Wool (overview)
The fleece of sheep. Its crimped fibres trap air, so wool insulates, handles moisture well and resists odour. Quality depends mostly on fibre fineness, breed and how the yarn is made. Merino is the fine end of the range.
How it’s made
- 1Sheep are shorn, usually once a year, and the fleece is sorted by fineness and length.
- 2Scoured to remove grease (lanolin), dirt and plant matter, then carded.
- 3Worsted yarns are also combed for a smooth, strong yarn; woollen yarns are only carded and stay loftier and fuzzier.
- 4Spun, then knitted or woven. Machine-washable 'superwash' wool is chemically treated to stop felting.
What to look for
- Fibre fineness (micron): finer wool such as merino feels softer next to skin; coarser wool is more hard-wearing for outer knits
- Schurwolle / virgin wool means new, not recycled, wool
- Animal welfare certification (RWS, ZQ, mulesing-free)
Pros
- Warm, even when damp
- Odour resistant
- Naturally flame-resistant and biodegradable when untreated
Cons
- Can itch if coarse
- Felts with heat and agitation
- Moth risk
Typical use
- Running:
- Mostly as merino in base layers and socks.
- Streetwear:
- Knitwear, coats, trousers.
Sustainability
Renewable and biodegradable when untreated. Land use, methane from sheep and animal welfare are the main concerns, so traceability matters.