Ashford 100% Merino 4 Ply Superwash Wool - 100g & 1kg
Ever wanted to create yarn colours that truly reflect your vision? This 100% Merino 4 Ply Superwash is ready for your dyes, giving you a soft, versatile base that bulks beautifully after washing. Perfect for those who love custom colourwork and want confidence in their finished texture.
Finding a yarn that combines softness and flexibility can be tricky, especially when pre-dyed options limit your creative vision. This yarn gives you a blank canvas—soft, strong, and ready to take on your own colours and techniques—so your ideas can flow freely.
From the first stitch to the finished piece, it responds beautifully, making the process more enjoyable and rewarding. The result is a project that feels uniquely yours, with every strand reflecting your creativity and the luxurious touch of a fibre you can trust.
Thread Collective is offering a yarn ball winding service for Ashford 100% Merino 4 Ply Superwash Wool yarns sold in skeins to help you get started on your next project faster. As soon as your yarn orders arrive at your doorstep, you can use them immediately. No need to wind on your own!
Key Features & Benefits
- 100% Merino Wool: Soft, smooth fibre with 21–22 micron fineness.
- Superwash Treated: Gentle machine washable for easy care.
- Ready to Dye: A natural white base designed for custom colourwork.
- 4 Ply Fingering Weight: Perfect for lightweight garments and accessories.
- Unbulked for Flexibility: Appears fine but blooms beautifully after washing.
- Generous Yardage: 4000m per kilo for large projects without interruption.
Available in 100g & 1kg: Choose the size that suits your project scale.
- 1 x Ashford 100% Merino 4 Ply Superwash Wool Skein (100g) or
- 1 x Ashford 100% Merino 4 Ply Superwash Wool Cone (1kg)
- Fibre Content: 100% Merino Wool (Superwash)
- Micron Count: 21–22 micron
- Weight/Type: 4 Ply / Fingering
- Yarn Length: Approx. 4000m per kilo (4400yds)
- Unit Sizes: 100g skein or 1kg cone
- Care Instructions: Dry flat, gentle machine wash
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Superwash Merino is softer and more drape-friendly due to chemical treatment. Some users note it lacks the natural bloom of untreated Merino and may feel slightly slippery. It washes well but behaves differently than non‑superwash wool.
The tightly plied construction gives excellent stitch definition, making cables and colourwork crisp.
Yes—it's machine-washable and soft next to skin, making it great for baby items. Just use gentle cycle and lay flat to dry. Its breathable Merino properties help regulate temperature.
Pilling is low because of the tight twist—4 ply construction resists abrasion better than single-ply yarns. Many knitters report minimal pilling even after wear, especially with gentle care.
Ashford recommends 26–28 sts × 36 rows = 10 cm using US 2–3 (2.75–3.25 mm) needles. This creates a fine, dense fabric suitable for socks, shawls, and sweaters.
It tends to relax and grow slightly when wet, then shrink modestly during drying—so gauge swatches should be washed before final measurements. Overall fabric drape softens nicely post-wash.
It’s primarily intended for handknitting, but it is also suitable for weaving. As a warp in weaving, choose low tension to avoid overstretch.
Very durable—4‑ply superwash Merino resists abrasion and maintains shape well. It's ideal for accessories and garments that need frequent washing. Just avoid tumble drying.
Yes—that “unbulked” appearance softens and balloons slightly after washing or steaming. A swatch should be washed to check gauge before large projects since fabric weight and drape change post‑wash.