learned, but I wanted to warn others before they made the same mistake.

  • Thanks for your notes. I’m knitting a pair of socks out of a superwash merion for a girlfriend of mine’s birthday and am deciding how long to knit the foot of the sock. After reading your notes, I’m going shorter rather than longer. THANKS ♥ I’ll also always knit my gauge swatch AND WASH & BLOCK IT!

  • […] came the superwash — I checked online and found an overview of what makes superwash, well, superwash — and the disclaimer was don’t dry it — don’t abuse it by […]

  • […] lana pura al 100%, purché non trattata antinfeltrente (superwash) non corre nessun rischio di “cedere e ingigantirsi”, al limite quello che può avvenire è il […]

  • […] in wool.  Here’s a great place to start reading about wool – wiki wool.  I use superwash merino – my top of the line fiber – colors are striking it is super soft and fluffy, has luster (a […]

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