Wool Facts, Helpful Hints & FAQ's

A. Yes. Wool helps regulate body temperature because it is an absorbent fibre. When the air is cool and damp, wool absorbs moisture and keeps a layer of dry, insulating air next to the skin. When it's warm, that same absorption capacity takes up perspiration and keeps insulating dry air next to the skin...making the body's natural cooling system work better. 

A. Knit or woven wool fabrics use two basic types of yarns: woolen or worsted. Woolen yarns are spun from fibre (1" to 3" long) that have been carded only. These softer yarns are not twisted tightly, so more fibre ends touch the skin. Also, the points of the structural scales of the fibre itself can reach the skin. This is particularly true of the coarser wools. The worsted system spins yarns from longer, usually finer fibres after they have been both carded and combed; thus the fibres are more parallel going into the yarn - which is also twisted more tightly than woolen yarns. The combination of finer fibres and tighter spinning puts fewer fibre scale ends next to the skin making it more comfortable to wear. 

A. The initial investment may be more; however, when you invest in a woolen wardrobe, your clothes will reflect both value and style. Wool weaves and knits into hundreds of different fabrics, patterns, weights and blends. Wool fibres do not easily pill, snag, or break, so a wool sweater outwears synthetics. Many lightweight woolen fabrics are good for year-around use. Other versatile wool fabrics are comfortable on the hottest days of summer or the coldest times of winter. Wool feels soft and luxurious, is resilient with natural elasticity and it resists wrinkles. Crush, stretch or twist wool and it springs back into shape. Wool garments don't bag or sag and they are durable. Wool wears for years with lasting good looks. Wool is a good investment. 

A. Some do, some don't. Woolen fabrics that have not been treated for wash ability will shrink because wool has a central hollow core made up of overlaps like shingles on a roof or scales on a fish. Agitate these untreated fibres in soap and water and they interlock so that each fibre can't spring back to its original length, thus the fabric shrinks. Chemists have developed a mild, thin resin which is spread evenly over the fibre surface before spinning. It eliminates the friction between the overlapping scales of the central core of each fibre and eliminates shrinkage. 

A. Wool is the only fibre that naturally resists flaming. Unlike many artificial fibres which often melt and stick to the skin when on fire, wool usually smolders or chars instead of bursting into flame. Although wool will burn under intense fire, it normally self-extinguishes when the flame source is removed.