Wool is a popular fabric that can be used in many everyday items, including pullovers, slippers, etc. Different types of wool have many advantages and characteristics, making them ideal for footwear and clothing.

What is wool?

Before we can dive into the different types of wool, it’s important to first understand exactly what wool is.

Wool is a fiber extracted from the fur or fur of animals such as sheep. Similar to human hair, the species of wool is produced by hair follicles in animal skin and is made up of proteins. Once removed from the animal, usually by shearing, these fibers can be converted into wool fabric types that we can use to produce clothing, footwear and household items. The uses of these different types of wool can be anything from slippers to wool sneakers to comfortable blankets.

How many species of wool?

Depending on whether you look at different types of wool fibers or wool fabric types, you end up with different numbers. This guide explains the 10 main types of wool and how to transform this extraordinary fiber into a variety of materials we use every day.

Different types of wool

The most common wool comes from sheep. However, there is not only one type of wool, and different varieties produce different types of fiber. Each type of wool has its own unique advantages and characteristics.

1. First shear the wool

The first shearing of wool, also known as lamb wool, is the softest wool. It is taken from the first shearing of a sheep, the softest coat a sheep will ever produce in its lifetime. Sometimes, virgin wool also refers to the type of wool fiber that has not undergone any processing process.

Our range of men’s slippers, women’s slippers and children’s slippers all use virgin wool. Thanks to the nature of this wool, you can use breathable slippers as summer slippers, which can keep your feet comfortable if worn as winter home shoes . This wool type can be used to make gorgeous eco-friendly slippers that are perfect for relaxing in comfort at home.

2. Merino wool

This wool comes from the Merino sheep. The fibers in merino wool tend to be finer than regular wool. The fibers also have fewer scales, which makes this wool also softer.

However, softness is not the only beneficial property of Merino wool. This incredible fiber also regulates the temperature, making it suitable for year-round use. As an antibacterial agent, it also eliminates odors, so your merino wool shoes will not have odors. Most of our men’s sneakers and women’s sneakers use this type of wool, thanks to the amazing properties it possesses.

We put the welfare of animals first, which means we say no to mules and only use this wool that does not have this practice.

3. Wool from Shetland sheep

Is sheepskin a type of wool?

Sheepskin refers to a specific type of material consisting of sheepskin and wool fibers. Unlike one type of wool, the fibres remain in their original condition, adhering to the leather. They remain intact throughout the tanning process. This makes it possible to create an ultra-comfortable product like sheepskin slippers.

Other types of wool

While we often associate different types of wool with sheep, they are not the only animals that produce natural fibers. In fact, a wide variety of animals can produce this luxurious material, including rabbits, camels, and even cattle.

4. Cashmere

Another animal that is most famous for one of the most famous types of wool is cashmere. This soft and delicate wool comes from the bottom coat of cashmere goats, and the finest fibers come from the neck of the goat. Like Merino wool, it is particularly fine, which makes it particularly suitable as a clothing fabric. From cashmere beanie peas to cardigan sweaters, people love this luxurious wool.

5. Mohair

Other types of wool also come from goats. These include mohair from Angolan goats – not to be confused with Angolan wool from rabbits! The fibers of this wool are thicker than cashmere and the dimensions are closer to ordinary wool. Nevertheless, the scales of the wool fibers are not so pronounced, which gives mohair the advantage of not being easy to tangle and shrink. Mohair wool is used in clothing such as suits and dresses, as well as household items such as carpets and woolen blankets.

6. Alpaca wool

Alpacas are native to South America but have become a globally popular animal. The wool produced by alpacas is one of the best wool in the world. Although very soft, the larger diameter alpaca fibers may be itchy. Finding out why wool itches can help you ensure your next wool product is as comfortable as possible!

7. Alpaca wool

Camels are associated with alpacas and also produce wool. However, the wool extracted from the llama is actually too rough to be used as clothing to attach to the skin! Nevertheless, it can still be used for outerwear, as well as decorations such as wall hangings and carpets.

8. Vicuñas

Llamas are also associated with llamas and alpacas, which produce some of the rarest wool. This type of wool was traditionally used by the Incas, who retained it for royal use due to its highest warmth and softness. Fears of extinction, the Peruvian government closely monitors the production of vicuña hair. These animals are sheared only once every other year, no more than five times in their lifetime. This rare type of wool is something you may never have heard of!

9. Chivit wool

The last wool is qiviut. This comes from Arctic musk oxen that live in Canada and Alaska. This type of wool is collected from animals during the moulting season, where keepers comb or collect wool from the ground. This wool type has many benefits, and its ultra-fine properties mean it is very soft. In addition to that, the fibers are also strong and do not shrink in water.

10. Camel hair

Another type of wool is produced by camels. Camel hair is also rough and therefore suitable for coats, especially since it has insulating properties. The thickest camel hair is actually used to make the bottom cloth for carpets!

Four kinds of wool fabrics

Now that you know about the different types of wool, you might be wondering how these fibers become fabrics that we know and love. There are many ways to convert different types of wool into usable materials, here are four ways:

a. Boil the wool

To make our unique 3D Stretch fabric, we use cooked wool. This involves taking a wool woven from yarn (we use a machine to avoid hand cramps) and boiling it at a specific temperature and at a specific time. Doing so will make the wool more durable, more insulated and softer!

b. Felt wool

Unlike other types of wool fabrics, felt wool is made from raw materials rather than yarns. Felt wool can be made in a number of ways, one of which is to rub wool fibers together with the help of water and soap. This effectively makes the fibers matte and become a single piece of fabric. This technique is often used in wool crafts. Another method is through needle felt, in which the prickly needles are pierced through the wool fibers, again making them dull and becoming a piece of fabric that can be used for the product.

c. Fleece wool

Many garments are made of wool, which is also a wool fabric. It is made by brushing the wool that has already been woven. This creates a comfortable material that is perfect for snuggling! Although very comfortable, this wool type is not as thick or insulating as cooked wool. Wool can also be made from man-made materials, such as recycled PET plastic.

d. Roden wool

The Loden wool fabric is made of woven yarn, not knitted. After this it is boiled. Loden has little elasticity and loses its strength and water resistance over time. This means that it is not suitable for waterproof shoes compared to other types of wool fabrics.