I wish I'd been told when I first started knitting that most yarn sold as "Wool", even "100% merino wool" actually contains plastic! I spent years wondering why most wool was so slippery. Now that I know I'll always try to get real (non-superwash) wool. Thanks for this informative, sensible video. Just subscribed.
I literally washed cashmere in the machine for years. It was a front loader, on cold, delicate cycle (means more water, less agitation). No felting. And if I’m looking for drape, there are alpaca and lovely wool-silk blends. I’m ok with the pressure points of my socks getting a little felty. If I wanted to wrap my feet in plastic, I’d knit acrylic socks.
You are a wealth of knowledge. I had NO DEA that super wash yarn had anything to do with plastic! I feel like we’ve all been lied to and I’m MAD! The main reason I buy actual wool and pay more money is because it’s a NATURAL product!! I’m really steamed that the industry could dupe us once again and there is nothing about 5he wool containing plastic on the label! It’s insane 🤬🤬🤬. The last thing I want to do is to add more micro plastic into the water supply! Thank you for this eye opener!
I understand how you feel. I had the same reaction when I first found out. But before you get too mad at your superwash yarn, not ALL processes are the same so they don't all contain plastics. The annoying part is unless the yarn maker specifically notes which process they use, you don't get to know. This is all why I'm buying less and less superwash these days. 😋
I'm glad I don't have to feel guilty for *not* using superwash yarn, when everyone else was using it to make things easier on the people they were gifting their work to.
A old video from Arno & Carlos talked about their sweater and how well wool self cleans and they put them out in the winter cold which like so called disinfect them🤷♀️can exactly remember but I am sure you can find it. I was shocked to hear they don’t need to cleaned as much as most of us think.
I've been noticing there is a lot more discussion about negative qualities of superwash in the last couple of years and a lot of trendy designers are steering people towards non-superwash. It's interesting how we develop new technologies, use them a lot, then realise we threw out the baby with the bath water and then return to more traditional ways.
Yup, so true. I'm really curious to try the Amble yarn and see if it behaves the same way other superwash processed yarn does. My educated guess is that it will still be suppressing some of the natural wool's best qualities.
@@Knicoleknits Yeah, I'm thinking it will behave like other Superwash yarns; however, it would definitely be better for the environment. Plastics get used is so many things. It would be good to find other ways of doing things that aren't as harmful, but it would take time to replace all the plastics we use. However, I buy laundry sheets (dehydrated laundry detergent basically) and don't have to worry about buying a jug of detergent several times a year. Now I get these and that's less plastic for that one item at least.
Just love your videos and when I see that you've posted a new one, I save it up until I'm sitting comfortably and can watch it with no distractions. I just have one issue - I'm waiting patiently to learn about 'sequence knitting' - you keep teasing us with mentions of a video on it! Will it be soon?
I'm so glad to hear you say you hand wash and hand dry your socks. I do too! Mine and those of rest of my family of five. I don't put a lot of effort into it. Just let them sit in warm soapy water for a good while, roll them in a towel, squeeze most of the water out and lay them flat to dry. It takes some time but not hands-on time so I don't mind. So far I have used superwash for socks but I've been looking for a non-superwash yarn with no nylon. I want to try and knit this on a tight gauge (2 mm needles) to see how long the socks would last. Unfortunately, I have so many woolly plans it might be a while before I get around to this. 😁 Plus I still have a few balls of superwash sock yarn in my stash that I want to use up first. Another thing I have noticed about nonsuperwash yarn is that, to me at least, it feels warmer and cozier. I too am sensitive to prickle but I've been lucky to find that as I use more non-superwash wool, it bothers me less and less. And when I hand-prepare by carding or combing and handspin, the prickle is a lot less than with commercial yarns, even from breeds that are not known for their softness! My handspinning skills are not up to sock-yarn-thinness yet but who knows... Maybe they will be by the time my superwash stash has been knit up 😉
Thanks so much for this! I love that you are creating your own yarn from "scratch" to lessen the "itch" 😆 I'm thinking there must be a way to knit natural wool socks that are durable. After all, it's not like no one hand knit socks before we had superwash and nylon 😉😋 I feel like I need to do some research and then make an update to this video 😊
I definately think there's a place for both but I am leaning away from super wash just because I am enjoying completely natural wools right now and the way they behave and the fact that i can source them from local farmers thru my amazing lys and a tiny heritage festival in my area . I have both in my stash and I love every yarn I have. I definitely have accidently machine washed my small accessories, socks, hats , mittens, and the like and I have been super glad they were super wash, however the garments I have made lately and all the ones I am planning next all happen to be non superwash or plant fibers.
This is a very interesting topic for me because recently I just found out about how super wash Yarn was made. I have a little bit of acrylic, but I don’t buy a lot of acrylic because for 1. I don’t like how it feels in my hands when I’m working it, 2. I don’t like the fact that it’s a petroleum product. The acrylic I have is for a baby blanket, so they can throw it in the wash. Then I learned about how super wash yarn was made, and I’m like oh my God, am I gonna have to throw all this out? No, I’m not, I have a lot of money invested in my Yarn, and I’m not gonna do that. However, I am going to start paying attention and buying 100% or other natural fibers such as silk, baby yak, baby camel or Cashmere. The other options are cotton, linen, hemp & bamboo, these are all natural fibers as well, and I’m going to be looking into buying more of those. The plant fiber yarns are great for making blankets and baby items and this is going to be my new go to instead of acrylic.
I think that's going to change. I'm seeing a lot more yarns being labeled eco-friendly, so the industry is clearly starting to understand that knitters care 💖
All great points and, yes have experienced several of these issues! You continue to be The Bomb! And did not know about the new eco-friendly being made now, wanna hear more about that! Bummer for me: lot's of super wash yarns in my stash :(, due to being the "shopping yarn queen" in the late 90s through August 2009 -STROKE! Yikes! Thanks much, as always!
So, why do people use superwash yarn for socks? I finally understand why the first pair I ever knit went wonky. I think the moisture and heat from my feet made them grow and when I washed them, with the % of elastic in the fibre, they went back into shape, but not for long.
It's curious isn't it? Having knit with a lot of superwash in my day, I know that not all SW yarns are created equal. Some of them definitely hold up better than others. Patons Kroy sock yarn has always worked well for me 😊
Great food for thought! Which yarns can we buy that are non-superwash and also not prickly? Is there a way to know before purchasing at shops online? Thanks for your fun and informative videos!
I agree wholeheartedly but I will continue to make baby clothes from superwash (Drops merino extra fine) for their washability. New mothers won't put their babies in jumpers that need special washing, or the garment will just get scooped up with the rest of the washing. I'd rather the vast majority of the garment is non itchy wool rather than acrylic. Drops have an interesting page on sustainability.
Thanks for saying wool doesn't need to be washed often. It is naturally anti-bacterial. Unless you are a growing teen boy with really stinky feet, you can air dry those socks after wearing (unless you work in mud), and they are fine, usually for 3-4 full day wearings. I've heard knitters say to just throw superwash into the dryer, as that takes care of the 'growing' that happened when it got wet, but not so sure about it actually working.
Ironically, I don't like superwash anymore because of the washing. I get the pros of not felting, but it absorbs all sorts of scents- perfume/deo, sweat, smoke, iffy smelling train scent... It is particularly bad with a sweater containing 70%wool, 10% cashmere and 20% microfiber, it reeks in the shortest time possible. That means I have to wash my sweaters all the time- in winter, when it takes ages for them to dry. Meanwhile, non superwash wool is self-cleaning, I don't need to wash it often. If I do, I often use the washing machine (after testing it with a swatch). Despite the machine being at least 12 years old, I have had no problem using the wool cycle and lower the spinning from 1200 times to somewhere between 400-600.
💕😀xx thanks for your podcast Nicole. Preaching to the converted though! I NEVER knit with superwash with one exception, socks. I’d much rather hand wash my precious knitted garments, also I very rarely wash, just like you. Xx
Huh 🤔… I’ve never had your problems… I use SuperWash for my socks, luckily, because my Mom throws the socks I made her in both the washing machine (warm water) AND the drier. She says they turn out great. I’ve been knitting socks for my parent for over 12 years, and no complaints about felting.
Excellent! There can be so many variables with fiber content, milling, and treatments, that it’s hard to know which specific yarn will perform and which won’t. When you find a good one, stitch with it! 😁
Oh wow - so appreciate the clear explanation in a perfect sized episode. One question- I’m guessing the drapiness will also cause heavy items knitted with superwash it to stretch a lot? Asking because I am 1/3 of the way through a cabled cardigan - already was debating whether to frog for other reasons but if it is going to stretch, I’d rather stop now and move to a project more fitted to the yarn. Thank you!
It will stretch like crazy when it’s wet, but if you block it back into submission, it should be fine. I find natural wool generally gives a better - and lighter - result for cable knits, but if the design isn’t all over cable work, you’ll probably get away with it 😊
Oh dear , i just purchased some superwash two days ago , for scarf, bu1t i wont purchase it again , thankyou for this video Nicole , youre an amazing woman
Hi Nicole! I do not buy superwash anymore for environmental reasons too, although I am glad you mentioned new superwash methods that are better for the planet. However… when I was you get and more naive ( like a year ago) I bought some super beautiful deep green superwash merino (my fave colour), the limited line Fleurville by the Yarn Collective. Now I have 3 skeins 1,050 m, 4 ply, 350 m per 100gr and I do not know what to do as I learned the hard way what superwash can turn into. I certainly do not want to throw it. Any suggestions for a good pattern? I am a size small and I do not knit too tight ( unfortunately in this case) so with any pattern I can actually get away with an xs… if you have any suggestion I would be really grateful. And I seem to like a lot what you like, by the way.
I guess it's going to be mostly plant-based fibers for me going forward. I know myself well enough to realize that if I can't machine wash a garment, I won't wear it. I want to be as ecologically responsible and sustainable as my budget will allow, so it sounds like until more environmentally friendly superwash methods become more widespread, I'm better off dropping wool entirely.
Well, that was a very interesting video! But now I don't know what to do! I got Barbara Walker's "Learn to Knit Afghan" book, however I planned to make a larger blanket with it. I wanted to use a wool product because I saw that some of the squares have to be aggressively blocked. I planned to use Cascade 220 Superwash because of the wide color range and because it is supposed to be washable and dryable. It's not the washing of a large blanket that worries me, it's the drying. I will need to wash any blanket fairly often because of my husband's allergies. A large tub would do. But do you line dry it? Inquiring minds want to know! 🙂 Thank you!
You can line dry with lots of clothes pegs to support the weight. I often hang blankets over a stair rail to dry, but that only works if you have stairs 😁 You can machine dry in a pinch, but try to limit the machine drying as much as possible. 😊
@@Knicoleknits Thanks! My worry was that the blanket might stretch out. Your answer is very helpful, because I cannot find any articles about caring for hand-made wool blankets. Many people will tell you they don't need laundering often, but don't go beyond that. Based on what you have said, I think I will go with non-superwash wool. I will hand-wash it. If it is heavy, I wlll first lay it to dry flat on towels. Then, when it is not as wet, I will put it on a clothesline to finish drying. Thank you so much for the information! I am learning so much from your videos!
That depends on the twist of the yarn and your particular knitting technique. This one question might have to be the subject of an entire video as there are so many factors involved 😋
It sucks that superwash has so many environmental problems and that it doesn’t have as much elasticity nor moisture wicking properties like regular wool but for someone who makes look of tank tops and crop tops it’s a necessity since normal wool is often far too itchy.
I don't like chemicals or plastic. I'm allergic to most chemicals, but not to wool. I know, odd. But I'm really happy about that. So, no super wash for me.
I have a daughter that is allergic to acrylic. I made a pair of socks for her out of wool and had her try those out to see if she would have a reaction to it (natural fiber) and she did not! So I tried a wool sock yarn with nylon in it to see if those would also work for her and they did! So now I make her socks that she isn't allergic to and she can wear. Win! Win!
I didn't know the properties of superwash wool and made a sweater. I'm disappointed in how it stretched out.😢 Definitely not going to be using it again !
Are Drops Alaska and Nepal safe from plastic? Can’t believe they don’t even say it straight up and sell it as 100% wool. They should say 95% wool 5% plastic. It’s not just an environmental issue, that plastic goes into our body.
The only way to know for sure is if they specifically mention which superwash method they use for their yarns. If you can't find the info on their website, you could contact them and ask for details. 😊
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I wish I'd been told when I first started knitting that most yarn sold as "Wool", even "100% merino wool" actually contains plastic! I spent years wondering why most wool was so slippery. Now that I know I'll always try to get real (non-superwash) wool. Thanks for this informative, sensible video. Just subscribed.
Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! 😊
Oscar never give up, keep asking for the cashmere dog bed 😂😂😂
Love your humor Nicole.... and of course your videos!
Ha ha! He’s a persistent puppy. Maybe someday he’ll wear me down 😉🤣
I use Superwah only for socks...I am so glad you brought out this topic. Thanks as always ❤
I literally washed cashmere in the machine for years. It was a front loader, on cold, delicate cycle (means more water, less agitation). No felting. And if I’m looking for drape, there are alpaca and lovely wool-silk blends.
I’m ok with the pressure points of my socks getting a little felty. If I wanted to wrap my feet in plastic, I’d knit acrylic socks.
All good points 😊 Thanks for adding to the conversation!
You are a wealth of knowledge. I had NO DEA that super wash yarn had anything to do with plastic! I feel like we’ve all been lied to and I’m MAD! The main reason I buy actual wool and pay more money is because it’s a NATURAL product!! I’m really steamed that the industry could dupe us once again and there is nothing about 5he wool containing plastic on the label! It’s insane 🤬🤬🤬. The last thing I want to do is to add more micro plastic into the water supply!
Thank you for this eye opener!
I understand how you feel. I had the same reaction when I first found out. But before you get too mad at your superwash yarn, not ALL processes are the same so they don't all contain plastics. The annoying part is unless the yarn maker specifically notes which process they use, you don't get to know. This is all why I'm buying less and less superwash these days. 😋
I am looking forward to your Steeking video. I haven't been brave enough to try that yet.
It can be scary, but when done right it’s really fun 😋
You are a Wonderful Teacher.
Thank you! 😃
I'm glad I don't have to feel guilty for *not* using superwash yarn, when everyone else was using it to make things easier on the people they were gifting their work to.
A old video from Arno & Carlos talked about their sweater and how well wool self cleans and they put them out in the winter cold which like so called disinfect them🤷♀️can exactly remember but I am sure you can find it. I was shocked to hear they don’t need to cleaned as much as most of us think.
I know! Wool is amazing, isn't it? 😊
I've been noticing there is a lot more discussion about negative qualities of superwash in the last couple of years and a lot of trendy designers are steering people towards non-superwash. It's interesting how we develop new technologies, use them a lot, then realise we threw out the baby with the bath water and then return to more traditional ways.
Yup, so true. I'm really curious to try the Amble yarn and see if it behaves the same way other superwash processed yarn does. My educated guess is that it will still be suppressing some of the natural wool's best qualities.
@@Knicoleknits Yeah, I'm thinking it will behave like other Superwash yarns; however, it would definitely be better for the environment. Plastics get used is so many things. It would be good to find other ways of doing things that aren't as harmful, but it would take time to replace all the plastics we use. However, I buy laundry sheets (dehydrated laundry detergent basically) and don't have to worry about buying a jug of detergent several times a year. Now I get these and that's less plastic for that one item at least.
Just love your videos and when I see that you've posted a new one, I save it up until I'm sitting comfortably and can watch it with no distractions. I just have one issue - I'm waiting patiently to learn about 'sequence knitting' - you keep teasing us with mentions of a video on it! Will it be soon?
Ha ha! Yes, the sequence knitting video will be soon...maybe even next week 😉
@@Knicoleknitsgoody!!!!!
I'm so glad to hear you say you hand wash and hand dry your socks. I do too! Mine and those of rest of my family of five. I don't put a lot of effort into it. Just let them sit in warm soapy water for a good while, roll them in a towel, squeeze most of the water out and lay them flat to dry. It takes some time but not hands-on time so I don't mind. So far I have used superwash for socks but I've been looking for a non-superwash yarn with no nylon. I want to try and knit this on a tight gauge (2 mm needles) to see how long the socks would last. Unfortunately, I have so many woolly plans it might be a while before I get around to this. 😁 Plus I still have a few balls of superwash sock yarn in my stash that I want to use up first. Another thing I have noticed about nonsuperwash yarn is that, to me at least, it feels warmer and cozier. I too am sensitive to prickle but I've been lucky to find that as I use more non-superwash wool, it bothers me less and less. And when I hand-prepare by carding or combing and handspin, the prickle is a lot less than with commercial yarns, even from breeds that are not known for their softness! My handspinning skills are not up to sock-yarn-thinness yet but who knows... Maybe they will be by the time my superwash stash has been knit up 😉
Thanks so much for this! I love that you are creating your own yarn from "scratch" to lessen the "itch" 😆 I'm thinking there must be a way to knit natural wool socks that are durable. After all, it's not like no one hand knit socks before we had superwash and nylon 😉😋 I feel like I need to do some research and then make an update to this video 😊
I definately think there's a place for both but I am leaning away from super wash just because I am enjoying completely natural wools right now and the way they behave and the fact that i can source them from local farmers thru my amazing lys and a tiny heritage festival in my area . I have both in my stash and I love every yarn I have. I definitely have accidently machine washed my small accessories, socks, hats , mittens, and the like and I have been super glad they were super wash, however the garments I have made lately and all the ones I am planning next all happen to be non superwash or plant fibers.
Thanks for your thoughts. I get the value on both sides, but I too am more and more enjoying the hand and knitabilty of natural wools 😊
This is a very interesting topic for me because recently I just found out about how super wash Yarn was made. I have a little bit of acrylic, but I don’t buy a lot of acrylic because for 1. I don’t like how it feels in my hands when I’m working it, 2. I don’t like the fact that it’s a petroleum product. The acrylic I have is for a baby blanket, so they can throw it in the wash. Then I learned about how super wash yarn was made, and I’m like oh my God, am I gonna have to throw all this out? No, I’m not, I have a lot of money invested in my Yarn, and I’m not gonna do that. However, I am going to start paying attention and buying 100% or other natural fibers such as silk, baby yak, baby camel or Cashmere. The other options are cotton, linen, hemp & bamboo, these are all natural fibers as well, and I’m going to be looking into buying more of those. The plant fiber yarns are great for making blankets and baby items and this is going to be my new go to instead of acrylic.
Yes! Thank you. Plant fibers are an excellent alternative to wool for baby items. I should have added that! 😋
Yeah there is a definite trend away from super wash wool. But the stuff is everywhere! It’s hard to find non SW
I think that's going to change. I'm seeing a lot more yarns being labeled eco-friendly, so the industry is clearly starting to understand that knitters care 💖
All great points and, yes have experienced several of these issues! You continue to be The Bomb! And did not know about the new eco-friendly being made now, wanna hear more about that! Bummer for me: lot's of super wash yarns in my stash :(, due to being the "shopping yarn queen" in the late 90s through August 2009 -STROKE! Yikes! Thanks much, as always!
Ha ha! Thanks so much for watching 😊
So, why do people use superwash yarn for socks? I finally understand why the first pair I ever knit went wonky. I think the moisture and heat from my feet made them grow and when I washed them, with the % of elastic in the fibre, they went back into shape, but not for long.
It's curious isn't it? Having knit with a lot of superwash in my day, I know that not all SW yarns are created equal. Some of them definitely hold up better than others. Patons Kroy sock yarn has always worked well for me 😊
I’ve knitted many pairs of socks with superwash yarns and only had one pair shrink after washing/drying in the machine.
I suspect some of the processes do a better job than others. ☺️
Great food for thought! Which yarns can we buy that are non-superwash and also not prickly? Is there a way to know before purchasing at shops online? Thanks for your fun and informative videos!
I've been knitting with Yak recently and it's pretty amazing. Very "wooly" but still soft with nary a prickle or pill. Check out mYak yarns!
I agree wholeheartedly but I will continue to make baby clothes from superwash (Drops merino extra fine) for their washability. New mothers won't put their babies in jumpers that need special washing, or the garment will just get scooped up with the rest of the washing. I'd rather the vast majority of the garment is non itchy wool rather than acrylic. Drops have an interesting page on sustainability.
Thanks for saying wool doesn't need to be washed often. It is naturally anti-bacterial. Unless you are a growing teen boy with really stinky feet, you can air dry those socks after wearing (unless you work in mud), and they are fine, usually for 3-4 full day wearings. I've heard knitters say to just throw superwash into the dryer, as that takes care of the 'growing' that happened when it got wet, but not so sure about it actually working.
I’m not so sure either. And I don’t think all superwashes are created equal. I think some might “out wash” others. It seems to be luck of the draw. 😋
Ironically, I don't like superwash anymore because of the washing. I get the pros of not felting, but it absorbs all sorts of scents- perfume/deo, sweat, smoke, iffy smelling train scent... It is particularly bad with a sweater containing 70%wool, 10% cashmere and 20% microfiber, it reeks in the shortest time possible. That means I have to wash my sweaters all the time- in winter, when it takes ages for them to dry. Meanwhile, non superwash wool is self-cleaning, I don't need to wash it often. If I do, I often use the washing machine (after testing it with a swatch). Despite the machine being at least 12 years old, I have had no problem using the wool cycle and lower the spinning from 1200 times to somewhere between 400-600.
Thanks so much for the great advice! 😊
Love little Oscar! Thanks for a great podcast!
Very helpful information.
Thank you for that information! I love knitting socks and will check out that yarn.
💕😀xx thanks for your podcast Nicole. Preaching to the converted though! I NEVER knit with superwash with one exception, socks. I’d much rather hand wash my precious knitted garments, also I very rarely wash, just like you. Xx
Great minds…😉😁
Huh 🤔… I’ve never had your problems… I use SuperWash for my socks, luckily, because my Mom throws the socks I made her in both the washing machine (warm water) AND the drier. She says they turn out great.
I’ve been knitting socks for my parent for over 12 years, and no complaints about felting.
Excellent! There can be so many variables with fiber content, milling, and treatments, that it’s hard to know which specific yarn will perform and which won’t. When you find a good one, stitch with it! 😁
Oh wow - so appreciate the clear explanation in a perfect sized episode. One question- I’m guessing the drapiness will also cause heavy items knitted with superwash it to stretch a lot? Asking because I am 1/3 of the way through a cabled cardigan - already was debating whether to frog for other reasons but if it is going to stretch, I’d rather stop now and move to a project more fitted to the yarn. Thank you!
It will stretch like crazy when it’s wet, but if you block it back into submission, it should be fine. I find natural wool generally gives a better - and lighter - result for cable knits, but if the design isn’t all over cable work, you’ll probably get away with it 😊
Oh dear , i just purchased some superwash two days ago , for scarf, bu1t i wont purchase it again , thankyou for this video Nicole , youre an amazing woman
Go ahead and buy it, if it’s the right thing for your project. I’m just encouraging people to be mindful about yarn choices 😊
@@Knicoleknits thankyou Nicole , i will be mindful in future, cheers lovely 🇦🇺
Hi Nicole! I do not buy superwash anymore for environmental reasons too, although I am glad you mentioned new superwash methods that are better for the planet. However… when I was you get and more naive ( like a year ago) I bought some super beautiful deep green superwash merino (my fave colour), the limited line Fleurville by the Yarn Collective. Now I have 3 skeins 1,050 m, 4 ply, 350 m per 100gr and I do not know what to do as I learned the hard way what superwash can turn into. I certainly do not want to throw it. Any suggestions for a good pattern? I am a size small and I do not knit too tight ( unfortunately in this case) so with any pattern I can actually get away with an xs… if you have any suggestion I would be really grateful. And I seem to like a lot what you like, by the way.
Let me give this some thought and get back to you 😊
I guess it's going to be mostly plant-based fibers for me going forward. I know myself well enough to realize that if I can't machine wash a garment, I won't wear it. I want to be as ecologically responsible and sustainable as my budget will allow, so it sounds like until more environmentally friendly superwash methods become more widespread, I'm better off dropping wool entirely.
Well, that was a very interesting video! But now I don't know what to do! I got Barbara Walker's "Learn to Knit Afghan" book, however I planned to make a larger blanket with it. I wanted to use a wool product because I saw that some of the squares have to be aggressively blocked. I planned to use Cascade 220 Superwash because of the wide color range and because it is supposed to be washable and dryable.
It's not the washing of a large blanket that worries me, it's the drying. I will need to wash any blanket fairly often because of my husband's allergies. A large tub would do. But do you line dry it?
Inquiring minds want to know! 🙂 Thank you!
You can line dry with lots of clothes pegs to support the weight. I often hang blankets over a stair rail to dry, but that only works if you have stairs 😁
You can machine dry in a pinch, but try to limit the machine drying as much as possible. 😊
@@Knicoleknits Thanks! My worry was that the blanket might stretch out. Your answer is very helpful, because I cannot find any articles about caring for hand-made wool blankets. Many people will tell you they don't need laundering often, but don't go beyond that.
Based on what you have said, I think I will go with non-superwash wool. I will hand-wash it. If it is heavy, I wlll first lay it to dry flat on towels. Then, when it is not as wet, I will put it on a clothesline to finish drying. Thank you so much for the information! I am learning so much from your videos!
Could you talk about if it is best to pull from the outside or the center?
That depends on the twist of the yarn and your particular knitting technique. This one question might have to be the subject of an entire video as there are so many factors involved 😋
It sucks that superwash has so many environmental problems and that it doesn’t have as much elasticity nor moisture wicking properties like regular wool but for someone who makes look of tank tops and crop tops it’s a necessity since normal wool is often far too itchy.
Yup. All true. Fingers crossed that the new processes are more eco friendly 😊
I don't like chemicals or plastic. I'm allergic to most chemicals, but not to wool. I know, odd. But I'm really happy about that. So, no super wash for me.
I have a daughter that is allergic to acrylic. I made a pair of socks for her out of wool and had her try those out to see if she would have a reaction to it (natural fiber) and she did not! So I tried a wool sock yarn with nylon in it to see if those would also work for her and they did! So now I make her socks that she isn't allergic to and she can wear. Win! Win!
❤
I never liked Superwash...to me, it stretches and feels slimey...I prefer wooly wool....nice Podcast.
Right? It gets sooo weird when you get it wet 😋
I didn't know the properties of superwash wool and made a sweater. I'm disappointed in how it stretched out.😢 Definitely not going to be using it again !
I stay away from SW - just stretch out and loses its shape. Don’t like using it!
Are Drops Alaska and Nepal safe from plastic?
Can’t believe they don’t even say it straight up and sell it as 100% wool. They should say 95% wool 5% plastic.
It’s not just an environmental issue, that plastic goes into our body.
The only way to know for sure is if they specifically mention which superwash method they use for their yarns. If you can't find the info on their website, you could contact them and ask for details. 😊
@@Knicoleknits they mention in the description that they are not treated with superwash
@@alethea.handmade Good news!
Can't you just steam block super wash yarns?
Yes, you can steam block if you’re careful and the piece isn’t too large. 😊