This is fascinating! I thought the regular wool would've felted. But I'm amazed that the superwash grew then came back to it original size. And the drape! Wow. Thank you for sharing this experiment. Learning about fibers is very important to knitting, in my opinion.
i'm a new person to knitting @ 9 years & also new @using , learning about wool & superwash wool @ 5 years . i appreciate how you've answered many of my questions just by answering all questions put to you! so since i've given away some of my creations it is so important to me how the new owner cares for or desires to care for what i've made. thank you for offering your time & thought to do this!
Thank you. I found that my superwash garments were growing and losing structure in the machine, so I handwash them. It’s worth the extra time & effort to maintain the garments size & shape after all my hard work creating them.
This has been such an interesting experiment. I don't use superwash very much (except for socks) so it's interesting to see the different characteristics it has.
I love some fulling in my socks so I detest the couch-potato-ness of SW socks. One friend knit SW socks for husband, washed once, they shrunk and fit her. I usually wash my handknit socks from regular wool, some handspun, 2-3x at laundromat in cold water. Some drying, say 5". Thanks for showing this. Great video.
That’s what I say to the ladies in the fb groups. That Superwash stretches in the length and it becomes squishy and limp in repeat washings. Thanks Susanne 👍
Really interesting stuff. I didn’t realise superwash really meant something proper, nor that there are two methods to do it where one would wash off. I’ve always been reluctant to buy wool because I don’t have the means to hand wash but maybe I could buy superwash... tempted to do my own experiments
I wish you had done a pair of swatches through washing machine but not the dryer. Drying is much more stressful to wool than washing I believe.... Great videos!
I put them through the dryer on the first run, but have only put them through the washer since. With cold water on gentle cycle. More to come. Thank you so much! 🧶
I think when you strip the scales or coat them in SW, you rob the wool of all it’s lovely characteristics. The breathability, the hand of the fibre. I am a hand wash wool fan all the way and I know that will not be everyone’s truth, but it is mine. Superwash does allow for all the incredible dying so I do miss out on that!
I always use sw when giving a wool item as a gift. It takes an exceptional person to remember to care for a hand knit item carefully and properly. Sw may not be perfect but it is way better than having a two toddler sweater turn into a six month size after an accidental washing in hot water.
I had some labels printed with “Hand wash only” and sew one in the back of gift sweaters and I’ve given away lots of the small bottles of Eucalan 😊. Then I cross my fingers.....
I'm assuming its cold water wash with gentle dry cycle? Also what kind of soap are you using in the wash cycle? It might be interesting to see how different soaps effect the fabric.
Do you know of a list comparing superwash method by manufacturers? I think I would prefer the one that removes the scales. I wonder which method is more costly for them. Honestly I steer clear of SW after making a baby blanket using a major brand named for some mountains. But I hand washed it rather than machine washing. That growing thing was weird to me and the fuzziness while wet was as well. No idea how it aged as it is off in the world somewhere.
I made a small blanket with a mid priced brand of sw worsted. Very disappointed in how much it “sheds”every time I wash it, and lots of pilling. Would love to hear some favorite brands of sw wool for knitting with. Seems tedious to hand wash a blanket. Good to know about the two different methods of making sw wool. Thanks Suzanne.
Ravelry has a good yarn index with feedback from knitters. Clara Parks also has a couple books on yarns and their properties. I think that rather than the superwash vs non superwash, in order to avoid pilling you would need to find a yarn with a tighter twist. And multiple plies. I don't think that it is the superwash in particular that causes the pilling, but the style of yarn. Also, longer fibers tend to pill less. Merino is a short fiber. Hope this helps.
I'm curious why you didn't take a microscopic picture of the scales to determine the superwash method. If you don't have a microscope, every veterinarian does. And taking a picture through the eyepiece with a camera phone works fine. Still loving this experiment. Thanks
I’m confused on your process. Washing machine on cold, gentle cycle. But then into the machine dryer? If so, is that why the non SW is felting? I’m fascinated with your grand experiment! I occasionally use the machine, but prefer hand washing. Also I’m against SW due to environmental concerns and loss of warmth. So I am mainly interested in your non SW results. Thank you ☺️
In the washing machine, cold water, top loader, no agitator, gentle cycle, no dryer, lay flat to dry. My preferred wool is also NSW, but I also knit with SW. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. 🧶
Very interesting comment you made about the two different methods to make superwash yarn. I had no idea there were two methods. It makes total sense now. I've bought SW sock yarn many, many times and some socks never shrink and some have shrunk. After my first pair shrunk, I double checked the label thinking I had made a mistake about it being SW. I didn't make a mistake. It was labeled SW, but that SW yarn was made by coating the wool scales and not by stripping the scales off. So, eventually the coating wore off & they shrunk. If I had known that, I would've washed that pair differently. Is there any way to know which method was used?
Cold water wash. The first they went through, I also put them through the dryer. The second and third time, I took them out after the wash and laid them flat to dry, although the felted swatch was pretty flat already. 🧶
@@SuzanneBryan as I am from Sweden, just asking. ‘The dryer’ is this like a tumble dryer och like a cabinet hang dryer? If tumble, did you also use cool as washing, or low/high heat? Can’t wait for the next video 😃👍 will be very interesting to see how the SW behaves
It's not too-late to add another set to the collection: • do some that have borders (of garter?) so traditionally they would lay flat, but the experiment would be if the two (the body would remain stocking stitch) would combat one-another in shrinkage -- especially if one has borders on the top/bottom, VS sides, VS (sorry, I went from 2 extra pieces to SIX! QUICK! Stop me from typing after I finish this interrupted sentence, or I might suggest EIGHT!!!!!) all sides.
Yes, I get it. Thanks. I am repeating the washing portion with a second set of yarns and I will try it then. I am going to use Cascade 220 in superwash and non superwash, just to double check my results. Thank you.
This is fascinating! I thought the regular wool would've felted. But I'm amazed that the superwash grew then came back to it original size. And the drape! Wow. Thank you for sharing this experiment. Learning about fibers is very important to knitting, in my opinion.
You and me both! 🧶
i'm a new person to knitting @ 9 years & also new @using , learning about wool & superwash wool @ 5 years . i appreciate how you've answered many of my questions just by answering all questions put to you! so since i've given away some of my creations it is so important to me how the new owner cares for or desires to care for what i've made. thank you for offering your time & thought to do this!
Thank you
You're doing a great service for the world.
🧶
Thank you. I found that my superwash garments were growing and losing structure in the machine, so I handwash them. It’s worth the extra time & effort to maintain the garments size & shape after all my hard work creating them.
Exactly. I hand wash everything. 🧶
This has been such an interesting experiment. I don't use superwash very much (except for socks) so it's interesting to see the different characteristics it has.
🧶
This is fascinating! Impatiently waiting for more results. I love all of your video tutorials. They are very helpful 🙂
Thanks mucho!!!
Thank you so much! 🧶
This is a marvelous series. I’m learning so much.
Wonderful! 🧶
Thank you for doing this! So much fun to follow :) Can't wait for the next part. Take care//Sara
Glad you enjoyed it! 🧶
Amazing series.
Thanks so much, Saule!! ❤️
Thank you, Suzanne! Wonderfully interesting, can’t wait for the next one💜💜💜
🧶
I love some fulling in my socks so I detest the couch-potato-ness of SW socks. One friend knit SW socks for husband, washed once, they shrunk and fit her. I usually wash my handknit socks from regular wool, some handspun, 2-3x at laundromat in cold water. Some drying, say 5". Thanks for showing this. Great video.
I have always washed my knitted items by hand, whether super wash or not. Just because. 🧶
To get that fulling is why I wash 2-3x in machine. After that, by hand.
I would to a test on a swatch first, just to make sure you are getting what you want prior to putting your knitted item in the wash. 🧶
I'm enjoying this technical investigation.
🧶
Both swatches are knit perfectly - Excellent tutorial experiment with the different fibers.
Thank you so much! 🧶
That’s what I say to the ladies in the fb groups. That Superwash stretches in the length and it becomes squishy and limp in repeat washings. Thanks Susanne 👍
🧶
Really interesting stuff. I didn’t realise superwash really meant something proper, nor that there are two methods to do it where one would wash off. I’ve always been reluctant to buy wool because I don’t have the means to hand wash but maybe I could buy superwash... tempted to do my own experiments
Great point! 🧶 I hand wash everything whether it is super wash or not.
I wish you had done a pair of swatches through washing machine but not the dryer. Drying is much more stressful to wool than washing I believe.... Great videos!
I put them through the dryer on the first run, but have only put them through the washer since. With cold water on gentle cycle. More to come. Thank you so much! 🧶
Thank you very much for this video and your efforts. I found it very interesting and good to know.
Glad you enjoyed it! 🧶
Thank you for sharing invaluable information .
My pleasure 🧶
This is so interesting. Thank you
You're very welcome 🧶
I think when you strip the scales or coat them in SW, you rob the wool of all it’s lovely characteristics. The breathability, the hand of the fibre. I am a hand wash wool fan all the way and I know that will not be everyone’s truth, but it is mine. Superwash does allow for all the incredible dying so I do miss out on that!
🧶
I always use sw when giving a wool item as a gift. It takes an exceptional person to remember to care for a hand knit item carefully and properly. Sw may not be perfect but it is way better than having a two toddler sweater turn into a six month size after an accidental washing in hot water.
🧶
I had some labels printed with “Hand wash only” and sew one in the back of gift sweaters and I’ve given away lots of the small bottles of Eucalan 😊. Then I cross my fingers.....
Great, thanks for sharing. 🧶
I'm assuming its cold water wash with gentle dry cycle? Also what kind of soap are you using in the wash cycle? It might be interesting to see how different soaps effect the fabric.
Yes, it is cold water and gentle cycle. I am using the soap that I use for my general washing. 🧶
Do you know of a list comparing superwash method by manufacturers? I think I would prefer the one that removes the scales. I wonder which method is more costly for them.
Honestly I steer clear of SW after making a baby blanket using a major brand named for some mountains. But I hand washed it rather than machine washing. That growing thing was weird to me and the fuzziness while wet was as well. No idea how it aged as it is off in the world somewhere.
Not that I know of 🧶
I made a small blanket with a mid priced brand of sw worsted. Very disappointed in how much it “sheds”every time I wash it, and lots of pilling. Would love to hear some favorite brands of sw wool for knitting with. Seems tedious to hand wash a blanket.
Good to know about the two different methods of making sw wool. Thanks Suzanne.
Ravelry has a good yarn index with feedback from knitters. Clara Parks also has a couple books on yarns and their properties. I think that rather than the superwash vs non superwash, in order to avoid pilling you would need to find a yarn with a tighter twist. And multiple plies. I don't think that it is the superwash in particular that causes the pilling, but the style of yarn. Also, longer fibers tend to pill less. Merino is a short fiber. Hope this helps.
I'm curious why you didn't take a microscopic picture of the scales to determine the superwash method. If you don't have a microscope, every veterinarian does. And taking a picture through the eyepiece with a camera phone works fine. Still loving this experiment. Thanks
I could do this for you if you wish.
This would be very interesting. I may have a microscope. Thank you for the idea. 🧶
How did the tan colored swatch feel? It looks felted and quite dense. Great information. Thanks.
I was wishing I could reach in and feel it, too!
It is very felted, soft, but a bit stiff. 🧶
I will give you a better description in the follow up video. 🧶
@@SuzanneBryan This is fun stuff; very absorbing. (Pun intended, haha.) Little did you know you'd have so much dialogue, eh?! 😄
🧶
I’m confused on your process. Washing machine on cold, gentle cycle. But then into the machine dryer? If so, is that why the non SW is felting? I’m fascinated with your grand experiment! I occasionally use the machine, but prefer hand washing. Also I’m against SW due to environmental concerns and loss of warmth. So I am mainly interested in your non SW results. Thank you ☺️
In the washing machine, cold water, top loader, no agitator, gentle cycle, no dryer, lay flat to dry. My preferred wool is also NSW, but I also knit with SW. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. 🧶
@@SuzanneBryan that’s so shocking that the NSW is felting! Looking forward to seeing your results.
🧶
Very interesting comment you made about the two different methods to make superwash yarn. I had no idea there were two methods. It makes total sense now. I've bought SW sock yarn many, many times and some socks never shrink and some have shrunk. After my first pair shrunk, I double checked the label thinking I had made a mistake about it being SW. I didn't make a mistake. It was labeled SW, but that SW yarn was made by coating the wool scales and not by stripping the scales off. So, eventually the coating wore off & they shrunk. If I had known that, I would've washed that pair differently. Is there any way to know which method was used?
There is no way to know, sorry. 🧶
May I ask you at what temperature did you wash and dry them? Thank you!
Cold water. 🧶
Awesome experiment! What washing and drying program did you use? Temperature?
Cold water wash. The first they went through, I also put them through the dryer. The second and third time, I took them out after the wash and laid them flat to dry, although the felted swatch was pretty flat already. 🧶
@@SuzanneBryan as I am from Sweden, just asking. ‘The dryer’ is this like a tumble dryer och like a cabinet hang dryer? If tumble, did you also use cool as washing, or low/high heat? Can’t wait for the next video 😃👍 will be very interesting to see how the SW behaves
Yes, a tumble dryer. the wash was with cold water.
Did you wash and put in drier?
The first time it went through the washer and dryer, after that just the washer on cold water, gentle cycle, top loader, no agitator. 🧶
Are u washing in warm water?
Cold water. 🧶
In my experience sw grows a lot after washing. Sometimes even pills.
So far, no pilling and no appreciable growth, but a big change in the drape. 🧶
It's not too-late to add another set to the collection:
• do some that have borders (of garter?) so traditionally they would lay flat, but the experiment would be if the two (the body would remain stocking stitch) would combat one-another in shrinkage -- especially if one has borders on the top/bottom, VS sides, VS (sorry, I went from 2 extra pieces to SIX! QUICK! Stop me from typing after I finish this interrupted sentence, or I might suggest EIGHT!!!!!) all sides.
Suzanne would not normally ever add an edge because that will distort the gauge. Garter and stockinette do not have the same gauge.
Exactly. 🧶
Norfolk250, I do have a video on edges and gauge swatches - you can view it here - th-cam.com/video/FuAA5MO_UCY/w-d-xo.html 🧶
@@deborahnelson2851
That's what and why I suggested it. Read the (I'll admit, muddled) main comment again.
Yes, I get it. Thanks. I am repeating the washing portion with a second set of yarns and I will try it then. I am going to use Cascade 220 in superwash and non superwash, just to double check my results. Thank you.