As fibres go, wool is truly fascinating. We’re always shouting about the incredible qualities of wool and the difference it can really make to your comfort, style and even your wellbeing. But, here are a few things you didn’t know about this much-loved fibre…
1. Just one pound of wool makes A LOT of yarn
If your love of wool art knows no bounds, you’re certain to go through your fair share of yarn. But did you know that just one pound of wool can make up to 10 MILES of yarn?
2. There are so many sheep breeds worldwide
There are around 900 sheep breeds in the world, some of which are more widespread than others. Many of the rarer breeds originate from right here in the UK, with Balwen, Black Welsh Mountain Sheep, Blueface Leicester Sheep, Border Leicester and Boreray among the rarest
3. Wool isn’t just from sheep
Our range offers a who’s who of charming and characterful wool producing creatures, but sheep and alpaca aren’t the only wool producers in town.
Rabbits, goats, llamas, camels, guanacos, vicuñas, and yaks all produce incredibly fine fibres. But there’s another, unlikely wool-producing animal we’ve left off our list as AZ Animals details:
“Native to cold northern climates like Greenland, Alaska, and Siberia, musk oxen are large, hairy animals that look like a cross between a bison and a sheep. While they may not be the most attractive creatures in the world, musk oxen produce some of the finest wool around — even softer than cashmere! In fact, musk ox wool is so coveted that people are willing to brave sub-zero temperatures and icy waters just to get their hands on it.”
4. Wool clothing has been used for centuries
The wonders of wool weren’t lost on our ancestors either. While the crown for the oldest excavated fabric goes to linen thanks to the 5,000-year-old Egyptian Tarkhan dress, wool has been washed, woven and worn by humans since 10,000 BCE.
5. Wool used to be prized as currency too
In fact, it was wool that was used to pay the ransom of Richard I of England (also known as Richard the Lionheart). The Roman emperor was paid a year’s clip – roughly 50,000 sacks of wool – for Richard’s safe return.
6. Wool is the key to one US sport in particular
While not too popular in the UK, baseball is pretty big in the US, and there’s one ingredient in particular that’s the secret to any good base hit – wool! Yes, every Major League baseball contains a tightly wound ball of yarn, with the average holding 370 yards of wool windings. The use of wool in a baseball is said to help the ball withstand the force of the hit.
7. Wool is simply the best…
…for so many brilliant reasons! It’s one of the most versatile and sustainable materials on the planet, not to mention super comfortable and cosy to decorate with and wear. It is a biodegradable marvel, with its self-cleaning, temperature regulating, durable and resilient properties creating pieces that you can love for a lifetime or even longer.
Experience the wonder of wool for yourself by shopping our range of natural homewares and accessories.