Wool Types: What Are They & What Do They Mean?

There are many different types of wool out there. So what makes each one special and why should you buy them?

Merino Wool: Merino wool comes from the Merino Sheep (no surprises there I guess) one of the oldest and toughest breeds of sheep around! Their wool is famous for being incredibly durable yet fine and very soft. It’s ideal for making high quality clothing and accessories such as this scarf and cardigan. The Merino Sheep needs to be sheared at least once a year as their fleece will never stop growing! That’s some coat on that lad!

Lambswool: Lambswool of course comes from the lambs. They are sheared at 7 months old. Their wool is softer and more elastic than their older friends. It’s much shorter and is great for making high quality, warm products such as this scarf and blanket.

Cashmere: This is made from Cashmere Goat wool ! (I actually never knew that.. huh!) The word “wool” is debated though as many people call it “hair”. Cashmere fibers are very fine and lightweight although strong and incredibly soft! Cashmere gives you three times the insulation of sheep wool (which comes in handy for the cold Irish weather). Cashmere can be blended with other wools for that even softer feel! Check out these scarfs and shawls to wrap up in!

Angora: A rabbit?! Wha’ ? That’s right! The Angora Wool is extremely soft and fine. The fibers are thin and so the wool is famous for it’s fluffy silky texture like in these hats and fingerless gloves. Plus look at them...they’re only gorgeous!

Mohair: Not to confuse you now but this wool comes from the Angora Goat! This hair is very durable with a high luster and sheen. Mohair is always considered a luxury wool as it’s softness is unbelievable! Like these scarfs.. I could wear them forever (literally.. they're insanely durable!)

Alpaca: Alpaca wool is very soft and luxurious also! Perfect for making high quality goods. However, one of the main pros of this wool is the fact that it’s hypoallergenic as it has no lanolin in it! However, they often come in blends like these scarfs!