British Wool Guide
British wool is known for its unparalleled quality and durability. From classic tweed to soft merino, this is the perfect wool for fashionable apparel and home textiles that will last for a lifetime.
Let us guide you through the different wool types made by British sheep breeds, their benefits, and how to take proper care of them. Once you know all about British wool, you can make a well-informed decision about what wool products to buy, no matter if you're a seasoned wool fan or new you recently tried and fell in love with natural fibres.
Continue reading to discover the five fantastic qualities that make a British wool jumper your new wardrobe must have.
Benefits Of British Wool
1. Cost Efficient
Sourced and spun in Britain, it is a cost effective, low travelled fibre which contributes to the final price and low carbon footprint. When cared for correctly, the cost of your British wool jumper over its lifetime will pay for itself.
2. Durable and Robust
Steeped in history, British wool has been the go-to yarn when making robust, outdoor ready knitwear. British sheep often live-in unpredictable surroundings with ever changing weather, this makes their coat incredibly heavy duty. Organically stain resistant and with a natural ability to retain its shape, British wool is an incredibly hardworking fibre that works brilliantly when knitted into complex and considered garments and accessories.
3. Insulating
At the centre of each British wool fibre is a cluster of spongey, hollow cells. When air circulates throughout, the structure naturally traps this air, distributing heat and enhancing insulation. Whilst a British wool jumper is often a chunky addition to your wardrobe, it also has the ability to let the skin breathe by absorbing moisture when the atmosphere is damp and releasing this when the air is cooler.
4. Sustainable Fibre
Sheep are shorn every 12 months and grow a new fleece each year, this makes their wool an entirely renewable fibre and with over 60 breeds being taken care of by some 40,000 farmers, there is no shortage of this fantastic, durable product. Sheering sheep is a necessary process as without maintenance, sheep often find themselves susceptible to infection and overheating in the summer months.
5. Low Maintenance
British wool has naturally occurring oils and the fibre has a scaled structure, this means your jumper will not absorb dirt and allow for easy cleaning and upkeep. By absorbing moisture, wool reduces the amount of perspiration that sits on the body, which means that your British wool jumper will require less hard washing, often being revitalised with a quick freshen up in a breezy room.
What Are The Main Types of British Wool?
British sheep breeds offer several types of wool, each with its own remarkable properties. Here are some of the most popular ones.
Cheviot Wool
Bluefaced Leicester Wool
Shetland Wool
Shetland wool offers a soft and warm fibre used in hand-knitting yarns. It comes from the Shetland breed of sheep.
Jacob Wool
Jacob wool’s fleece comes in a variety of colours, and it is perfect for hand-knitting yarns and decorative textiles.
Merino Wool
Merino wool is a very soft and warm fibre commonly used in fine knitwear, socks, and other luxury textiles.
Wensleydale Wool
Wensleydale wool comes from the Wensleydale breed of sheep, known for having very long and luxurious fibres. It is ideal for making high-quality carpets, rugs, and other textiles.
Paul James Knitwear products are designed with the highest quality materials, including extra-fine merino wool from Italy, chunkier versions from Peru, premium cotton from India and Egypt, ultra-warm and soft Alpaca fibre sourced in South America, and, of course, authentic wool sourced directly from the British Isles.
Is British Wool Warm?
Is British Wool Itchy?