The Amazing Benefits of Wool
An informative project in collaboration with local illustrator Julie Dennison
Wool has always been a part of my life in many forms. A few years ago, I felt it wasn't being appreciated as it should be. I teamed up with my friend and local artist, Julie Dennison, to create a visual project that highlights the beauty of wool. I hope you enjoy exploring these topics with us.
Supports Local Crofters
Farming is an unpredictable and difficult lifestyle. Whatever you produce, there is risk, whether that’s the weather, seed quality, demand fluctuations, trends or pests. Selling wool is no different.
The price crofters and farmers get for wool depends on several factors. Current demand demand, quality, how the fleece is packed, colour of the fleece, and even the weather when the sheep is clipped can change things. A completely dry fleece can be hard to achieve during a sometimes wet Shetland summer.
If we can increase the demand for wool the price for farmers and crofters will go up. We can help make wool production more worthwhile, especially for smaller, family run businesses.
Naturally Water Resistant
Wool is a common choice for those battling the elements. Fishermen, farmers, and explorers will often choose to wear wool to work in. It is extremely durable in wet conditions and protects the wearer, even when the fabric is damp.
Wool has a natural coating which protects the sheep who live in their cold and wet environments. As wool is an active fibre this coating is still protecting us when the wool has been made into clothing.
First it encourages water droplets to bead up and slip off, with only the first layer or fibres getting wet.
If there is more rain and it starts to get into the mid layer of fibres, wool absorbs it and can hold water for much longer than other fabrics. It doesn’t cling to the wearer and the fibres nearest your skin wick moisture away. This stops the cold, wet fabric from resting on your skin.
Wool also activates when wet and becomes even warmer, making sure that you are warm and comfortable no matter how wet you are! Amazing!
Clipping Is Good For The Sheep
Sheep need to have their wool removed in summer to allow them to regulate their body temperature. Without shearing they could sadly overheat and die.
Urine, faeces and other materials getting caught in the wool can also cause problems to the animal. Anything that is attracting flies, maggots and other pests and could lead to infection and irritation.
The mobility of sheep are affected if wool is left to become overgrown. They could find it difficult to get around obstacles and in some places they can be more susceptible to predators.
A clipped sheep is a happy sheep!
Wool Is Wrinkle Resistant
Wool is easy to look after, the natural crimp and springiness of the fabric means it can keep its shape.
While researching wrinkle resistance in woollen garments most articles were from travel companies who advise woollens for easy packing.
I have travelled many times with woollen products and materials for classes, as well as the outfits for me to wear at knitting festivals. I even vacuum pack these and they turn out fine!
Keeps Air Cleaner
This one is not commonly known, but very interesting!
Using wool inside the home vastly improves air quality. The material absorbs and neutralises common pollutants such as formaldehyde, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. These enter our homes in the form of household cleaners, disinfectants, air fresheners, and even furnashings.
Wool neutralises these quicker and more thoroughly than other fabric options.
So whether you’re picking out carpets, couches, cushions, rugs or blankets, remember wool is a great choice for improving air quality.
Wool Can Be Sourced Locally
Most climates where wool is worn, also has sheep and wool producers. We’re so lucky that this resource is so available, we just need to remember to choose and use it.
Shopping locally is a great way to support your community and the economy. Encouraging small businesses with big ideas really will make someone’s day!
In the UK we are known for our sheep and wool, so why are so many crofters still struggling to sell the wool from their sheep? In many cases the demand is not high enough, the vast majority of clothes sold are synthetic, designed to be cheap rather than effective.
I know I also have some work to do when it comes to investing in the materials I wear rather than being drawn in by a good deal. By choosing natural fibres I will have a wardrobe which is full of sustainable, good quality, long lasting clothes, made with love and care
Wool Is Breathable
Wool is an active fibre, which means that it reacts to your body temperature.
When you sweat while wearing wool, it absorbs the moisture and allows it to evaporate. The result is that your woollen garment will be more comfortable and won’t start to become clingy with sweat.
It is also resistant to odour, so no need to worry about wearing your wool when you are planning to be active!
How does it work?? The natural crimp in the wool fibre traps pockets of air, insulating your skin (as it does for the sheep!). It then traps moisture to maintain a dry ‘microclimate’ next to the skin, keeping you comfortable.
Wool Has Balanced Thermal Properties
We have touched on this in a few of the previous points but there’s so much more to know!
Not only does wool keep you warm in winter, it also keeps you cool in summer. It’s perfect for a varied day or changeable weather!
The natural crimp and curl creates air pockets in the fabric, absorbing moisture and transporting it away from the body. Allowing you to maintain a consistent and comfortable temperature, as it does for the sheep.
You also have increased protection from UV radiation while wearing wool. Not only will your wool curtains keep the cold out at night, it will also protect you when the sun comes out in the morning! It does this my absorbing and breaking down the UV.
Properties in Wool Cannot Be Replicated In Synthetics
Synthetics are a cheaper fabric alternative, generally made from plastics. Since these are man made, the producer has complete control over availability.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT -
The textile industry causes more harm to the environment than any other industry. Reports have shown:
Textiles is responsible for a 10% of global carbon emissions,
and clothing accounts for 20% of industrial water pollution in the world
Polyester, nylon, rayon and acrylic dominate our clothing industry, damaging our environment.
Polyester and Nylon are particularly harmful. The production of nylon emits nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas which is 300x more dangerous to the ozone layer than carbon dioxide. While polyester contaminates huge amounts of water with microplastics.
Wildlife are commonly found to have died from ingesting synthetics they are not able to digest.
Factory workers are especially at risk during the toxic processes.
WHAT ARE SYNTHETICS MADE OF? - Petroleum is common, as well as plastics and various chemicals. These have to be coated or treated in some way, extending the production process, and can often contain silver to help fight bacteria build up. This process once again adds to the dangers factory workers face.
Wool Is Flame Retardant
In order for wool to ignite the temperature must be extremely high, at 570-600°C
Wool cannot support a flame well. High nitrogen and water content in wool requires huge amounts of oxygen to burn and will usually self extinguish quickly.
If wool does smoulder it doesn’t release very much heat at all.
The insulating properties in wool work to prevent the spread of flames, they can even dampen down flame that have taken hold of other materials
If Wool does manage to reach high temperatures, it doesn’t drip, melt or stick, adding extra safety if the worst was to happen.
Wool Is Sustainable, Eco Friendly and Biodegradable
Sheep produce a new fleece of wool every singe year, all we need to make that happen is for the grass to grow!
At the end of its life wool can be returned to the soil where it releases nutrients such as sulphur and magnesium. This enriches the land and helps to give nutrients back to plants and animals.
Wool can biodegrade in as little as 3-4 months.
On the other hand, as long as woollen garments are stored in a dry environment, their condition will not change and can be kept for generations.
Wool Moulds To Your Shape When Worn
The loop structure in knitted fabrics creates flexibility to mould around your body shape. It will become more comfortable with every wear!
To reset the shape of a garment all you have to do is wash it then leave it to dry in shape. This also gives you a lovely new feel!
Moulding to your shape is not the only great reason to wear wool, the structure also means that the fabric is easy to wash. The fibres encourage dirt to stay on the outer surface and should come off easily while washing.
