Wool Types – Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Types of Wool

As many experienced knitters would know, wool is the ideal and preferred fabric for knitting projects. It’s easy to use and the durable fabric has its unique qualities that make them extremely attractive, especially for winter clothing. They hold heat extremely well whilst also allowing breathability and durability. New knitters might not be aware of the qualities of the various types of wool. Each one can achieve different results and each type of wool might be manufactured differently to achieve the desired look.

If you are interested in knowing what wool type might be best for your next project, here are the different types of wool with their advantages and disadvantages:

Sheeps Wool

Pros: Basic sheep’s wool is the most common and obtainable wool you can find due to its ability to be derived from any type of sheep. People like using sheep’s wool due to its versatility making it very resistant to breakage, whilst maintaining its flexibility. They also are self-insulating and therefore perfect for creating pieces such as hats, scarves, and gloves for the winter months. Additionally, this type of wool is fire and water-resistant to an extent. Wool already contains moisture in each fibre therefore it can hold water before it soaks through, and this pre-existing moisture in the fibres means that it’s resistant to flames.

Cons: On the other hand, there are some disadvantages to using sheep’s wool. Many people find that sheep’s wool is too itchy on the skin, therefore they tend to mix sheep’s wool fibres with softer materials. 

Lambs Wool

Pros: Lambswool is also known as virgin wool’ since it is taken from a lamb’s first shearing at around seven months old. Understandably, each sheep can only produce lambs wool only once therefore it is seen as a more luxurious and sought-after wool type. This type of wool is very soft and silky, hence its admiration and demand.

Cons: The main disadvantage of lambs wool is that it tends to come as a more expensive wool because as mentioned they can only be produced once throughout their lives.  

Mohair Wool

Pros: This wool is derived from the Angora goat which is a Turkish breed of goat. It is one of the most wanted natural fibres for a soft, silk-like textile. You will often find some of the most luxurious going out dresses, scarves, and baby clothes made with mohair wool. Its thermal properties are versatile making it great for both winter and summer.

Cons: The only real disadvantages of mohair wool are firstly the price, and secondly the frizzy appearance it can have. Despite these aspects, it is extremely easy to work with for your one knitting if you choose to test it out.

Merino Wool

Pros: The Merino sheep which produces merino wool is known for its excellent wool quality. Merino sheep are originally from Spain, but the largest population of the sheep is known to be in Australia and New Zealand. This wool is great again for regulating body temperature due to its fine and shiny features. It is also lightweight and known to keep its shape.

Cons: The only disadvantage of merino wool is that due to its extremely fine nature, it often can be susceptible to damage from excessive washing or if the clothing item made from the wool is not cared for properly. If you are looking for low-maintenance wool, you might opt for a different option.

Cashmere Wool

Pros: The worldly-known wool cashmere is obtained from the cashmere goat. Cashmere is one of the most luxurious wools due to its lightweight and silky nature. 

Cons: Despite its popularity, the properties of cashmere are not as durable as other wools due to its delicate fabric. Also, the cashmere goat produces only a minimal amount of cashmere wool each year, therefore it is not as mass-produced and obtainable as other natural wools. 

Alpaca Wool

Pros: Derived from Peruvian Alpacas, alpacas wool is known to be seven times stronger than sheep’s wool. Alpacas wool is known to be almost as soft as cashmere hence why they sometimes get confused for each other. It is also known to be great for sensitive skin due to its hypoallergenic qualities.

Cons: Much like all of the other softer and more luxurious wools, alpaca wool is a little more expensive than some of the others.

Overall the various selections of wool have their properties, but for the most part, any genre of wool you choose to work with will be a great choice. You should choose your wool based on the item of clothing you are trying to create and what its purpose will be.

Daisy Moss is a freelance writer with a particular focus on lifestyle and eco-friendly living. Whether you’re looking for new DIY hacks or some facts on plastic pollution, she’s your girl! When not writing, Daisy can be found creating eco-friendly clothing items like cute mini dresses.