MEET WOOL

IS IT SUSTAINABLE?

Wool can be a sustainable material when produced using ethical and environmentally friendly practices. Sustainable production involves treating sheep humanely, minimizing the use of harmful chemicals and reducing the environmental impact of the production process.

IS IT DURABLE?

Yes.

IS IT BREATHABLE?

Yes.

IS IT WARM?

Yes.

HISTORY:

Wool is one of the oldest fibers known to humans and has been used for clothing and textiles for thousands of years. The history of wool dates back to the Bronze Age, when primitive sheep were first domesticated in the Middle East around 4000 BCE. Over time, the practice of raising sheep spread throughout the world, from Europe to Asia to the Americas.

Wool became an important commodity in many cultures, particularly in ancient Greece and Rome. The Greeks used it for clothing, blankets, and even sails for their ships. The Romans were known for their high-quality wool textiles, which were exported throughout the empire.

In medieval Europe, it was a valuable trade commodity, with wool merchants becoming some of the wealthiest members of society. Its’ production and trade played a major role in the growth of the English economy during the Middle Ages, and the wool trade was a major factor in the rise of cities like Florence and Bruges.

The Industrial Revolution brought significant changes to the industry, with the development of mechanized wool production and the introduction of synthetic fibers. However, it remained an important textile, particularly for outdoor clothing and blankets, due to its natural insulating and moisture-wicking properties.

Today, wool is still used in a wide range of applications, from clothing and home textiles to insulation and even soundproofing. Production and processing techniques have continued to evolve, with a growing emphasis on sustainable and ethical practices.

PRODUCTION PROCESS:

Wool is produced by shearing the fleece of domesticated sheep. Shearing is the process of carefully removing the wool from the sheep’s body, typically done once or twice a year depending on the breed of the sheep and the climate. Workers carefully remove the fleece from the sheep’s body in one piece, ensuring they don’t damage the fibers or the sheep’s skin.

After shearing, workers typically wash the raw wool to remove any dirt, grease, and other impurities. They call this process scouring, and it involves washing it in water with detergent and sometimes an alkaline solution to eliminate any remaining dirt, lanolin, and other impurities.

Next, the it is carded or combed to straighten and separate the fibers. This helps to remove any remaining impurities and align the fibers in preparation for spinning. After carding, the fiber may be dyed or blended with other fibers to create different colors or textures.

Finally, the it is spun into yarn. It can then be used to create a wide range of textiles for clothing and blankets to carpets and insulation.

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