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...

Ans. Lamb's wool is obtained by the first shearing of a lamb's wool that is between 7 and 9 months old. The wool so obtained is quit soft as compared to wool obtained from a mature sheep. Virgin wool, on the other hand is wool being used for the first time while making a garment. Lamb wool is much more softer than virgin wool. See similar questions...

Lamb's wool is the first shearing of wool (sheep's hair) from a lamb seven to nine months old. It is very soft and finer than wool from mature sheep. Virgin wool is not from a sheep kept away from rams, but wool being used for the first time in a garment. The difference is in the "hand" or feel of the sweater. Lamb's wool will be softer. And if you like that soft feel and have lots of money check out a cashmere sweater. 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...

Hand-made rugs use natural wool while lower quality synthetic fibers such as nylon are used in machine made rugs. Wool is the traditional fiber used in fine hand made Oriental rugs. Natural wool not only wears longer, but it also preserves its beautiful appearance, stays new-looking longer, and get better as they age. Each wool fiber is made up of millions of "coiled springs" that stretch and give rather than break, and so wool is extremely durable. 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...

Jimmy Beans Wool has sponsored the development and hosting of the site. We didn't want to have to charge users to enjoy the site, so Jimmy Beans Wool is making sure to keep it free for all to use! The goal of a community based site such as myKnitting.com (and many others around the web), is to allow users to express their thoughts, feelings and accomplishments. This goal is also the inherent problem with these types of sites when a malicious user decides to abuse their privileges. See similar questions...

in short, no. if you'd like to have a go at braiding in a whole head of wool for a semi - permanant wooly look, head straight to a wool supplier. if you're after falls that have been made up using wool, that's where i come in! See similar questions...

Alpacas produce fine fiber for spinning into yarn. Alpaca garments are very warm and lightweight. They do not easily tear, pill, stain or create static. Alpaca fiber keeps moisture away from skin and has an amazing ability to resist soil and grime. See similar questions...