IS WOOL A SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL?
Absolutely. Because wool is taken from living sheep, it is actually one of our most sustainable material resources.
Wool is very hard-wearing, making wool products long-lasting. The material is also soft and comfortable to wear close to the body. Wool also has the great property that it ventilates, insulates and absorbs at the same time. This means that wool products regulate temperature in a fantastic way and can be used with advantage in both winter and summer.
In addition, wool is naturally antibacterial and dirt-repellent, making it self-cleaning and odour-resistant.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WOOL AND SHEEPSKIN?
Wool is the fur that protects lambs and sheep from the elements. Wool can have different colours depending on the breed and different types of wool have different coarseness. For example, wool from fine wool sheep is best suited for scarves and shawls, while the slightly coarser wool from Gotland sheep is better suited for socks and jumpers.
Sheepskin, on the other hand, is the tanned skin of sheep. Sheepskin is sometimes referred to as lambskin, even when it comes from adult animals.
HOW IS WOOL PRODUCED?
Wool is obtained by shearing sheep. A sheep should be sheared at least once a year to keep it healthy.
After shearing, the wool is treated. First it is cleaned and washed. Then it is carded and then it can be spun into yarn.
HOW IS SHEEPSKIN MADE?
The difference with wool is that the skin does not come from live sheep but is a by-product of slaughter. Often sheep with fine wool are selected so that their skins can be utilised after slaughter. Skinning is a long process that takes several months; the skin is first washed and cleaned, then carved, washed again and in many cases coloured.
