Anyone knit jumpers?

[Silverpossum]

I'm an experienced knitter and have been thinking about trying a fairisle style jumper for myself. But I wondered whether hand-knitted wool jumpers tend to go out of shape or are a pain to wash or dry without them shrinking?

Thanks in advance.

Lots of yarns are labelled as "Superwash" so aren't a problem. I'm badly allergic, so I can't knit with wool in the Winter (in the Summer I have to take allergy tablets anyway, so I knit then). Obviously avoid anything sold as suitable for felting, but say for example King Cole Merino Blend, would be fine.
I even knitted a sweater out of tweed mill waste one Summer, and my husband washed and wore it for about 10 years with no problems.

I think certain kinds of knitting wool are more forgiving to being washed. I made a fair isle jumper for my grandson out of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino, and he wore it for two years, each of his two sisters wore it and now his little brother is wearing it. It’s well worn, and the cuffs are rather thin, and it’s only ever been hand washed, but it hasn’t felted or shrunk or lost its shape. I rather feel that when the latest incumbent outgrows it, I ought to frame it!
Knit yourself a gorgeous jumper, it’s well worth the effort.

I have knitted many woollen jumpers and they all respond to a machine wash in different ways. I would advise knitting a small square of your chosen wool first and putting it in a wool wash and see how it responds. Does the square felt or does it stay the same texture/ size? If it felts only ever hand-wash the garment. Good luck with the jumper!

Thanks so much both!