Wool: Origins, Manufacturing, Types and Benefits

Welcome to the warm and woven world of wool. From the soft bleating of the first domesticated animals to the elegance of the fabrics it produces, let's dive together into the fascinating world of wool. Let's also discover its ancestral origins, the varieties of fabrics it produces, and the countless benefits it offers us. Let's go!

What is wool?

What is wool? Behind this seemingly simple question lies a rich and fascinating universe, woven by nature and shaped by the history of humanity for several millennia.

Wool, a natural animal material, is much more than just a material . It embodies warmth and comfort , a comforting caress against the skin and protection against the harsh climate. With exceptional insulating properties , it serves as a shield against the winter cold, transforming our coats into real ramparts, blankets into havens of warmth, and rugs into islands of comfort for our feet. But wool is also an ally of choice for athletes , because it knows how to regulate body temperature, offering unparalleled comfort, whatever the intensity of the effort.

However, wool is not limited to the world of fashion or comfort . It is also invited into our homes, in the form of curtains, soft cushions, or elegant tablecloths. Its durability and resistance to wear make it an ideal companion for floor coverings.

In addition, wool is a blank canvas for artistic expression. It bends to the creativity of artists and craftsmen, allowing itself to be tinted with an infinite palette of colors .

The origins/history of wool

The history of wool goes back to time immemorial, long before the writing of history as we know it today. This natural fiber of animal origin was discovered by our ancestors more than 10,000 years ago , somewhere in Asia Minor , thus marking the beginning of a relationship that continues to this day.

However, it is worth noting that its widespread use by ancient civilizations, such as the Sumerians and Egyptians, actually began around 5,000 years ago . These early cultures began exploiting wool for its insulating properties and unmatched softness . Wool was a precious treasure, reserved for the elite and nobles, and it played a vital role in the development of textile crafts, leading to the creation of the first looms . Over the centuries, wool became an economic mainstay for many societies. Indeed, sheep farming spread across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas . Wool was used to create warm and durable clothing, essential for survival in varied environments.

The Renaissance saw the emergence of the wool industry in Europe , with the establishment of weavers' and spinners' guilds . Wool became a valuable commodity, fostering trade between nations, which would contribute to the wealth of colonial empires.

One of the lesser-known but fascinating aspects of wool's history is its role in seafaring . In the 19th century, raw wool was used to caulk the seams of ships' sails , making ships more watertight and resistant to the elements of the sea.

Making wool fabric

Wool fabric manufacturing is a process that begins with the raw material itself, raw wool, and ends with the creation of soft, warm and durable fabrics . In this part, let's explore together the different stages of this artisanal process.

1. Collecting raw wool : It all starts with the shearing of the sheep. The freshly cut fleeces contain the raw wool , still covered with grease, dirt and small impurities. This raw wool is then sorted to remove unwanted elements .
2. Washing : The raw wool is then washed to remove any remaining dirt, sweat and grease. This process, called degreasing , can be done in warm water with mild detergents . Once clean, the wool is rinsed and dried.
3. Carding : After washing, the wool is carded , which means the fibers are combed to untangle them and align them in the same direction. This creates soft, fine fiber sheets.
4. Spinning : The carded wool batts are then stretched and twisted to create wool yarns. This process can be done by hand or by machine, depending on the type of yarn desired.
5. Dyeing : If specific colours are desired, the wool can be dyed at this stage . Dyeing can be done before or after spinning, depending on the manufacturer's needs.
6. Weaving or Knitting : Once the wool yarn is ready, it can be used to create the final fabric . Weaving and knitting are the two most common methods for making wool fabrics . Weaving involves interweaving warp and weft threads on a loom, while knitting involves forming loops using knitting needles.
7. Finishing : Once the wool fabric is completed, it may undergo a finishing process to improve its texture, softness, and overall appearance . This may include brushing, scouring, or various other surface treatments.
8. Quality Inspection : Each piece of wool fabric is inspected to ensure that it meets quality standards. Imperfections are corrected, and the fabric is ready to be used for various creations .

Types of wool fabrics

When we think of wool, we often think of a warm sweater , a scarf, or a stylish winter coat . However, wool has many other uses! This natural material from animals offers incredible versatility, making it a great choice for a wide variety of textile products. In this section, we’ll explore the most commonly used types of wool fabrics , categorized by their use, and discover how wool can bring warmth, comfort, and style to different aspects of our daily lives.

For clothes :

Virgin wool : It comes from the first shearing of an adult sheep and is renowned for its softness and fineness . Virgin wool garments are lightweight, breathable and perfect for suits, dresses and sweaters.

Merino Wool : This wool comes from Merino sheep , known for their extra fine wool. Merino wool fabrics are soft, lightweight, and have thermal regulating properties, making them ideal for underwear, socks, and sportswear.

Tweed Wool : This fabric is known for its rustic, textured look . It is often used to make jackets, country suits, and coats.

Want to make beautiful woolen pieces? Discover our selection of woolen fabrics now, it offers you a range of possibilities to create exceptional clothes. Please note: they are all end-of-series, which means that each piece created from these woolen fabrics will be truly unique!

For accessories :

Curly Wool : This type of wool is used to create textured and curly fabrics, perfect for scarves, shawls and blankets . It is also used quite a bit for interior decoration.

Felted wool : It is made by pressing and heating wool fibers to fuse them together . Felt is ideal for making hats, bags and shoes.

For furnishings :

Serge wool : This dense, durable wool is often used for upholstery fabrics, such as curtains, cushions and tablecloths.

Thick curly wool : It is ideal for making rugs, tapestries and upholstered seats, bringing warmth and comfort to the home.

The benefits of wool

Let’s now discover the five facets that make wool a star among natural fibers .

An exceptional insulator

Wool, a natural fiber of animal origin, offers remarkable insulation . Thanks to its unique structure of air-trapping fibers, wool creates a natural thermal barrier , ensuring warmth in winter and coolness in summer. Whether in the form of clothing, blankets or rugs, wool keeps you comfortably warm when temperatures drop.

Dirt resistance

Wool also stands out for its ability to repel dirt and resist stains . Wool fibers have a naturally impervious surface to dust and liquids , making it easy to maintain and a suitable choice for environments that require a high level of cleanliness. So you can enjoy your wool items while keeping them in perfect condition for longer.

Hypoallergenic and well-being preserved

For those with sensitivities or allergies, wool is frequently recommended . Unlike other synthetic materials, wool does not contain irritating chemicals . In addition, it has an inherent ability to regulate moisture, which helps reduce the presence of dust mites and mold , two common allergy triggers.

Natural flame retardancy

Wool is characterized by its natural flame retardancy, which means that it does not melt or flow in the event of a fire . This property is explained in particular by its chemical composition, based on keratin proteins which are natural polymers. The complex structure of these proteins gives wool a high resistance to combustion compared to some synthetic materials.

In addition, wool has the ability to absorb and release moisture , which, when exposed to heat, helps to extinguish the fire . Its reaction to fire also differs from that of synthetic materials, as it stops burning as soon as it is removed from the heat source. These characteristics make wool an ideal choice in contexts where fire prevention is essential . Small disclaimer, we do not recommend you to test it for yourself. 🤭

Exceptional durability

Wool is known for its exceptional durability . Wool items stand up well to wear and tear and retain their quality over time. This means that wool clothing, blankets and other products have a long lifespan , reducing the need to replace them frequently. By investing in wool items, you help reduce your environmental footprint by minimizing the production of textile waste.

To conclude

Here we are at the end of our exploration of wool , this magnificent material from the fleece of sheep! We hope that you enjoyed this discovery and that you have enriched your knowledge. If you are still thirsty for learning, we invite you to browse our blog article on silk , where you will find the keys to unraveling all its mysteries.