What is Wool Fabric?

For thousands of years, various animals have provided the human race with a renewable resource for clothes – wool.

Why has wool endured such a long history, and why is it so popular? Learn more about this wonder fabric as we explore its history and uses!

What is Wool Fabric?

Wool fabric is a textile that is woven out of animal fleece. Popular sources of wool include sheep, goats, and rabbits. Fine wool from animals like camels, alpacas, and vicunas is also well-known and sought after. You can find wool everywhere from everyday use to couture, even in countries with hot climates.

This natural fiber has several properties that make it ideal for different kinds of garments. The fiber is made up of protein, specifically keratin, providing the fabric with durability and elasticity. It has a crimped look and style that distinguishes it from typical animal hair or fur.

While wool is associated with cold weather, wool is soft, comfortable, and breathable enough for various climates and situations – making it a very versatile fabric, indeed.

History of Wool Fabric

The history of wool starts with the domestication of sheep. Wild sheep with wooly fibers were encouraged to grow in population to provide the appropriate material to spin into the usable wool fabric. This natural selection birthed an industry that produces over 2 million tons of wool per year.

When trade started to grow in the Medieval era, Italy dominated the industry until the rise of silk later on in the 16th century.

During the Industrial Revolution, the wool industry began its automation and ramped up its production. As a colony of the United Kingdom, Australia became a sheep-raising economy and is now today’s wool superpower.

How is Wool Fabric Made?

So how do we go from fleece to beautiful wool fabric?

Shearing

The shearing process is done regularly to maintain sheep or other animals’ hygiene and quality of life.

Cleaning

Some wools contain fats and lipids that need to be rid of to produce wool fabrics, usually done with water or chemical processes. The fibers are then sorted accordingly.

Carding

In the textile industry, carding is the processing of natural or synthetic fibers into long threads that can be used for weaving and other fabric production styles.

Spinning

The carded wool fibers are then twisted into thicker yarns that can be used in the weaving process.

Weaving

The yarns are then woven into the fabric, knitted into different clothes or other items.

How is Wool Fabric Used?

What is wool used for? Here are some examples of how wool is used in everyday life.

Clothing

Perhaps its most popular use, wool has been used in clothing through ancient times up to today. There are even lots of innovations with wool that have pushed the potential of the fabric even further.

Furniture and Interior Furnishings

Furnishings all around the home have used wool – rugs, carpets, upholstery, beddings, and the like.

Insulation Material

Wool also has its industrial uses. Wool insulation is installed in the walls of buildings in order to keep heat inside rooms. This natural material is safe to use and effective, too.

Agricultural Uses

Wool is used in the creation of many materials used in farms and other agricultural operations – horse saddles and rugs are among them. There are times wool is used as fertilizer in slow-release Nitrogen pellets that are great for plants.

Where is Wool Fabric Produced?

The number one producer of wool fabric is down under in Australia. This is no surprise, given the country’s sheep population outnumbering humans! Twenty-five percent of the world’s wool comes from Australia, and businesses produce excellent wool products and designs as well. China, the US, and New Zealand follow closely behind.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Wool Fabric

Like any other fabric, wool has its pros and cons.

Advantages

• Durability – wool fibers are strong and produce durable fabric.
• Comfort – depending on the type of wool
• Wrinkle-resistant – there is no need to iron out most types of wool garments
• Dirt-resistant – dirt can at times roll off the fibers of wool
• Flame-resistant – wool has a high water content that resists burning when exposed to fire
• Water-resistant – wool needs to be saturated in water before it starts feeling wet to the touch.

Disadvantages

• High maintenance – great care must be taken for wool garments and cleaning
• Shrinks – heat and movement can make wool shrink
• Can make skin itch – not all wool fabrics are hypoallergenic
• Absorbs orders – bad smells can stick to the wool fabric for days

What Different Types of Wool Fabric are There?

Several types of wool depend on their animal source. Here are some of the most popular wool types around the world.

Alpaca Wool

Alpaca wool comes from South America. It provides a lightweight fabric that is lustrous, strong, and soft. It’s perfect not just for fashion items and accessories, but blankets and bedspreads, too.

Angora Wool

Angora wool comes from the Turkish Angora rabbit. It’s popular in luxury wear for being extremely lightweight and warm. Because of its delicate nature, great lengths must be taken to take care of it – including regular combing and spot cleaning!

Cashmere

Cashmere comes from Cashmere goat breeds, which span from Australia to China. This classic wool is taken from the goat’s undercoat, which only produces a small amount. It’s delicate but very soft, making it a favorite of high-end sweaters.

Lambswool

True to its name, Lambswool comes from the first shear of a young lamb in its entire life. Due to this, the resulting wool is gentle and hypoallergenic, making it perfect for people with sensitive skin. Due to its unique condition, it’s also very rare wool.

Merino

Merino wool comes from the Merino Sheep of Spain, Australia, and New Zealand. Another wool that requires a laborious process to achieve, producers need to go through some chemical process to remove the fats in the hair. The merino fiber is so thin that it feels best against bare skin.

Mohair

Mohair wool comes from the Turkish Angora goat. It has very thick, long fibers that are very lustrous, making it popular for dresses and fashion accessories. It has a unique look and feel among the different wools.

Shetland

Shetland wool is from the Scottish Shetland sheep. It is a very durable wool thanks to its thick nature. Due to the different colors, the sheep come in, there is a nice range of natural colors wool enthusiasts can choose from.

How Does Wool Fabric Impact the Environment?

While wool is a natural and renewable resource, some parts of the wool industry negatively impact the environment. The farming of animals itself contributes to greenhouse gas emissions – due to the methane gas that the hordes of sheep produce. A lot of water is also used in the production process of wool.

Does Wool Fabric Keep Warm?

The reason wool is a go-to winter fabric is the fact that wool is such a poor heat conductor. This means that it traps your body heat within your sweater or coat. The structure of the wool fiber allows this insulation to happen.

Is Wool Breathable?

Contrary to people’s opinion, wool is actually a breathable fabric – but it depends on what type of wool you are wearing. Breathability is measured through its ability to let air pass through easily, allowing evaporation of moisture like sweat. Wool’s natural fibers are hollow and allow air to pass through – though this is more obvious in fabrics like merino wool.

Can Wool Fabric be Machine Washed?

Yes, the wool fabric can be cleaned in the washing machine – but you have to ensure that you are using the best settings. Wool can easily shrink in the washing machine. A good setting for wool fabrics is a cold water wash and a gentle spin cycle, preferably one used for delicates. Make sure to use a gentle detergent specially formulated for wool to ensure the longevity of your garment!

Will Wool Fabric Shrink?

Wool fabric both shrinks and expands. Everyday use will see some stretching occur. Shrinking usually happens in the wash, when high-temperature water and a spinning movement are used. Thankfully, many wool garments are treated to avoid further shrinking, and a wool cycle is available as a setting on many washing machines.

Is Wool Fabric Suitable for Suits?

Wool fabric is usually associated with colder climates and wintertime, but it’s a great fabric for pieces you can use all year round. In particular, wool suits are a great investment. The fabric looks rich and luxurious, plus it’s good for travel since it resists unsightly wrinkles right out of the luggage.

Impact on Animals

While wool is a result of sheep and other wooly animals requiring regular shearing to improve their quality of life, it is still not a vegan product. Animal farming for wool can still be a cruel practice in some cases. Unfortunately, animal abuse still exists in this industry and has not changed even after so many centuries.

How to Maintain Wool Fabric

When washing wool fabrics, you need to consider if it really needs a complete wash. Too much washing can be bad for the piece’s longevity. Hand washing is the best option if you cannot dry clean. The wool piece needs to be inside-out, and you need to use special wool fabric detergent. Store your wool garments folded in dry, clean wooden cabinets.

Conclusion

Wool fabric may be stereotyped as a winter classic, but it’s more versatile than a lot of people think. This historic fabric continues to be very useful, and more innovations are coming that make it an even more ideal fabric for yo