At SOMEFANCYNAME, we believe that by understanding different types of fabric and how best to wash and care, you can secure a longer lifecycle for your favourite item, as well as retaining their as-new look and feel.
Wool is a yarn that is created from the fleece of animals such as sheep, goats, llamas or camelids. Individual wool fibres attach together when spun to create yarn, which is then used to create garments. The quality of wool is determined by its fiber diameter, crimp, yield, color, and staple strength. Fiber diameter is the single and most important wool characteristic determining quality and price.
Merino wool is typically 7.6 - 12.7 cm in length and is very fine (between 12 and 24 microns (*1)). The finest and most valuable wool comes from Merino hoggets. Wool taken from sheep produced for meat is typically more coarse, and has fibers from 38 mm to 152 mm in length. Damage or breaks in the wool can occur if the sheep is stressed while it is growing its fleece, resulting in a thin spot where the fleece is likely to break (*2).
Any wool finer than 25 microns can be used for garments, while coarser grades are used for outerwear or rugs. The finer the wool, the softer it is, while coarser grades are more durable and less prone to pilling.
WOOL FACTS
- Wool is 100% biodegradable.
- Wool can absorb up to 30% of its own weight in moisture without feeling uncomfortable. Wool can absorb and release twice as much moisture vapour as cotton and 30 times as much as polyester.
- Wool is nature's own insulator, warm in winter and cool in summer.
- Wool products are naturally fire resistant and internationally approved by world health care experts.
- Wool is wrinkle resistant and absorbent, which makes it easy to dye.
- Wool absorbs many different dyes deeply, uniformly and directly without the use of other chemicals. Because of this ability, wool is known for the beautiful, rich colors that can be achieved.
- Recently published research has demonstrated that wearing superfine Merino wool next to the skin is beneficial for eczema sufferers (*3).
WASHING
Sheepskin products need proper care and attention to remain at their best. Like denim, animal hairs should only be washed when absolutely needed. Always use a detergent designed for wool and wash on a very gentle cycle or hand wash in cold water.
DRYING
After washing your wool sweater, it is recommended the sweater is carefully dried flat. To carefully flat dry wool clothing it is recommended it is placed on a pale coloured or white towel, and one which is free from lint. When placing the sweater on a towel to dry, gently knead it by hand into shape and size, and remove as many creases or folds, as possible. Allow the wool sweater to dry in the air naturally.
If pins are used to hold the garment in shape, ensure that they are totally rust proof. When drying, avoid direct sunlight, magnified sunlight (close to an outside window) or direct heat. Avoid placing your wool garment over a radiator to dry. The part of the garment that is folded over the top of the radiator tends to dry the quickest and can cause the garment colour to change or damage the garment in this area.
STORE
Moths love woollens and often leave big holes in clothes. Moths don’t like light so regularly worn items are less likely to end up with holes than those left in storage. Putting cedar wood balls in your wardrobe can help keep them away, or store your woollens in sealed cotton bags as moths don’t like cotton. Put woollens in the freezer for 24 hours, take out and bring up to room temperature, and repeat once again to get rid of moths.DISPOSE
First, try swapping with a friend as woollen clothes can often have a long lifespan. Otherwise, pure, un-dyed or vegetable-dyed animal fibres can be composted, as long as the garment doesn’t contain any synthetic fibres or dyes (check the label). If in decent condition, your local charity shop may also accept it.More information on wool production and its effect on the environment is available on our platform.
OUR SUSTAINABLE WOOL COMPANIES
ANNAMARIAANGELIKA
Multicolored world of fair fashion made in Peru! ANNAMRIAANGELIKA's premium knitwear is charachterized by the confluence of sustainability, lifestyle and design, while playfully creating a unique link between tradition and modernity. The brand is passionately dedicated to the slow fashion philosophy. At ANNAMARIAANGELIKA, materials, design and above all, the knitters, are allowed to take the time they need. What we do is not about quantity, but about quality, longevity and attention to detail.
Main brand features:
- The entire value chain for knitted goods is situated in Peru
- Nothing is shipped back and forth between countries countless times,
- Insisting on fair and socially equitable working conditions
- Putting a high value on zero-waste production
- All the materials used, including labels, are biodegradable
YOJIRO KAKE
Maison Yojiro Kake was founded by a Japanese designer/pattern-maker - Yojiro Kake. The design of YOJIRO KAKE is a three-dimensional shape created with patterns that incorporate origami techniques with elements of Italian architectures and arts. The design is recognized by people all over the world as wearable art.
Yojiro Kake (from Hyogo Japan) graduated with honors, received the "Polimoda Talent" award after his presentation at the Polimoda final show in 2012 Florence Italy. During Milan Fashion Week, exhibited at the Mauro Grifoni Store in Milan and was a great success. He collaborated with "Class hair academy" in Prato, as an Italian representative and designed the costumes in the form of performances such as his first fashion show at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London in 2014, After his experience with Roberto Cavalli, Yojiro established his own label in Italy in March 2016.
THE KNOTTY ONES
Inspired by traditional Nordic crafts and babes with attitude, we make sustainable knitwear. Founded by three best friends in Lithuania, The Knotty Ones uses a help of local Lithuanian young designers to design products. One of the recent - Liucija Kvasyte.
The Knotty Ones employs craftswomen, mostly stay-at-home moms, around Lithuania. The majority of them live in villages and small towns where jobs are extremely scarce. It’s a great way for women to earn fair wages and provide for themselves and their beautiful families.
1. Source: "Merino Sheep in Australia". Archived from the original on 2006-11-05. Retrieved 2006-11-10.
2. Van Nostran, Don. "Wool Management – Maximizing Wool Returns". Mid-States Wool growers Cooperative Association. Archived from the original on 2010-01-01. Retrieved 2006-11-10.
3. The Woolmark Company (https://www.woolmark.com/globalassets/02-about-wool/factsheets/gd2405-wool-is-good-for-skin_15.pdf. Retrieved 2019-09-05