Sheep - Sheep and More Sheep - WHY?
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Some Fascinating Wool Facts
- 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 proteins used to treat hair Keratin, a protein extracted from sheep wool, is used in cosmetics and health products to strengthen hair and nails.
- The biggest difference between the wool from different sheep breeds is its diameter and the amount of crimp in the staple. Merino sheep produce a fine wool with a tight crimp making it a good choice for high-quality apparel and next to the skin wear. A Courser diameter wool, like a Lincoln Longwool, has a long crimp and super durability, which is perfect for socks and weaving warps.
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 can be stretched up to 50% when wet and 30% when dry, but they 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.
Some Photos of the Wool Cell
The surface structure of wool consists of overlapping scales called cuticle cells. These cuticle cells anchor the fiber to a sheep's skin. Cuticle cells point towards the tip of the lock, creating a jagged edge. You can see this in the photo below that is what you would under a microscope. These "barbs" allow the fibers to slip over one another easily in one direction but not the other. This gives wool the ability to felt. Agitation, soap and hot water creates felt.
Cuticle cells provide a tough exterior, protecting the fibre from damage. The cells have a waxy coating, making wool water repellant, but still allowing absorption of water vapor. The water-repellant surface makes wool garments naturally shower-proof and also reduces staining because spills don't soak in easily.
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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 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 washing machine on delicate and allow the garment to air dry.