I did not pay much attention to the material in my younger age and therefore bought acrylic sweaters to my wardrobe.
I remember one specific synthetic sweater giving me electric shock. They all did but this one was next level. Firstly, it was very painful. Secondly, the whole room brightened up. But it did not light up for too long so it could give some benefit. Over time I started to avoid touching certain metallic items like door knobs. Because again, OUCH! The most important job of a sweater is to keep you warm. The fossil fuel-made acrylic one did not complete the job. I felt cold.
Thankfully, I grew up smarter and now I could never choose anything else but a 100% wool knit that would not hurt me. But did you know that wool has so many more life-changing qualities? Read more about the super fibre below.
1. NATURAL
As long as we have grasslands, water and happy sheep, we have wool. In comparison, acrylic yarn derivate from fossil fuels.
2. RENEWABLE
Sheep grow fleece which is usually shredded once a year. A female sheep can produce almost 7 kg and a male sheep 9 kg of wool.
3. BIODEGRADABLE
Wool decomposes in the soil, releasing valuable nutrients back into the earth. These nutrients include nitrogen, sulphur and magnesium, which can help plants grow. Wool fibre decomposes in soil from 3 to 4 months, depending on environmental conditions. Studies have shown that a 100% merino wool chunky sweater decomposes in only 6 months.
4. THERMOSTATIC
Wool is an active fibre that reacts to changes in body temperature. It cools you down in a hot weather and warms you up in a cold weather.
5. BREATHABLE
Wool is extremely breathable. Wool can absorb large quantities of moisture vapour and then make it evaporate into the air. This makes wool garments feel less clingy and more comfortable.
6. ODOUR RESISTANT
Wool absorbs vapour which takes sweat off your body. It even absorbs odour molecules which are responsible for a sweaty smell. These are only released from the wool upon washing.
7. DURABLE
Wool can withstand being bent 20 000 times without breaking. In comparison, cotton breaks after 3000 and silk after 2000 bends. This is due to the natural elasticity. Wool will retain its shape better than other garments and thereto hold a natural resistance to wrinkles. Each wool fibre is made up of millions of coiled springs that stretch and give.
8. SOFT
Merino wool feels gentle on your skin because the fibre is extremely fine that bends more than coarser wool. It does not make you itch. There are different types of sheep that produce softer and rougher wool and can be used in different product lines.
9. STAIN RESISTANT
The wool fibre has a protective layer that helps to prevent stains from being absorbed. And it attracts less dust and lint because wool tends not to generate static electricity.
10. EASY TO TAKE CARE FOR
Wool does not require frequent washing. Due to its self-cleaning properties, you can just hang your wool garment out to air. When it is time to wash, use wool shampoo and wash it either by hand with lukewarm water, or in a washing machine. Make sure to use a good wool programme.
11. UV RESISTANT
Wool provides protection from the sun. As a fibre that has evolved over millions of years to protect sheep, it does a brilliant job to absorb UV radiation. Wear your knits on a sunny day and your skin is safe.
12. ECOSYSTEM FRIENDLY
A polyester fleece garment can produce more than 1900 microfibres per wash. These tiny pieces of plastic, less than 5 mm in diameter, end up in oceans and landfill. These can damage ecosystems and come back to our food plate. Wool fibres do not add to microfibre pollution.
13. ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIMICROBIAL
The thin waxy coating of wool fibre called lanolin contains fatty acids that prevent the growth of mould and bacteria. The same coating repels water that can cause the aforementioned things to grow.
14. HYGROSCOPIC INSULATOR
Wool can absorb under half of its own weight in moisture. It will feel wet to the touch only when wool is saturated with 60% of its own weight. Wool will keep you warm even when wet since it retains 80% of its insulating value when saturated. The reason why you will still feel warm when rain falls on your wool garment.
15. FIRE RESISTANT
The chemical structure makes wool flame resistant. Wool usually extinguishes itself when the source of flame is removed. This natural fibre is used in public areas such as hotels, aircraft, hospitals and theatres. The temperature must reach 570-600°C before wool will ignite, while polyester melts at 252-292°C. Wool can not stick to the skin because it never melts.
16. SHEEP ARE CUTE
Nothing more to say. Enjoy the picture.
