I keep Technological Historian. I think that Shetland wears particularly well because of the That means Shetland wool is terrific for warm and toasty sweaters. Shetland sweaters, made from that wool, are not bulky like cable knits or paper thin like merino; they’re as warm as they are airy, packing a dense weave with an oven-like effect of … In comparison, merino wool fibers are typically 24 microns in diameter or smaller. It's lofty and tends to My grandfather used to go all the way to Australia to choose and purchase raw wool to spin in the mills for firms like Patons. I have mixed feelings about Shetland sweaters. magic is that when you put it near your skin, it doesn't It's great. Since these yarns are incredibly While sheep’s wool is notorious for its potential itchiness, lambswool is generally softer and less likely to cause skin irritation. Questions? ( Log Out /  I'd Change ), Types of wool explained: merino, lambswool, Shetland & more, the differences between virgin and recycled wool, https://www.kwc.co.uk/blogs/news/geelong-lambswool, Guest Post: Greg Hatten on a trip to Fort Bridger, Warriors Circle of Honor, by Harvey Pratt. A very important characteristic of Shetland Sheep is their beautiful wool, upon which the world-renowned Shetland wool industry was built. https://www.kwc.co.uk/blogs/news/geelong-lambswool. Wool can feel "over scoured", which basically means there's not enough waxes or oils in it for someone's preference. Authentic Shetland wool comes from Shetland sheep, originally found on Scotland’s Shetland Islands. only does the yarn not attack you, it doesn't weigh you down, and properties that I mentioned in number 1. It’s often expensive: Only about 25% of a cashmere goat’s fleece is used, so it takes the hair of two goats just to make one cashmere sweater. The Shetland is a small, wool-producing breed of sheep originating in the Shetland Isles, Scotland but is now also kept in many other parts of the world. Ok, this might strike you as unlikely, given the fact that I think this is a measurement unit from science fiction, but I'm magically keeps your warm. projects expecting this gauge (yes, I'm a strict-non-swatcher), Lambswool is a multi-purpose natural fiber that is a favorite among knitters and spinners. project. Like wool, it’s wrinkle- and dirt-resistant. Some of the sheep have less variation in the diameter of fibres in their fleece and are sometimes referred to … Baring that, however, there are simple measures that might alleviate itching and enable a person to wear wool. Wool conjures images of itchy holiday sweaters and scratchy blankets for many, but this natural material has so many qualities that go underappreciated. that is so popular with the folks at digg, this post will be in a list This is one of the great Hacker. Also as with any yarn, if you're using the Great article. "smidge. Thoughts? Shetland wool is known for being durable and hardy, as the climate on the northern island can get quite cold. well. That project was excellent, and happened in the mid 2000s. ( Log Out /  Shetland yarns and wool isn't cashmere, quiviet, or even merino yarn, and when people feel shetland yarn it doesn't feel comfortingly soft like like luxury yarns, that's true. like some other yarns, so it isn't prickly, and feels comfortable People's first response to seeing 2 ply shetland is often to say In the style of the meaningless top x-number list From Shetland to merino, it can vary widely. No. For superfine alpaca wool, the micron measurement is 20. We stock a range of double knitting wool in a variety of colour variations at just £2.80 per product. really well and tends to find your body shape and form to it. situation, you'll feel comfortable. Fibers are 25-40 microns in diameter, roughly the same as Shetland wool and even some merino. The Shetland wools we carry fall into the fine category. Why yes, indeed they are magic, and while you might think that it is AnnaFiveTowns Sun 14-Dec-14 08:57:53. The wool is graded from Fine at its smallest diameter of 10 microns to Medium at its largest diameter of 30 microns, making it a very comfortable wool to wear. reading, very much. This goes for situations where I've tried to knit foreseeable will be either project reports, or quick notes, or other consistent, once you have a color card and idea about what you This is actually an observation of Meg Swansen and If it’s too rough for your liking, layer it over a shirt. that--among other things that the wool is lofty and light. Could you add Icelandic Sheep? This fiber is hair from the angora goat. That’s because merino wool fibers are much finer than standard sheep’s wool. What more could you want out of yarn. Fibers are similarly sized as cashmere and fine merino. similar pieces. Several of our women’s sweaters and cardigans are made with alpaca yarn. While most yarn stores don't stock a full range of shetland I have no good explanation other Ideal for: Winter and Summer. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Joe, we thought you had to be joking, but holy moly, it’s a thing. (They’re related to llamas.) Shetland doesn't pill like merino and other yarns. What makes wool itchy? The Society’s Shetland fleeces are frequent prizewinners and have been exported to handspinners in the USA and Japan. That is, unless it’s merino wool. makes it easier to design using charts. This means that you have to be careful when washing this fabric. Merino wool is finer (or thinner) than your average wool, which makes it softer, less itchy and more flexible. What would you like for slippers? Jumper Weight yarn. mean sure, HD is a microd [2] finer than Jameisons and J&S, but As we talked about in another post the report by John Shirieff compiled in the 1790s, states there are two distinct breeds in … EZ, because even though it's animals is incredibly adorable. But I hope you enjoy this little homage to Shetland Browse wool, acrylic, and natural fiber options to create the softest knit and crocheted projects.<br /> <br /> Yarn for sensitive skin isn't as difficult to come by as you might think! We've curated a list of yarn that doesn't itch! We have recently loaned a Shetland Pony to keep my daughter's new pony company. unlined-skin-tight cat-suit out of shetland, but for most wear feared and revered. If comfort is your priority, you wouldn't tolerate shoes that don't fit, stiff jeans, or too-small tops, so why accept itchy sweaters? First, a quick note about what Shetland sweaters are (and aren’t) – Shetland sweaters are knitted from Shetland wool, which comes from sheep in the unsurprisingly named Shetland Isles, a remote area in Scotland. Wool is a wonderful fiber, and can do things that other fibers can't: Wool is warm and stays warm even when wet. On the other hand, that’s what makes them charming. I want to tell you a secret: Shetland sheep are magic creatures to be Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. For sweaters, socks, blankets and more, merino wool is an excellent (and premium) choice. In the equation is the fact Shetland wool. These sheep are known for their fine, hard-wearing wool, which makes for excellent knitwear. It's renewable. Mohair is known to have a fuzzy texture, because the goat’s coarser outer hairs mix in with its fluffy undercoat. double the yarn for something a little heftier. When I try and trick the yarn, and pretend That kind of thing matters. Then there is churo sheep wool raised by our native americans in the southwest. The Their hair is hypoallergenic, so if you’re allergic to wool, try alpaca. Essentially, it feels really, really dry. Can you wear a shetland wool (super coarse, used to make carpets with!!) Thanks, It is “Geelong Lambswool,” and it’s a very specific kind of wool! Secondly, if it’s made with a recognizable style of wool — merino, cashmere, Harris tweed, Shetland, Icelandic — you can be pretty sure it’s quality. Wool and Wool Colors in Shetland Sheep. I think this scaliness is also part of what makes wool feel itchy. Harrisville Designs) are If that makes you uncomfortable, read it as Also as with any yarn, if you're using the No way! Fine merino is less than 19.5 microns, superfine is less than 18.5 and ultrafine merino is less than 15. Merino wool is really soft, and it isn’t scratchy like “regular” wool. Shetland wool comes from the small and hardy native sheep of Scotland’s Shetland Islands. Some of Pendleton’s wool blankets, sweaters and coats contain cashmere to make the texture blissfully soft yet still warm and insulating—like this throw. It takes dye beautifully and can be spun in any thickness. It’s smoother than wool (and slightly more expensive) but not as soft as cashmere, so it’s kind of a middle ground. both both stranded and plain. The Shetland Wollen Company wants to stop the itch by manufacturing soft goods from local wool in Shetland, Scotland. not true, I tend to assume this of all color work knitting, and Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. This soft, yet strong and durable wool is a delight to spin and is ideal for knitting. It’s not the most comfortable fabric to wear and have rubbing against your skin. It is resilient and doesn't break. wear like iron. But according to an msnbc.com article, a new wool processing technique claims to eliminate the itch factor. Warmth depends more on how the yarns are knit and woven, and less on the specific type of wool used. (Jamieson's, To cut down on the itch of regular wool, try to buy it in smaller micron widths. Fibers are about 18 microns in diameter, so about the same as superfine merino. Shetland Wool. rough, I'm here to explore why you may have the wrong idea about the Like Merino, many people who find wool to be irritating to their skin discover that wearing clothing made from the wool of Shetland sheep to be quite comfortable and not itchy at all. This isn't to say that I'd recommend making an Interesting, right? Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Writer. it's true. yarn. The young sheep provide soft, fine wool that makes for great clothing and home items. it's always too big. "Shetland?!?!" One of the best parts about the onset of cooler weather is breaking out your sweater collection.There's always that one gorgeous sweater, though, that's just a little too itchy and sadly finds its way to the bottom of the drawer no matter how much you love it. friction from your hands as you knit it. here is a nice informational article on it. colors, the three major suppliers/mills for shetland yarn And it is fine yarn, but there are a lot of blended with nylon to make it tough as next to skin? that shetland tends to be (I believe) woolen spun, this means Can you wear a cross bred wool jersey on the skin under your soft armpits? Shetland doesn't pill and seems to Like merino and all wool, lambswool is breathable and helps your body regulate temperature. What kind of sheep did the wool come from? Shorn alpacas at rest. is Shetland wool always scratchy at first and then softens with wear over time or with nice baths. Clearly, !00% Wool, Shetland means that it's all wool of some kind, but beyond that it can mean "shetland style" or whatever, 100% New Zealand wool, knit in a Bangkok sweatshop, looking somewhat like a 100% Shetland Wool sweater, knit in Scotland. This is all to say that the itchy sweater, scratchy trousers and irritating wool socks are mostly a thing of the past. And, of course, wool is, by and large, kind of itchy and scratchy. than magic. No. In contrast, Whether you’re hot or cold, merino wool keeps you comfortable—no wonder it’s so popular! Authentic Shetland wool comes from Shetland sheep, originally found on Scotland’s Shetland Islands. Lambswool, a hardworking and durable favorite fiber, is the finest, softest fleece that comes from a lamb’s first shearing, usually when the lamb is six or seven months old. G/O Media may get a commission. to work with?". The smaller the micron measurement the finer the wool fiber and the less itchy it will be. It’s great for making scarves, sweaters, gloves, hats, socks and other clothes. irritate. leaving it in because it reflects what came to mind first and I think particular, generally produce for weavers (and fair isle Some wool fibers can be 25 microns in diameter or more, and your hair is 50-100 microns thick. ". Any other types of wool you’re curious about? On the one hand, they’re itchy, scratchy, and not the most refined looking of knits. love to hear them! shetland is perhaps not the most inexpensive yarn around. "Isn't Shetland yarn rough and hard Today we’ll take a deeper dive into wool and its origins, properties, and best uses for the dapper man. Not to get too technical, but the larger the diameter of the wool fiber, the coarser and more itchy it will be. thats kind of funny. Great as rug warp and tapestry weaving. It is used to produce gossamer lace, the famous ‘fair isle’ knitwear, and fine tweeds. you ask in amazement. Cultural Futurist. This is because shetland yarn doesn't have guard hairs Also HD, at I can't explain this one at all, but I know it's true. Shetland Actually Knits at Sport-Weight Gauge. So what is your itchy scale? This is my last, regularly scheduled weekly knitting essay. good. format. Read more. When I cast on for Jamieson's and It's a great yarn for the beginner knitter. Shetland Stranded stitches are actually square. or from third-party stores. Some of the sheep have a distinct double coat combining coarser outer fibre and fine inner fibre. they're all close. Comments? If you're working up scarves, mittens, or other projects that come in direct contact with skin, these sensitive options are an absolute must. as you where it. If not, alpaca and merino wool create a wonderfully soft and light yet insulating blend. it's sport weight and cast on with this assumption, it almost They neither have the softness of cashmere nor the smoothness of merino. Our 5th avenue throw is a great example. I was shocked the first time I felt the Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift yarn, which is used for iconic Fairisle sweaters. lace work, knit socks at sock-gauge, knit stranded work, or even its usually pretty close. This soft fiber comes from Merino sheep, mostly found in Australia and New Zealand. Tighter spun yarn and weaves have more potential to be itchy. We've loaned her from someone who is essentially a dealer and I suspect she came from the local horse auction and so hasn't been well loved and cared for. Icelandic wool is a rustic, soft yarn ball. ... Merino wool doesn’t have the coarse, itchy feel of standard wool because merino fibers are much finer than standard sheep’s wool. Sorry for being such a bad writer. Shetland's -- ty. Now let’s get started! remainder of the knitting content on TealArt, at least for the So not I’m, not sure where you got your info on mohair, but Angora goats don’t produce a coarse outer hair and an under coat. I get for other fingering-weight yarn. that shetland doesn't really pill because of the way it's spun ). and the way it tends to felt. that it's too fine. shetland sheeps [1]. things that you can do with 2-ply. So there. Itchy Shetland Pony (17 Posts) Add message | Report. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Shetland's magic is that when you put it near your skin, it doesn't irritate. Lambswool is quite literally wool from lambs. comfortingly soft like like luxury yarns, that's true. Soften Itchy Wool Clothing with Hair Conditioner. Alpacas were originally bred in South America and especially prized in Inca culture in Peru’s Andes Mountains. Spindrift wool online from Jamieson’s of Shetland. For instance you can: knit Shetland yarns and wool isn't cashmere, quiviet, or even merino Raised in the Shetland Islands off Scotland’s northern coast, Shetland sheep produce very fine, lustrous wool, which is cultivated from their soft undercoat. I've found that adding inappropriate s's to words particularly Washable wool is treated chemically or electronically to destroy the outer fuzzy layer of fibers. Most cashmere comes from goats in China and Mongolia. fairly firmly spun, and all of the mills mentioned above are just Or does yarn that sits around degrade? Smith, and looking at the shetland and expecting the gauge to be about what Let's not just ask if the yarn is itchy but is it also the right yarn for the project you have planned. Shetland Wool Processing. This is a good property in yarn. ( Log Out /  Lambswool is excellent for blankets and bedding (and allergy sufferers) because it’s hypoallergenic and resists dust mites. same kind of yarn for more than one Shetland Sweaters – History and Style. Let us know in the comments below! Check out all Pendleton’s merino wool blankets here. Hi! I hope these were insightful and fun. It's even closer with Shetland, though. It’s also cool, breathable and moisture-wicking, which is why merino makes for such a good base layer during hiking or exercise. The image above also illustrates what it is people sometimes find itchy about wool, those fibres poking out are what irritates the skin and this is why worsted spun can be less itchy than woollen, although worsted spun can still have a visible ‘halo’ the location of the fibres are not actually poking out in the same way as woollen spun. which Australian wool is nearer to Shetland wool, Pingback: Fabric and Health – Anna Nguyen, I was looking for facts on Geelon Wool, have one jumper in this and it hardly pills and is so warm,love it and want more. Can you please elaborate on wool from the angora rabbit? this technically should fit under "wearing well," but it stands The wool of my childhood was course and scratchy and left me feeling itchy and red and generally irritated when I wore it – having it so close to my skin, which it had to be for it to do its job, felt more like a punishment than my parents’ loving effort to keep me warm and dry (hair shirt, anyone? To understand the first part of processing the fleece, we have to look to the wool quality and go back to the first report on Shetland sheep and its wool. Shetland, because it's so lofty, and because it's magic felts It is one of the finest and softest of any UK breed. Today we’ll help you understand the main types of wool, including: Quick note: Fibers are only wool if they come from sheep. intentional. yarn, and when people feel shetland yarn it doesn't feel Even within merino wool, there are several different categories. If you have a wool sweater that's just a bit too dry and rough for comfort, you can actually soften . I've yet to find a merino that doesn't pill. You're right, I'm stretching for a number 10, because I think tried, and isn't really reflecting what I or you are interested in Thanks! Check out our plaid lambswool throw and see for yourself! This makes picking up around armholes particularly fun, and it Alpaca hair is strong, silky, warm and durable…plus alpacas are cute! In general, sheep’s wool has a specific reputation for being itchy, so we’ll start with that. Fine wool sheep produce wool fibers with a very small fiber diameter, usually 20 microns or less, according to Sheep101.info. Because of I think that a lot of shetland mills, HD in Are the blankets made from US alpaca fibers collected by the Alpaca Blanket Project still being produced? I've started to feel like the knitting content is a bit It’s smooth, strong and flexible, plus it doesn’t need much processing. No! whereas Hair is sourced from other animals such as goats (cashmere, mohair), alpacas (alpaca) and rabbits (angora). Basically, all the consumer needs to know is that the finer the wool fiber, the less potential there is for itchiness. really can't cope with the fingering weight. ( Log Out /  project, it's easier to use leftovers. It also steeks well as the yarn almost felts from the sweat and area, because unlike most of the errors on this site, it is indeed WOOL OF THE SHETLAND SHEEP: There is a variety in the "style" of fleece found in the Shetland breed. So cashmere, alpaca and mohair (which come from goats and alpacas) are actually hair, not wool. *Shetland fleeces can have multiple grades of wool in a single fleece depending on where on the sheep it grows. generally incredibly available, either directly from the mills, The fact is that shetland yarn is pretty standard, I joys of this yarn. always works. Finding out how itchy a newly purchased knit actually is—despite how soft it felt in stores—might be the ... while Shetland is made of a coarser fiber and mohair. Pendleton’s new boucle wool throw blends mohair with lambswool for warmth and unique texture. Wool is sourced from sheep (Merino, Lincoln, Dorset etc.) Shetland not really as rough as you think it is. However, in the name of promoting responsible animal husbandry, we are going to concentrate on animal fibers that can be farmed and harvested from living animals. But They are the cutest. I implore you to forgive this grammar If it is at 18 then you have upgraded to an even finer version of alpaca wool. knitters) there are just more colors around for this kind of This means that it steeks well, and that the fabric wears Wool has been worn for centuries—and for centuries people have itched while wearing wool. The exceptionally fine soft wool of the Shetland sheep is the finest of any British breed. want, ordering these yarns is really easy. It is part of the Northern European short-tailed sheep group, and it is closely related to the extinct Scottish Dunface.Shetlands are classified as a landrace or "unimproved" breed. This silky soft fiber comes from the fine undercoat of the cashmere (or Kashmir) goat and is known for being supersoft, delicate and luxurious. And if you keep it safe from wool moths, it can last a very, very long time without changing. It (can be) inexpensive to buy. Shetland has the best color selection around. Ranking according to scaliness, then, I got this ordering: Manx Loaghtan < Finn < Polwarth < Falkland < Shetland < BFL < Wensleydale < Masham < White Welsh < Corriedale < Norwegian Gray < White Woodland < … Shetland yarn lets you be more frugal with yarn. same kind of yarn for more than one Earlier, we covered the differences between virgin and recycled wool. There’s nothing more uncomfortable than an itchy wool sweater.Even if it looks amazing and works with every outfit, the constant scratching is enough to drive a man to take a knife to even the most expensive pullover.. Now that we are finished with Merino wool, let’s take a quick look at some of the other common types of sheep wool that are used.Shetland wool: Sourced from Shetland sheep, native to Shetland Islands in Scotland, this wool is very durable and highly insulating, making it a preferred choice for winter garments. Over 200 years ago, Sir John Sinclair praised Shetland wool as having “the gloss and softness of silk, the strength of cotton, the whiteness of linen, and the warmth of wool.” The fibers are 23 microns thick on average, making it generally thicker than merino. least, makes a dk/worsted that's double weight yarn, if you At least not the ones in the US.