Why Wool is Best

Wool is best because it just is.  I know that I am biased, but it truly is one of the most versatile fibres available and is great for the environment too.  How do I know?  Well, I cannot remember a time when I didn’t work with wool in some form or another, be it spinning, knitting, crochet or any of the other fibre crafts.

One of the reasons I studied Agricultural Science at university was because I love sheep and working with them.  I also studied environmental science as an option and knew about climate change over 30 years ago!  I returned to sheep for my PhD when I researched control of wool growth. For awhile, I was even a World expert in wool growth. More recently, I selectively breed my Portland sheep for fibre quality.  Now they give me a more consistent fleece, with beautiful, soft, high crimp fine fibre. 

Wool is Best for Versatility

It is one of the most versatile protein fibres.  Wool accepts natural dyes really easily and is used to create beautiful, soft clothing from woolly hats and gloves to flowing cardigans and coats.  It is breathable (I rarely sweat in a woolly coat or jumper), warm (even when wet) and soft.  Wool needs to be washed less than many other materials.

It makes a range of soft furnishings from lovely, snuggly, soft, and warm blankets and cushions to hard wearing carpets.  The insulating properties are used to insulate homes.  The short fibred waste makes great natural slug pellets that work and then breakdown to improve the soil.  What is not to like?

Wool is Best for the Environment

Wool is a carbon accumulator, so takes carbon from the atmosphere and stores it, sometimes for many years.  Great for slowing climate change.  Wool is totally biodegradable; it can be used to make compost or improve soil.  It gives soil structure as it slowly rots down. Additionally, it is a sustainable source of fibre and yarn.

 As wool needs less washing than many other fibres (unless you spill your dinner on it!), less water and detergent is used.  Another environmental benefit.

It cannot be Best for Everything, What about…?

I know some of you think that washing wool is difficult.  Trust me, with modern machine and a wool wash cycle it should be fine.  To dye my fibre, it is boiled.  Yes, boiled and boiled twice!  Once to apply the mordant and the second time for the dye to fix (unless it is dyed with Woad or to get bright red with Madder root).  After an initial rinse, I generally pop it through the washing machine to make sure the yarn is ready for you to use.

I am more likely to felt and shrink wool when I wash it by hand than in the machine.  Wool only felts when it is subjected to heat shock.  Think about getting into a bath – to hot or cold and your muscles will contract.  Wool is exactly the same.  Felting is due to agitation of the fibres, where they rub against each other. Trust me, it is easy to felt wool by hand.  Modern machines do an excellent job of washing wool, provided you don’t put too much in and the fibres have room to move

Wool pills (forms lumpy bits).  This is due to short fibres and / or lack of twist in the yarn.  In modern machine processing, the fibres are roughly treated and can break.  This creates short fibres which will ‘rub’ out of the yarn forming the pill.  This is often found in cheaper yarns and clothes.  On a positive side, at least they are biodegradable, which is more than can be said for the micro-plastics that are washed out of man-made fabrics. 

Why Wool is Best.

It just is and I hope this article has given you reasons.

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