Merino is a superfine grade of wool from merino sheep. It is very smoothly spun so that it has a silky appearance. It is soft as cashmere, but does not pill the way cashmere does. It is definitely not itchy.

Because of our New Zealand farming methods, our animals are internationally renowned for being generally very healthy. This has a positive impact on the quality of the wool fibre. The Merino wool fibres are strong, long in length and extremely durable, as a consequence. New Zealand Merino wool is whiter; the yarn is softer and more resilient and therefore provides for longer wearing and durability. See similar questions...

New Zealand Merino wool fibres have a complex structure with a water holding (hydrophilic) interior, known as the cortex and the water-repelling (hydrophobic) exterior known as the cuticle. New Zealand Merino wool fibres will absorb moisture vapour from the high humidity microclimate between the skin and the sock, and release the moisture to an area of lower humidity. As a result, the wearer feels less damp and stays comfortable for a longer period of time. See similar questions...

Scientists over the years have bred a Merino sheep which is exaggeratedly wrinkled. The more wrinkles, the more wool. Unfortunately, greater profits are rarely in the sheep's best interests. In Australia, more wrinkles mean more perspiration and greater susceptibility to fly-strike, a ghastly condition resulting from maggot infestation in the sweaty folds of the sheep's over-wrinkled skin. See similar questions...

Once the sheet of wool batting is enclosed in the cotton covering, we tuft or quilt the Underquilt so that the wool will not shift or move around. See similar questions...

Lets face it, dogs are itchy. Excessive itchiness can drive dogs and their owners crazy. The most common causes are: Fleas, allergies and dry skin. Fleas are eliminated by a shampoo and dip, followed by Advantage. It is also critical to clean and treat the areas which are frequented by the dog. See similar questions...

Shower after you swim and use a mild soap to remove pool chemicals. There are swimmer soaps that are supposed to remove pool chemicals from the skin, or you can use that swimmer shampoo as a body shampoo. You might find that using a exfoliant or scrub puff to remove scaly dead skin will take care of that "fishscale" appearance. Apply a mild lotion while the skin is still moist. Sitting around in a wet bathing suit can result in a rash. See similar questions...

Itchy is the mouse and Scratchy is the cat, I forget where I heard this, but a good way to remember is that you can use letters from "Scratchy" to spell "CAT" See similar questions...

Fort Wool is a man made former military fort adjoining the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT). It was fortified in 1861 and helped in silencing Confederate Batteries attacking Sewell's Point and Willoughby Spit. It was formerly named Fort Calhoun and was re-named for General John E. Wool, Union Commander of Virginia's forces. The Norfolk Naval Station is the largest Naval installation in the world. It is home to more than 70 ships, including the Enterprise, Eisenhower, and George Washington. See similar questions...

Yes, yes, yes, we have special products that we use for wool. We clean wool often. We use a little lower temperature, lower pressure and there is a special low PH rinsing surfactant we use as well. We give special concern to drying time when cleaning wool as well. Most importantly there is no substitute for experience. And our 30 years of cleaning experience makes us the true experts in cleaning wool. Yes, we have special Haitian cotton cleaner, or we can dry-clean it. See similar questions...

This is one of the big controversies in reenacting today. Several US-based companies produce reproduction uniforms that are practically indistinguishable from the real thing. On the other hand, for about half the cost or less, of a new-made repro, a properly converted Swedish wool uniform looks pretty damned close. Most of the established US-based reenactors are moving towards the repros whilst the big European groups remain happy with converted Swedish wool. See similar questions...

You can hook with many different fabrics and yarns. I prefer wool because I like the texture and effect it gives. It is also a natural fibre whick I enjoy working with. The key is to enjoy handling the fabric you choose to work with. Many people hook with yarn, nylons, silks, polar fleece, t-shirts, polyester etc. Each fabric has different levels of durability and gives a different effect when it is hooked. It never hurts to play around with different fabrics. See similar questions...

For people with nasal allergies, these annoying symptoms happen when allergens like pollen, mold, dust mites, and animal dander enter the nose. That’s because your body mistakes allergens for dangerous invaders. When your body attacks these allergens, the nasal passages become inflamed. It is this inflammation that causes you to suffer with nasal allergy symptoms. See similar questions...

Use the Africare Oil Elixir Collection - Anti-Flake Skin and Scalp Formula™, Formulated exclusively for flaky, itchy scalp and dry skin, this oil elixir is blended with essential oils and special infusions that soothes and heals flaking, scaling and itching scalp. Use as directed. The creators of The Best Hair Products™ have created a unique self-adjusting ingredient combination termed C.A.N.T.E.L™. C.A.N.T.E.L™. See similar questions...

This type of allergy is called contact dermatitis. Jewelry often contains nickel. Wearing only jewelry of 18 carat gold may help. People with this type of contact dermatitis may also have difficulties with other items that contain metal, such as doorknobs, keys, metal snaps, buttons and zippers on clothing. See similar questions...

We use two different types of wool sources for various categories of wool carpets. The basic (standard) grade of wool carpets is made of local wool from Kashmir that is used to produce carpets with thick and heavy pile. These carpets usually have bold motifs and are often used in corridors and passageways. The other type of wool that we use for a majority of our carpets comes from New Zealand - Merino sheep wool, often considered to be amongst the finest in the world. See similar questions...

Icelandics are usually sheared twice per year, once in late winter/early spring and once in mid fall. These sheep grow wool amazingly fast. The shorter early spring fleece is fine for felting. Hand spinners value the longer, clean fall fleeces. Contact us for availability. Icelandic sheep come either horned or naturally polled (no horns.) We breed only horned Icelandics -- we like the feral, bucolic look of the horned Icelandic sheep. See similar questions...

Sisal wool is a combination of the best of both worlds. Sisal wool has the look, texture and durability of sisal with the soft feel underfoot of wool. Sisal wool is made of 60% wool and 40% sisal. See similar questions...