Washable wool - okay for longies/soakers?

[mamaMAMAma]

I went to the yarn store to pick up some circular needles and saw this pastel rainbow colored yarn. Its superwash but it says 100% virgin wool. So I thought this should be okay, now I'm not too sure. I don't really want to waste my time knitting longies for dd#2 and then turn out leaky. What do you gals think? Its from Colorado Yarns. I should have just stayed away from it and wait for my LTK yarn. But it was right there, and its so pretty. BTW, where else do you get your yarn? I'm thinking about getting some merino wool too.

[jessicafairy]

No answer here but I second the question. I was also at the yarn store today eyeing Colorado wool in bright colors! I resisted and bought something else (equally as attractive) because I didn't know if washable wool would work either.

[tboroson]

Funny, I was wondering the same thing and was waiting for an answer on this thread... then this morning, I had a flash of inspiration (well, it was more like a "Duh" moment.) I wear Teva sandals with wool socks all winter. Most of my wool socks are superwash because I'm just too lazy to hand wash socks. Well, more like too lazy to remember to keep them seperated and not throw them in the washer accidentally. And, my washable wool socks seem to be as good or almost as good as my "real" wool socks at repelling water. In any of them I can walk in the snow or rain or splash a bit in puddles, though serious slogging through puddles is too much for 'em. They get wet underneath because of the *mumble mumble* pounds of pressure between my foot and the sandal...

So, based on that realization, I'd guess - Yes, superwash should work for a soaker. I'm going to try one in superwash and see how it works for my oddler (no, that's not a typo. They're all a little odd ), and if it works well I'll make more for the baby-to-come.

[mamaMAMAma]

I'm working on the longies now, should get it done this weekend. I'll lanolize it try it on dd#2 and report back.

[LuvMy2Kidz]

From my limited understanding of wool yarn. Superwash is treated with acid to remove some of the scales from the hair fibers preventing it from felting. And b/c of this it also "theoretically" won't lanolize properly.

[tboroson]

I don't know if there are currently multiple methods of wash-proofing wool, but for the "Superwash" kind specifically the scales aren't removed with acid, they're kind of glued down. Here's a quote explaining it:

"The term Superwash wool is the name created by the International Wool Secretariat to identify pure wool which has been treated by this new process.
Strictly speaking, there are two processes, either one being acceptable. Unlike any other form of processing, the high levels of washability are obtained without in any way affecting the feel of the wool; in fact 'pilling' is said to be very much reduced. The process involves a very mild chlorination of the wool surface. Polymer resin is then applied to form a microscopic film which completely covers the wool fibre surface. This creates a 'rounding off' of the outer scales of the wool fibre, thereby preventing their locking together during washing."

[LuvMy2Kidz]

Well, that would explain why it might not lanolize properly too, lanolin won't stick to it :LOL

[TOmomma]

Originally posted by tboroson
They get wet underneath because of the *mumble mumble* pounds of pressure between my foot and the sandal...