Wool (abbreviation: WO or for new wool WV) is an animal fiber material and is obtained from the fur of the sheep. The fiber length of the wool ranges from 2 to 50 mm and is measured in the natural, non-crimped state. The length of the fiber depends on the type of sheep.

The sheep itself is one of the oldest domestic animals in existence. People kept sheep as early as the Stone Age and used their fur and wool for clothing.

The wild mouflon sheep is considered to be the original animal of sheep farming. It lived in the early days in the Caucasus and the Atlas Mountains of North Africa. The Spanish introduced it from there into their country in the 14th century. Breeding resulted in the high-quality type of Merino sheep. Spain was the leader in Merino sheep farming until the 18th century. From the 18th century onwards, the first Merino sheep came to Germany and England.

In Australia and New Zealand, sheep farming was further developed on the basis of the Merino sheep towards the end of the 19th century. The overseas territories took over the leading role in sheep farming.

There are many different classification criteria for types of wool. The most common qualities are described below:

New wool: In the broader sense, wool that has been obtained using a process that does not damage the fibre.

Lamb's wool: Wool from young sheep that have been sheared for the first time in their first year of life. The fibres obtained are short, very soft, fine and not very tear-resistant

Merino wool: Wool from Merino sheep or sheep of the Merino genus. The average diameter of the fine fiber is generally no more than 25 µm. The fibers are short, soft and highly curled

Cheviot wool: This is the name given to the wool of Cheviot sheep. The fibres are coarse, tough, long, shiny and barely wavy

Crossbred wool: Is the wool of sheep from cross-breeding, whose average fiber diameter is more than 25 µm. The fibers have a medium fineness and length, are not as soft and less wavy than Merino wool

Shetland wool: This is the wool obtained from Shetland sheep. Shetland fibers are soft, short, full and easily felted when felted.

Polyacrylic, on the other hand, is a purely artificial fiber and is often used as a wool substitute or in combination with wool. Polyacrylic has a wool-like character and is much easier to care for than the natural product.

Wool fabrics are basically textile structures that are woven or knitted, for example. In the area of ​​wool, however, many fabrics are modified using a fulling process. Fulling causes the fabric to become matted, giving it its typical fulling structure. Many people also know this type of fulling fabric as loden. Fulling fabrics are naturally impregnated through the felting process and are usually windproof, water-repellent, very hard-wearing, crease-free and very good at retaining heat. Wool yarns are also often processed into wool knit fabrics or double-face fabrics.

Which wool fabrics can you buy by the meter in our online shop? We offer you a high-quality selection of organic wool fabrics made from pure new wool or mixed with other high-quality natural fibers, most of which are dyed with plants. We offer light and heavy or thin and thick wool qualities made in traditional weaving mills in Germany, Italy, Austria or Great Britain.

Our range includes high-quality soft or robust qualities, which are available in plain modern or classic colours. We also have patterned wool qualities, for example tweed with a checked or herringbone pattern, but also the timeless Pepita pattern, which is also known as houndstooth.

Typical and very popular colours for wool fabrics are:

• Red
• Gray
• Blue
• ocher
• Orange
• cream
• Gray
• Dark green
• Dark blue
• White
• Black

There are also beautiful modern colour combinations for woolen cloths:

• Pink
• Petrol
• olive
• curry
• Taupe
• Mustard yellow
• anthracite
• Light Blue
• Turquoise

Wool fibers are highly curled. The surface of the wool fiber is surrounded by a layer of scales. Viewed in cross-section, the fiber consists of six layers and is round to oval. The structure of these layers leads to the special properties of the wool fiber.

A special feature of wool is the cuticle. The scales are arranged like roof tiles around the fiber stem and overlap. This is what gives the wool its felting properties. The cuticle is also surrounded by a thin skin that prevents water from penetrating but allows water vapor to pass into the fiber interior. Another special feature is the bilateral structure of wool, which means that the wool fiber has different halves along its length (which becomes visible when dyed), which are spirally twisted around the fiber's long axis. Both halves show different absorption and stretching properties. This is the reason for the curl in the wool.

Wool is durable and elastic. As the curl of the fiber increases, the shine decreases. Wool is generally soft to the touch. Wool is naturally very thermally stable because the curl and the cuticle layer trap a high proportion of air.

We recommend using sharp scissors or a rotary cutter to make cutting wool fabrics easy. Wool can also be easily marked with tailor's chalk. It is best to cut your wool fabric straight away, as the fabric cannot be washed to remove the chalk. Sewing the fabric depends on the type of wool fabric (e.g. knitwear or woven fabric) and its structure.

Our customers use wool fabrics for a wide variety of purposes. The fabrics are suitable for sewing everything from elegant women's clothing to classic medieval costumes, but also for elegant decorative items or various types of upholstery. Here is a selection of products for which you can use our wool fabrics:

• Coat / Jacket
• skirt
• Dirndls
• Traditional costumes
• Dress
• pullover
• Scarf
• trousers
• Men's suit
• Cloak / Medieval costume
• Pillow
• Ceiling
• Furniture

The care and cleaning of wool fabric is often limited to hand washing. Better still, the wool product can simply be aired and stains removed with a brush. Wool is not put in the dryer and must not be ironed. For our mixed qualities (e.g. linen and new wool) we have provided the individual care instructions for each item separately.

• Wool is an animal fibre and is obtained from the fur of the sheep
• Wool fabrics are suitable for classic and modern clothing or for high-quality decoration
• Wool felt has a natural impregnation, warms and protects against moisture
• For wool, hand washing or airing the textile is recommended