WOOL FABRIC INFORMATION

WOOL FABRIC INFORMATION
Wool is a natural fiber, shorn primarily from sheep
as well as goats and llamas, that has long been
used to create warm and durable clothing and
blankets. Modern uses of wool extend beyond
winter attire, as wool can be found in carpeting,
insulation, felt and luxury suits. Wool is different
than fur: it has characteristic bends, or crimps,
along the fiber, has the capacity to stretch when
woven and grows in clusters known as staples.
The crimps let the fibers bunch together, which
results in a bulkier material that also acts as a
superior insulator. Fine wool, such as Merino,
may have dozens of crimps per inch, while
rougher wools may only have a handful. Wool
fabric has the unique ability to stretch much
further than silk, cotton, or other natural fibers
and regains its original shape after being
stretched. It has an extremely high absorbency
rate and is flame retardant, which makes it useful
in firefighters' uniforms and carpeting in trains
and airplanes. Wool also does not build up static
cling; the fabric will not cling to the body or
produce a spark. Wool is naturally absorbent, and
can absorb almost 1/3 of its own weight. Wool
has existed since the domestication of sheep and
goats, and wool fabric was readily available to
the general populace long before silk or cotton,
fabrics that were considered luxuries reserved for
the upper classes. Wool was one of the most
prominent trading goods of medieval times and
greatly impacted Europe's economy. England
became central to the production of wool fabric
beginning in the 1200's, and its protectionism of
the material only grew throughout the ensuing
centuries. England guarded her wool furiously;
American colonies were forbidden to trade wool
with anyone but England. Today, of the one billion
sheep in the world, only thirty million are in
England. Australia, New Zealand and China have
emerged as the producers of the majority of wool
in the market. Through selective breeding and
improvements to the fibers, over 60% of today's
wool production is used for apparel. Wool is put
through a time-honored cleaning and
classification process in order to ready it for
weaving. Grease wool, or the wool straight off the
sheep, contains lanolin, dirt, skin cells and various
other particles, and must be cleaned by hand and
subsequently in a soapy bath. The lanolin
retrieved in this process is popular in lotions and
hand creams. The cleaned wool is separated and
the fluffy fleece is set aside from the other, less
valuable remnants. Fleece of varying qualities are
then sorted into similar groups and packaged for
sale. The quality of wool is determined by the
crimps, fiber diameter, color and strength, with
the fiber diameter being the most important
factor. A wool fiber with a diameter of less than
25 microns is considered fine and suitable for
garment use, while the thicker grades are
relegated to carpeting, insulation and rugs. Wool
fabric has come a long way from the scratchy,
oversize sweaters of the past. Superfine Merino
wool makes ultra-expensive suits, while synthetic
blends such as silk/wool or cotton/wool add
shine and breathability to this classic material.
Wool fabric works well in skirts, shirts, pants,
coats, hats and other winter accessories, as well
as industrial uses such as insulation and
commercial carpeting. Wool may also be used for
blankets and, when treated with lanolin, resists
odor, water seepage, and bacteria. Wool can also
be harvested organically, which reduces the
chances for wool allergies and any adverse
reactions to chemicals. Wool fabric's soft feel,
great features, and fabulous drape make for a
very pleasant experience.