I don’t understand why that NSW swatch felted so much. I always wash my woolen handknits on the delicate cycle in cold water and they never felt like that. 🤔 This was very interesting and thorough!
I was also really surprised to hear that both swatches had not gone through hot water or the dryer! When I deliberately felt things like potholders or bags they take quite a while in a hot dryer to get as dense as the nsw washed swatch. It doesn't take much to felt something enough to mess with the texture and drape of the yarn or to start it shrinking, but I've never seen nsw yarn do that on cold with only very gentle agitation so Iwas stunned!
I was wondering if she had a front loader washer or a top agitator type washer. I was even lopi on the wool cycle in my washer and it doesn't felt. Been doing it for years. But I do know you can't wash it in top loaders. It will felt everything.
Thank you so much for taking us on that journey! I was very surprised about the outcome of the re-knit squares, and I am very grateful to know that now before my first big ripping party! :D
Wow Suzanne, what's a project and interesting findings! My husband daren't snicker becausr I can just remind him of all his metal welding experiments. Hah!
After looking at the two swatches that went thru the washer, the NSW felted but the SW swatch looked terrible. So I think a take home message should be even "if you use superwash wool, you should still hand wash."
@@ruthdaisy1036 Over the years I realize if I am going to spend the time to make a sweater, I am probably going to choose NSW yarn and have a garment that stands the test of time and is better for the environment. Not such a fan of SW wool these days.
This is very interesting. I bought Adriafil merino super wash and knitted a cardigan. It became so limp I wouldn’t wear it at all. I decided to reknit it but double stranded so bought more to pair it with. The reclaimed wool wasn’t reconditioned. I didn’t know about it. It was also VERY THIN AND PALE compared to the yarn balls I had left of the same batch. The reclaimed yarn being thinner, lighter and kinky knitted with fresh thicker darker shade meant that the new cardi has a really interesting texture. I love the finished garment though I am a tad trepidatious as to how it will wash. It stick and heavy. I will hand wash it. But despite it being kinky, and despite the original yarn balls started out the same yardage, the reclaimed yarn was much longer. Not sure how it was processed to make it superwash but the increase in drapiness is not something I wanted in a winter cardi.
Thank. You for a great series with your experiments. I have recently started knitting again. After I found out how much fine yarn costs, I decided to start reclaiming yarn. I haven’t been consistent about reconditioning the yarn, but after watching your series, I will never knit with kinky yarn again!!! Thank you for making clear what a difference it makes.
Thanks very much for taking the time to do this experiment. As and indie dyer, I'm often asked about the differences. It's also relevant if I know how much the wool has be processed. I love wool that still smells like wool. It gives my hope that so of the other properties of the wool are left after everything we do to it. ⭐👍
Really interesting and detailed - thank you, Suzanne. Am now off to check my reconditioning technique as I’m about to frog a moth-damaged shawl so your link to this video was brilliantly timed for me! Again, many thanks.
Thank you for doing this Suzanne. This is what I learned: SW and NSW act basically the same as far as gauge in garments but for lace or anything that needs stretching to enhance the pattern, use SW. I think I like NSW wool for mittens and gloves as well. I have reconditioned wool several times because I either need to get it back from a swatch to finish my project or I'm ripping back. I don't mind reconditioning it, it seems to have become part of my process! :)
I found this series really interesting. I am now wondering how the results would have been affected if the swatches had been washed as we would normally wash our garments.
I'm somewhat surprised that the non-superwash stretched swatch is still bigger. That's good to know. Would it go back to 6"x6" if it were washed and blocked again? This series has been great! Thank you so much.
Hi Suzanne,. It might just be me, but it also seems like the color for the superwash wool faded a bit with machine washing. Did you notice that or is it my Ipad? This was a great experiment. I will remember that supewash might not be the best choice for lace. But I will no longer be afraid to use it for other things.
I feel like using different coloured yarn may not be the best for this type of test. I know from fabric sales that the same fabric can feel and behave differently depending on colour treatments. I'd be curious how different they would be if they were the same colour or undyed.
Were the swatches made out of the ripped out yarn blocked again? In my experience, the fabric appears uneven prior to blocking but then evens out again after being blocked again.
There are two sets of ripped out swatches. The first set is ripped out, and reknit and then blocked. The second set was ripped out, the yarn was reconditioned and then reknit and blocked. The first set, the stitches were not good looking after blocking. 🧶
At one point you mentioned repeating these interesting comparisons with Cascade 220 (superwash and not). Did you do that? I'm guessing that all superwash may not be created equal so it would be interesting to compare several different brands of superwash in a similar way. Thanks for your help in educating us!
This was really interesting! Thank you for sharing your experiment! I did have one question though. In the set of swatches that were washed, the superwash swatch looked like it became significantly lighter in color. Is that typical with superwash yarns?
I guess this shows why my SW swatch didn't show such growth that the end result of the sweater did (I did not stretch it after hand washing it). I tried putting in the washer but it shrunk terribly and felted on only the body of the sweater. The sleeves and collar still resemble knitted stitches. Suffice it it say, I was bummed.
Very interesting. Couple of questions. Do you know what breed of wool was used? That makes a difference. Are they both merino? Superwash typically is merino but unless the other wool says merino it may be something else that would explain things. How the wools were spun makes a difference. A spun woolen ( most are) will behave differently than a worsted spun (Shepherd’s Mill). Very interesting possibilities.
As others commented I also don’t understand why your non-super wash version felted so much and even your non-super wash version is pilling. I use my washing machine in gentle cycle with wool wash. I washed my sweaters and knitted dresses hundred times it will never felt like that. And non-super wash doesn’t pill like that. It almost as if you washed them in normal cycle in hot water or something. Wool doesn’t felt like that unless you use hot water and lots of frictions aggressively. I’m not sure if I can agree with your true nature of experiment.
Our experiences with our washing machines may vary. The only way to do a true comparison between your experience and mine is to use the same washing machine. Yes, I used the gentle cycle, no wool wash, no soap, cold water. And yes, these were my real results.
I don’t understand why that NSW swatch felted so much. I always wash my woolen handknits on the delicate cycle in cold water and they never felt like that. 🤔
This was very interesting and thorough!
Thanks for sharing!!🧶
I was also really surprised to hear that both swatches had not gone through hot water or the dryer! When I deliberately felt things like potholders or bags they take quite a while in a hot dryer to get as dense as the nsw washed swatch. It doesn't take much to felt something enough to mess with the texture and drape of the yarn or to start it shrinking, but I've never seen nsw yarn do that on cold with only very gentle agitation so Iwas stunned!
I was wondering if she had a front loader washer or a top agitator type washer. I was even lopi on the wool cycle in my washer and it doesn't felt. Been doing it for years. But I do know you can't wash it in top loaders. It will felt everything.
It would be interesting to see the re-knitted squares washed and blocked to see if there were any changes in appearance afterwards.
All of the reknit swatches were blocked. 🧶
Thank you so much for taking us on that journey! I was very surprised about the outcome of the re-knit squares, and I am very grateful to know that now before my first big ripping party! :D
You are so welcome!🧶
Wow Suzanne, what's a project and interesting findings! My husband daren't snicker becausr I can just remind him of all his metal welding experiments. Hah!
🧶
After looking at the two swatches that went thru the washer, the NSW felted but the SW swatch looked terrible. So I think a take home message should be even "if you use superwash wool, you should still hand wash."
Exactly. 🧶
Yes, I’m sadly thinking the same. So glad I found this video. Super helpful!!
@@ruthdaisy1036 Over the years I realize if I am going to spend the time to make a sweater, I am probably going to choose NSW yarn and have a garment that stands the test of time and is better for the environment. Not such a fan of SW wool these days.
@@brendamorison8671 Yes, good advice.
🧶
Thanks for doing this. It will help me to decide what type of yarn to use in the future for various projects. Your the best💕
Glad it was helpful!🧶
This is very interesting. I bought Adriafil merino super wash and knitted a cardigan. It became so limp I wouldn’t wear it at all. I decided to reknit it but double stranded so bought more to pair it with. The reclaimed wool wasn’t reconditioned. I didn’t know about it. It was also VERY THIN AND PALE compared to the yarn balls I had left of the same batch. The reclaimed yarn being thinner, lighter and kinky knitted with fresh thicker darker shade meant that the new cardi has a really interesting texture. I love the finished garment though I am a tad trepidatious as to how it will wash. It stick and heavy. I will hand wash it. But despite it being kinky, and despite the original yarn balls started out the same yardage, the reclaimed yarn was much longer. Not sure how it was processed to make it superwash but the increase in drapiness is not something I wanted in a winter cardi.
Thank you for all that work! This is great information.
Glad you enjoyed it!🧶
Thank. You for a great series with your experiments. I have recently started knitting again. After I found out how much fine yarn costs, I decided to start reclaiming yarn. I haven’t been consistent about reconditioning the yarn, but after watching your series, I will never knit with kinky yarn again!!! Thank you for making clear what a difference it makes.
yay! You got it! 🧶
Thanks very much for taking the time to do this experiment. As and indie dyer, I'm often asked about the differences. It's also relevant if I know how much the wool has be processed. I love wool that still smells like wool. It gives my hope that so of the other properties of the wool are left after everything we do to it. ⭐👍
Thanks for watching!🧶
This has been fascinating. Thank you for doing this experiment and sharing your results.
My pleasure!🧶
Really interesting and detailed - thank you, Suzanne. Am now off to check my reconditioning technique as I’m about to frog a moth-damaged shawl so your link to this video was brilliantly timed for me! Again, many thanks.
Wonderful!🧶
Thank you for doing this Suzanne. This is what I learned: SW and NSW act basically the same as far as gauge in garments but for lace or anything that needs stretching to enhance the pattern, use SW. I think I like NSW wool for mittens and gloves as well. I have reconditioned wool several times because I either need to get it back from a swatch to finish my project or I'm ripping back. I don't mind reconditioning it, it seems to have become part of my process! :)
I would use the Non superwash for anything that needs to hold the stretch from blocking. Otherwise you comment is right on. Me too.
Thank you Suzanne. I enjoyed your experiment and findings
Glad you enjoyed it!🧶
This has been an interesting series. The science behind the craft makes us more informed artisans.
🧶
Very interesting series! Thank you
🧶
Thank you very much. 🥰
You’re welcome 😊🧶
Dankeschön - this has been really interesting and very helpful indeed! 💗
Glad it was helpful!🧶
Thank you for sharing!
My pleasure, Marguita, and thank you for watching! 😊
I found this series really interesting. I am now wondering how the results would have been affected if the swatches had been washed as we would normally wash our garments.
I will add that to my next test group, good idea. 🧶
I'm somewhat surprised that the non-superwash stretched swatch is still bigger. That's good to know. Would it go back to 6"x6" if it were washed and blocked again? This series has been great! Thank you so much.
Good question! I will give it a try. But, I suspect that it would have to be stretched again. 🧶
Hi Suzanne,. It might just be me, but it also seems like the color for the superwash wool faded a bit with machine washing. Did you notice that or is it my Ipad? This was a great experiment. I will remember that supewash might not be the best choice for lace. But I will no longer be afraid to use it for other things.
It does to me too.
very important to recondition the yarn.....good to know!:)
Absolutely!🧶
I feel like using different coloured yarn may not be the best for this type of test.
I know from fabric sales that the same fabric can feel and behave differently depending on colour treatments. I'd be curious how different they would be if they were the same colour or undyed.
Thank You
You're welcome
I enjoyed this , thanks 🤩
You’re welcome 😊🧶
Were the swatches made out of the ripped out yarn blocked again? In my experience, the fabric appears uneven prior to blocking but then evens out again after being blocked again.
There are two sets of ripped out swatches. The first set is ripped out, and reknit and then blocked. The second set was ripped out, the yarn was reconditioned and then reknit and blocked. The first set, the stitches were not good looking after blocking. 🧶
At one point you mentioned repeating these interesting comparisons with Cascade 220 (superwash and not). Did you do that? I'm guessing that all superwash may not be created equal so it would be interesting to compare several different brands of superwash in a similar way. Thanks for your help in educating us!
It is still on my todo list. Thanks for the reminder.
This was really interesting! Thank you for sharing your experiment! I did have one question though. In the set of swatches that were washed, the superwash swatch looked like it became significantly lighter in color. Is that typical with superwash yarns?
Very helpful! Did you use any detergent when you did the experiment washing the wool through the washer? Or was it just only cold water and agitation?
Just cold water and agitation.
I guess this shows why my SW swatch didn't show such growth that the end result of the sweater did (I did not stretch it after hand washing it). I tried putting in the washer but it shrunk terribly and felted on only the body of the sweater. The sleeves and collar still resemble knitted stitches. Suffice it it say, I was bummed.
Oh my, yes it is good to work with the swatch in advance so that you will know your yarn and know what to expect.
What kind of a washing machine do you have: top loader or side loader?
Top loader, no agitator.
Very interesting. Couple of questions. Do you know what breed of wool was used? That makes a difference. Are they both merino? Superwash typically is merino but unless the other wool says merino it may be something else that would explain things. How the wools were spun makes a difference. A spun woolen ( most are) will behave differently than a worsted spun (Shepherd’s Mill). Very interesting possibilities.
100% Merino. From Wool2Dye4 - W2D4 Merino Worsted - NSW and SW. 🧶
I’m in the middle of reknitting a frogged project I was too lazy to recondition the yarn for and after seeing those swatches I’m cringing at myself 😬
I always heard sw yarn stretched more than non sw yarn after blocking. But you are showing sw stretched less. Hmmm.
That's to say instead of washing in the washing machine
Exactly. 🧶
As others commented I also don’t understand why your non-super wash version felted so much and even your non-super wash version is pilling. I use my washing machine in gentle cycle with wool wash. I washed my sweaters and knitted dresses hundred times it will never felt like that. And non-super wash doesn’t pill like that. It almost as if you washed them in normal cycle in hot water or something. Wool doesn’t felt like that unless you use hot water and lots of frictions aggressively. I’m not sure if I can agree with your true nature of experiment.
Our experiences with our washing machines may vary. The only way to do a true comparison between your experience and mine is to use the same washing machine. Yes, I used the gentle cycle, no wool wash, no soap, cold water. And yes, these were my real results.