Wool

Definition and Overview

Wool is a natural animal fiber made by spinning sheep's wool. Because of its scaly fiber surface structure and crimp, it easily traps air, and in apparel its appearance and performance change greatly depending on yarn thickness, wool length, spinning method, and the weave or knit structure.

When the material label says "wool," it generally refers to wool. However, animal hair fibers also include cashmere and mohair, and these may be handled separately from wool as fibers obtained from animals other than sheep.

Characteristics

Wool traps air between its fibers, so it provides excellent warmth. It also readily absorbs and releases moisture, making it less likely to feel stuffy. It has resilience and tends to recover from wrinkles easily, but this varies depending on material design and finishing.

Its surface ranges from smooth worsted-like types to fuller woolen-like types and brushed, soft types. On the other hand, it can develop fuzz, pilling, shrinkage, or felting when wet due to friction, so selecting the appropriate blend and processing for the intended use is important.

• Warmth: It easily traps air and is used in materials for fall and winter.
• Moisture absorption and release: It has the property of helping regulate moisture inside clothing.
• Elasticity: It has recovery properties and is also used for three-dimensional silhouettes.
• Flame resistance: It is not easily melted, but product performance should be checked including blend ratio and processing.

Main Applications

In addition to woven products such as suits, jackets, coats, pants, skirts, and dresses, it is also used in knit products such as sweaters, cardigans, and cut-and-sew items. Materials designed with lightweight yarn and structure are also used for spring and summer clothing.

Thick, brushed textiles are suitable for coats and cold-weather clothing, while supple textiles with a neat surface are suitable for suits and formal wear. It is also used for fashion accessories and interior applications such as scarves, hats, gloves, and blankets, taking advantage of its warmth and soft texture.

How to Choose and Points to Note

When selecting, check not only the blend ratio but also fabric weight, thickness, density, weave or knit structure, and whether it is brushed. Even with the same wool, textiles made with worsted yarn tend to have a cleaner appearance, while textiles made with woolen yarn tend to have more fullness and warmth.

Always follow the care instructions on the product label for washing and ironing. Because washing in water can cause shrinkage or changes in texture, it is important to carry out tests or sample washing in advance. In sewing, for materials that stretch easily or have thickness, consider the sewing conditions including interfacing and seam allowance specifications.

• Because shrinkage rate can also vary by lot and finish, check it before cutting.
• For areas subject to friction, evaluate pilling and fuzzing.
• When ironing, use a pressing cloth and avoid shine or fading caused by pressing too hard.
• Even if shrink-resistant processing has been applied, changes can occur depending on washing conditions, so check the label.

Differences from Similar Terms

Cashmere, mohair, and alpaca are animal hair fibers collected from animals other than sheep. They are sometimes called wool in a broad sense, but in apparel material labeling and textile selection, they are treated separately because the source animal and fiber characteristics differ.

Tweed, flannel, and melton are textile names often made primarily from wool. Wool, on the other hand, is the name of the raw material fiber. In addition, wool blends mixed with polyester and other fibers are used for the purpose of improving durability and ease of handling.

Frequently Asked Questions