Will a Barbour wool jumper shrink?

[Muddybuddy]

It’s quite expensive for me so I don’t want to make a mistake. One size is almost perfect but on the snug side, the next one up is a bit big. Th label says wool (nothing specific about what type of wool) and I’m worried about whether it will shrink in the wash and if so, I should keep the larger one

Keep the one that fits best and then just be careful when washing it. There's no reason for it to shrink unless you plan to turn up the machine as high as it goes, chuck it in and see what happens. (That's my favourite setting...)

I’d keep the bigger one if it were me. It’s nice to have enough room for an extra layer underneath.

Do you have a specialist wool cycle (or other cold cycle) on your machine? Most woollen items absolutely will shrink if you try to get away with washing them on the wrong cycle, even an easy care one. But if you go with the correct cycle then it should be fine. Dry flat on an airer in a warm room (no heated airers or, obviously, tumble dryers!)

Yes I do have a wool setting. I’m just always nervous about washing wool as I had a favourite jumper shrink and I’m still mourning it

My husband has one that It gets washed on a 30. It's been fine and looks as good as new.

Wool shrinks due to two things: heat and agitation, that’s how you make felt and how you wreck your knitwear. If your machine has a cold/delicate setting, that should be absolutely fine. If in any doubt a gentle squidge in a bowl of warm soapy water followed by a rinse and short spin will be completely fine. Then dry your jumper flat if possible - and of course, never ever peg on a line. Real wool doesn’t need washing very often though, only when stained/dirty. It will be fine aired on a radiator or in the fresh air between wearing - as wool will sort of self clean.