Sheep - Sheep and More Sheep - WHY?
1640 South 600 East * Salt Lake City~ UT * 84105 * 801.668.0563
Awe- wool, that wonderful fiber of those animals that followed Mary to school and sent her to detention! LOL Nah- the teacher was probably a city folk who had no idea what that critter was, not to mention how wonderful it really was! Wanna know too? Read on..........
So why are so many so fascinated with wool?
- It Resists Wrinkles - Wool springs back quickly
- Wool is comfortable in all seasons - Really - It Keeps layer of air next to skin
- Resists soiling - Because the fiber is complex
- Wool is Durable - Multi-part fiber resists wear
- Repels Moisture - Fiber sheds water
- Retains Shape - Resilient fibers return to size
- Resists Flames - Fibers will not support combustion
Wool is Durable and Resilient
God has made the fibers in such a way that they act like a coiled spring which elongate when it is extended and retracts when it is released. Did you know that wool fibers to be stretched up to 50% when wet and 30% when dry, and still bounce back to their original shape.
Wool is Absorbent
Wool can easily absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp or clammy. This capacity to absorb moisture makes wool a "temperature regulator" because it can protect the body in both cold and warm conditions.
- Wool absorbs perspiration
- Wool absorbs atmospheric moisture- the hydrogen bond of water is broken and chemically reacts with molecules of the wool to generate heat
- Wool garments are regarded as good protection against hypothermia…
- Wool protect against hot weather as well. The body cools itself naturally with the evaporation of perspiration. Wool helps in this process by absorbing perspiration and keeping dry air next to the skin. This is why wool clothing is worn in the desert regions of the world where it’s hot during the day and cool at night.
Wool is Flame Resistant
Yep- it really is!Because wool contains moisture in each fiber, it resists fire without chemical treatment. Instead of burning when in contact with fire, wool chars and stops burning when it is removed from the source of fire. Wool is self-extinguishing!This is why wool blankets are recommended for putting out small fires
So what in the world is Superwash? A Hero??
Some people think so and others ( like us) do not. Many people love it because they are afraid of shrinking the wool in the washer. Though many of of fiber people LOVE shrinking the wool- we call it felting!
It is a good idea for people who like natural fibers but don't like the idea of hand washing. It is also a good idea if you are giving something as a gift and don't know how the recipient might feel about hand washing a garment.
Superwash wool is wool that has been put through a chemical process to destroy the scales of the fleece. Sometime it has been put through and acid bath that remove the scales and sometimes it is made by coating the fiber with a polymer that basically keeps the scales from being able to join together and felt.
Superwash tends to be slicker than real wool, and many knitters and spinners do not like the "feel" of working with it. You be the judge- but in any case- special care is still needed with washing. I suggest washing the the washing machine on delicate and allow the garment to air dry.