Some knits need to survive real life, and everything on this page can go in the washing machine. Wool earns its place through superwash treatment, a process that smooths the microscopic scales on each fibre so they cannot lock together and felt; sock yarns from Bluefaced Leicester fleece and Germany's self-striping Zauberball are classic examples. Cotton and linen require no treatment and offer natural washability for summer tops and children's knits. A cool, gentle cycle and flat drying will still keep finished garments in shape for years.
