Superwash wool refers to yarn that has been treated so that it can be washed in the washing machine without shrinking or felting. In this blog post, you will learn about the advantages of superwash wool and get tips on how best to take care of your knit sweaters and crocheted blankets.

Have you ever wondered what exactly it means that a yarn is superwash treated?

Natural wool yarn doesn’t handle high temperatures well, and, as a consequence, the yarn reacts by shrinking and felting when you put it in the washing machine. 

It’s a scenario that I’m sure every knitter and crocheter would like to avoid. It’s heartbreaking to hold a wool sweater in your hands that shrank two sizes in the wash! 

If you choose to knit or crochet a project in superwash yarn, you can avoid this horror scenario - and there are even some other benefits to superwash wool that I’m also going to expand upon in this blog post. 

Let’s start by examining the process of turning regular wool into superwash wool. 

Would you like to learn more about washing your yarn? Skip directly to that section here.

👆 Friends Extra Fine Merino is a superwash yarn and super practical for all kinds of projects. You can wash it in the machine at 30°C/86°F. Find it here.

What Is Superwash Wool?

The clue is in the name: Superwash is a treatment method for wool yarns that makes it possible for you to wash it in the washing machine without having to worry about shrinkage or felting.

Wool is a natural protein fiber consisting of lots of tiny, overlapping scales. These scales don’t tolerate heat or sudden temperature changes very well. If you wash wool at high temperatures, the scales will open up and interlock, and this is what makes wool felt. 

When wool goes through the superwash treatment, the scales are removed, and the fibers are coated in a thin layer of polymer which protects the wool from higher temperatures.

Poly-what? Polymer is a harmless resin commonly found in clothing. A large percentage of your clothing probably has some form of polymer in it.  😉

It will say on the label whether your yarn is superwash treated or not.

👆 Among our superwash yarns, you’ll find our Friends Extra Fine Merino, Unicorn Solid, and Silly Socks.

Did you know … that you can use the wool’s natural tendency to felt to your advantage? You could, for example, try felting baskets, bags, or slippers. Take a look at these lovely felted slippers 💜

Let’s take a look at how best to care for your superwash wool projects.

How to Care for Superwash Yarns

Superwash wool is, as mentioned, machine washable, which makes superwash wool the perfect choice for knit or crocheted clothes for babies and children - or yourself if you don’t have the patience to wash your clothes by hand.

However, you should still be careful if you intend to use your washing machine.

You should wash your superwash wool projects on a wool or delicate program no warmer than 30°C (86°F). Though, some superwash yarns can handle temperatures up to 40°C (104°F). Check the label to be sure.

It’s also a good idea to use a wool detergent, but you shouldn’t use fabric softener since it may affect the fit of the garment. Eucalan is a good wool detergent containing lanolin that leaves your projects nice and soft.

Do not tumble dry superwash yarns.

Tip! Please note that superwash yarns may stretch/grow slightly when worn. Therefore, it’s a good idea to wash your superwash wool clothes regularly to help them find their proper shape again. You could also consider blocking your project. Alternatively, you could knit or crochet your project with a smaller needle/hook size than intended to factor in the stretching.

👆 Find the wool detergent Eucalan here.

What You Need to Know About Working With Superwash Wool

The properties of regular wool and superwash wool are actually pretty different, so I thought it might be a good idea to expand and explain a little.

Superwash wool is less itchy

Wool yarns that have gone through the superwash treatment are, as mentioned, coated with a protective layer of polymer. This layer makes the yarn feel super soft and nice to the touch.

If you tend to stay far away from natural wool, which many people think is a very itchy type of fiber, superwash wool is a great choice for you.

Superwash wool is smoother to work with

The protective layer coating the fibers of superwash wool also makes the yarn smooth and slightly shiner than natural wool yarns that have a frayed feel.

When working with superwash yarns, you’ll notice a clear difference in the smoothness compared to natural wool. The stitches slide easily on the needles - and you may even work up stitches faster than usual. However, the smoother yarn also makes it easier for you to drop stitches … whoops! Watch out for runaway stitches 😊

Tip! If the whole thing gets a little too smooth for you, you could try working with needles or hooks made of different materials. The yarn slides easily on metal needles and hooks. Try a needle or hook made of a natural material like wood or bamboo instead. Find our large selection of knitting needles here and crochet hooks here.

Bright, saturated colors with superwash wool

Superwash wool absorbs dyes better compared to natural wool, which means that the colors will look brighter and more saturated. Please, go nuts with the colors when working with superwash wool - you’re sure to get stunning results.

Superwash wool is not as warm

Until now, I’ve mentioned lots of benefits of superwash yarns. However, there is a downside too. The natural temperature-regulating and insulating effects that you find in natural wool are slightly reduced in superwash wool since the fibers are coated in polymer. 

Is it time to try a superwash wool yarn? Let’s look at your options!

👆 Take a look at the gorgeous, bright colors that the superwash yarn Unicorn Solid come in. The yarn is made of 75% merino wool and 25% polyamide. Find all the colors here.

Try a Superwash Yarn

I would like to point out Unicorn Solid and Friends Extra Fine Merino. Both yarns are soft and beautiful and come in many gorgeous colors. They’re perfect for knitting and crocheting all kinds of projects like socks, sweaters, hats, and scarves for both children and adults.

Tip! Not sure whether you should choose regular wool or superwash wool for a project? It can be a good idea to crochet or knit a swatch if you have any doubts. Read more about making swatches here.

Summary: Superwash Wool

• Superwash wool has been treated in such a way that it can withstand machine washing on a wool or delicate cycle at a maximum of 30°C (86°F). Do not tumble dry.
• Superwash yarn is extra soft, slightly shiny, and has beautiful, saturated colors.
• Superwash wool is perfect for knit or crocheted clothes that are used daily and washed often. It’s great for adults, children, and babies alike.