Wool is a natural fibre that is grown by certain kinds of animals, and when it is processed into yarn it can be used to create a wide range of textiles ranging from garments to homewares, and can be used in its natural form as insulation and other commercial and industrial uses. It is one of the oldest textile fibres we know and has been used for millennia.
Sheep have been domesticated from their wild forms for over 10,000 years and over time they have been selectively bred to produce larger, denser and longer fleeces. With that being said, sheep are far from the only animals that produce fibres that we can call wool, with other wool producing species including alpacas, goats and certain camelids.
Wool from other animals and certain breeds of sheep can be finer and more desirable than others, fetching a higher price, though pure standard wool is also considered a higher end product in this day and age where synthetics and wool blends are most common and affordable. This article will explain the key sources of wool, and cover the major differences between the types of wool fibres that you can buy today.
Virgin wool
Any animal that produces wool could be considered to produce virgin wool. VIrgin wool is simply the very first fleece collected from a young animal. Typically this is the softest and finest wool that the animal will ever produce and will become coarser and thicker as the animal ages into maturity. This kind of wool fetches a higher price than the subsequent fleeces, kilo for kilo, and is quite highly prized.
You will often see the words ‘virgin wool’ being used to describe wool that has undergone no treatments other than cleaning and processing which will be a natural colour. This is a distinct difference between unprocessed wool and wool from an animals’ first shearing, and you should be aware of this fact when choosing something made out of wool. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification from a seller if you’re unsure of the context in which the descriptor is being used.
Alpaca
Alpacas are a source of fantastic natural fibres for textile and garment making. They’re native to South America, but the quality of their wool has made them popular all over the world. You’ll find that alpaca wool clothing is in high demand and that every piece made from this fibre will be of a high quality. The individual fibres are very soft, but because they have a larger diameter than other types of wool it can be a little itchy for those with extremely sensitive skin.
Cashmere
One of the finest and most expensive wools on the market, cashmere is known for its lush, soft, lightweight structure. The fibres are incredibly fine and pliable, and when processed into yarn for textile making, it is known for its surprising strength and durability. Unlike many other kinds of wool, cashmere is grown by cashmere goats. This has the added benefit of being free from lanolin which is the chemical component of sheep wool that makes some people sensitive or even allergic to it. As such, cashmere is considered hypoallergenic and can therefore be enjoyed by people with highly sensitive skin, including babies and those with lanolin allergies.
Merino
Merino is a common type of wool that is harvested from the merino sheep. Unlike wool from standard domestic sheep, the fibres that are produced by merino sheep are finer and softer which makes them more desirable in most use cases. Merino wool is also naturally antibacterial which makes it a popular choice for performance clothing. Like cashmere, merino wool is also an excellent material for temperature regulation and it is also highly breathable.
Mohair
Mohair is another kind of wool that is grown by goats, in this case it is the Angora goat which produces the fibres. The fibres produced by these goats are similar in thickness to standard sheep wool, though the surface of each fibre is smoother which makes the wool feel much softer. It is often used to make suits, coats, garments and blankets because it is less prone to shrinkage than other types of wool.
