Superwash Wool Yarn

Learn more about some of the major fiber types!

Superwash wool yarn is yarn that has been specially treated (typically in some sort of acid bath) to remove the scales and make it machine-washable, and often machine-dryable as well. Superwash wool is extremely popular for projects that may need to be washed more often, such as baby blankets and clothing.

Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, angora from rabbits, and other types of wool from camelids.

Wool is extremely versatile. Wool is able to absorb up to 30 percent of its weight in water and still feel warm and dry against the skin, making it especially good for our Portland winters.

Wool also has excellent memory, it can stretch up to 1/3 of its length and it will bounce back to its original shape. This make it perfect for garments that you want to be fitted, and projects like socks and gloves that get stretched a lot through use.

Wool can be added to blends with cotton or bamboo which have great drape but little memory for bouncing back after being stretched — this gives the best of both worlds: memory and drape.

Finally, wool is naturally flame retardant so it can safely be used for things like baby blankets. Wool ignites at a higher temperature than cotton and some synthetic fibers. It has lower rate of flame spread, low heat release, low heat of combustion, and does not melt or drip; it forms a char which is insulating and self-extinguishing, and contributes less to toxic gases and smoke than other flooring products, when used in carpets. Wool carpets are specified for high safety environments, such as trains and aircraft. Wool is usually specified for garments for firefighters, soldiers, and others in occupations where they are exposed to the likelihood of fire.

Purchase your superwash wool yarn in any quantity or weight you’d like, using our Custom Yarn Creator.

Here are some projects that our customers have made with our superwash wool yarn:

Superwash Wool Yarn Project

ABC Baby Blanket

Superwash Wool Yarn Baby Blanket

Honeycomb Baby Blanket

  • Type of fiber: Protein (derived from animals)
  • Hand: Warm, with good elasticity
  • Care: Hand wash / lay flat to dry

At Yarnia, we carry wool yarn in a variety of weights–ideal for knitting, crochet and weaving. We also carry alpaca and cashmere yarns, if you’d like something a little softer and more luxurious than regular wool. We have the capability to wind multiple strands of this mercerized cotton together to produce a thicker finished yarn, which works wonderfully for knitting and crocheting as well. We sell all of our yarns by the ounce, yard, or pound so you can order exactly the amount you need for your project. You may order using our Custom Yarn Creator, by using the “chat with us” box in the bottom left corner of the screen, or by giving us a call at (503) 939-5338.

View all of the wool yarn we have in stock by visiting our Custom Yarn Creator!

superwash wool yarn in forest green

Source: Wikipedia