Lambswool clothing and other yarns - how are they produced?
Nothing beats a nice warm jumper on a cold winter's day. Or, in fact a cardigan, zip-up, sweater vest or gilet. And it's even better when it's the finest lambswool clothing, ensuring that the wearer stays warm and comfortable, no matter what the weather. But do you ever think about what goes into the manufacturing of this most comfy of attire?
It's surprisingly complex, with around 30 processed involved in turning luxury yarns, such as cashmere, merino and lambswool, into jumpers and other garments.
Looking at each material, they are all very different. Merino wool is beautifully soft yet very strong, and takes its name from the Merino sheep. These were originally bred only in Spain but now are reared around the globe, with the flocks of New Zealand particularly loved for the quality of their wool.
Cashmere has always been seen as a luxury material, even dating back to Roman times when only the highest-ranking leaders were allowed to wear it. The coat of the Cashmere goat is particularly soft, producing garments that are both warm and comfortable but which also breathe well.
Before waterproof materials like Gore-Tex were invented, cashmere was used as the fabric of choice for explorers, for example those attempting to conquer Everest.
Although lambswool is not seen as being as luxurious as cashmere or merino, it's still a desirable and highly efficient natural material. It's very strong, can absorb water without feeling very wet and some breeds of sheep produce a non-itchy fleece which cab be used to make comfortable, warm jumpers and other pieces of lambswool clothing.
Lambswool clothing - http://www.houseofbruar.com/scotland/scottish-lambswool.html
It's surprisingly complex, with around 30 processed involved in turning luxury yarns, such as cashmere, merino and lambswool, into jumpers and other garments.
Looking at each material, they are all very different. Merino wool is beautifully soft yet very strong, and takes its name from the Merino sheep. These were originally bred only in Spain but now are reared around the globe, with the flocks of New Zealand particularly loved for the quality of their wool.
Cashmere has always been seen as a luxury material, even dating back to Roman times when only the highest-ranking leaders were allowed to wear it. The coat of the Cashmere goat is particularly soft, producing garments that are both warm and comfortable but which also breathe well.
Before waterproof materials like Gore-Tex were invented, cashmere was used as the fabric of choice for explorers, for example those attempting to conquer Everest.
Although lambswool is not seen as being as luxurious as cashmere or merino, it's still a desirable and highly efficient natural material. It's very strong, can absorb water without feeling very wet and some breeds of sheep produce a non-itchy fleece which cab be used to make comfortable, warm jumpers and other pieces of lambswool clothing.
Lambswool clothing - http://www.houseofbruar.com/scotland/scottish-lambswool.html
