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

The sheep itself is one of the oldest domestic animals. Even in the early Stone Age, people kept sheep and used their fur and wool for clothing.

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

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

There are a wide variety of 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 fibers.

Lamb's wool: wool from young sheep that were sheared for the first time in their first year of life. The fibers 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 at most 25 µm. The fibers are short, soft and highly curled

Cheviot wool: Called the wool of Cheviot sheep. The fibers are coarse, coarse, long, shiny and hardly wavy

Crossbred wool: Is the wool from cross-bred sheep 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 fulled.

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 has significantly better care properties than the natural product.

Wool fabrics are basically a textile structure that is woven or knitted, for example. However, when it comes to wool, many fabrics are modified using a fulling process. Fulling causes the fabric to become felted, giving it its typical fulled structure. Many people also know this type of woolen fabric as loden. Woolen fabrics receive a natural impregnation through the matting process and are usually windproof, water-repellent, very durable, wrinkle-free and very heat-retaining. Wool yarns are also often processed into wool knitted 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, mostly plant-dyed, natural fibers. With us you get 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 that are available in plain modern or classic colors. With us you will also find patterned wool qualities, for example tweed with a checked or herringbone pattern, but also the timeless Pepita pattern, also known as houndstooth.

Typical and very popular colors for wool fabrics include:

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

There are also beautiful, modern colors for woolen cloths:

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

Wool fibers are heavily crimped. The surface of the wool fiber is surrounded by a cuticle layer. 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 trunk and overlap. This results in the felting behavior of the wool. In addition, the cuticle is surrounded by a thin membrane that prevents water from penetrating, but allows water vapor to penetrate into the interior of the fiber. Another special feature is the bilateral structure of the wool, which means that the wool fiber has different halves along its length (this becomes visible when dyed), which are twisted in a spiral around the longitudinal axis of the fiber. Both halves show different suction and expansion behavior. This is the cause of the curling of the wool.

Wool is durable and elastic. As the curl of the fiber increases, the shine decreases. The feel of wool is generally soft. Wool's thermal behavior is naturally very good because the crimp and cuticle layer trap a high proportion of air.

We recommend sharp scissors or a rotary cutter for easy cutting of wool fabrics. In addition, wool is easy to mark with tailor's chalk. In the best case scenario, you cut your wool fabric directly, as the fabric cannot be washed to remove the chalk. Sewing the goods depends on the type of wool fabric, for example knitwear or woven fabric, and the structure.

Our customers use wool fabrics for a wide variety of purposes. The fabrics are suitable for sewing everything from fine 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
• Dirndl
• Traditional costumes
• Dress
• pullover
• Scarf
• trousers
• Men's suit
• Cloak / medieval costume
• Pillow
• Ceiling
• Furniture

Care or cleaning of wool fabric is often limited to hand washing. Better yet, the wool product is easy to air and remove stains with a brush. Wool should not be tumble dried or ironed. For our mixed qualities (e.g. linen and virgin wool), we have stored the individual care instructions separately for each item.

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