About Wool (General & Merino)
Wool comes from the fleece of a sheep. Lanolin (natural oil) comes from this wool. Merino
Wool comes from the Merino sheep, and the fibres are longer and finer, resulting is much
less pilling, if at all.
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Common Wool Fabrics
Alpacas, astrakhan, moleskins, billiard cloths, bedford cord, boucle, cashmere, double cloth,
felt, flannel, frieze gabardines, georgette, homespun, jersey, Melton, serge, twill, whipcord,
carpets and cloths and upholstery.
Worsted Fabrics - Have a clean, smooth weave. It is clear to see the quality and fineness of
this wool fabric. It is perfect for suiting, jackets, trousers, skirts and shorts.
Woollen Fabrics - Has a fuzzy, curly surface and is more stable. Woollen fabrics have
excellent drape and durability, are very warm and are mostly made into blazers, suits,
trousers, dresses. Woollens are harder wearing than worsted wools.
Recommended Uses
Used for suiting, jumpers, hats, socks, scarves, accessories, knitting yarn, furnishings,
blankets and throws. Wool is often blended with other fibres for strength and durability.
Perfume can be added and helps the lanolin (in the wool) become extremely healthy and
safe for the care and beauty of skin.
Properties
Wool has a soft to medium texture, but can be a little prickly on sensitive skin. It is a wavy
(hair) fibre which traps air pockets between the coils, making it very warm. It has good
durability and even though it is weak, wool's elasticity and resilience allows it to bounce
back into shape.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight makes wool become yellow, weak and brittle. Wool is
weaker when wet (although it remains warm to the touch), and repels water reasonably
well. It can absorb up to 20% of its weight before it starts feeling wet or cold to the touch.
Lambswool - This wool is significantly different from adult wool. It is smoother, longer fibre.
Merino lambswool is soft and smooth and often used for knitted garments, as well as fine
quality light weight blazers. Blankets are often made from the cheaper lambswool as the
fibres are springier, fleecier and insulate better
Care
Use the recommended soap or laundry powder and rinse well. When washing wool, DO
NOT RUB IT VIGOROUSLY, or this will felt (or matt) the wool, causing it to shrink
dramatically. Gently scrunch (DO NOT WRING) excess water out.
Lay woollen garments flat on a towel out of the sun. You must, when laying it flat, press it
into the shape and size you want (as it will dry in this shape). Because wool is weaker when
wet, it's easy to overstretch or distort the shape of the garment.
Wool is best ironed slightly damp, using a damp cloth or steam. Always use a press cloth (a
layer of fabric between the iron and the wool) to prevent a ‘shine' on the fabric. Use a
medium heat.
Bleaching is not recommended unless it is specific wool bleach. Fading of coloured wool is
caused by the dye or incorrect laundering.
Wool dry-cleans well however there is no guarantee it will not shrink.
Store wool completely dry, making sure it has been dry-cleaned or laundered properly. You
can store wool in plastic bags and it is recommended to use moth balls or naphthalene. Air
these garments frequently.