Washable wool

[Pleater]

But - to press the question I asked originally - is there a weaving mill using treated wool yarn?

Untreated wool will felt if subjected to heat, warmth and agitation - treated wool resists all three.

I have been using treated wool for knitting for a long time, it is not a new process, though the original yarns had a very strange feel to them, and an odd smell too. Jerseys can be machine washed again and again without any alteration in their size or appearance.

That is woolen spun yarn too - the worsted spun yarn used for weaving tartans is less inclined to felt simply due to the greater alignment of the fibres within the cloth, but it would certainly make washing kilts less nerve wracking if they were shrink resistant.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Highlander31]

We've been over the argument about washing kilts before, and many disagree with me, so there is my disclaimer.

But . . .and it's a big but! I would never dry clean a kilt, no matter what anyone else may say. I do believe that doing so would remove the essential oils that make wool what it is. I don't want that stuff on my kilt. (You will now get lots of reports on successfu dry cleaning, but I did warn you about that.)

You can wash your kilt, but don't do it in a washer. Do it in the tub with mild soap and then hang it up and hose it down. (I use the term hose loosely. the shower head will do a good job. The point is that you wat to get the soap out very gently.) Here's a typical sight that give some instructions.
http://www.your-kilt.com/Kilt-Care.html or
http://www.sonsanddaughtersofscotlan...m#wear%20under or this cool site with photos to demonstrate:
http://www.uncommongatherings.com/RB&Lkilt.htm

Knowing that this works and that dry cleaning is somewhat risky, why not just wash the rascal and rest assured that it'll be OK. As stated above, the real threat is heat, not water.

And, yes, many of us are old enough to remember sweaters and skirts, etc. that come out much smaller than they went in, but some of that is heat and some is the loose weave that tightened up in the wash.

Keep us posted.

P.S. They didn't choose wool in Scotland because it shrinks when wet! Hat's off to Stravaeger for his comment.

Thanks for the links and information.