DIFFERENT TYPES OF WOOL FABRICS Wool is a versatile natural fibre, which can be made into a wide range of fabrics with many different uses. Depending on the length and fibre diameter (fineness) of a fleece, wool is processed through either the woollen or worsted processing system. After processing, woollen yarn can be either woven or knitted to produce fabric ready to be made into a garment or upholstery item (for example, curtains or furniture coverings). Woven and knitted fabrics have unique properties that make them suitable to Worsted-spun knitted fabrics different end products. Fine worsted-spun yarns produce Did you know? Knitted fabrics tend to stretch more than super-soft knitted fabrics with a very • An innovative dyeing process woven fabrics, making them more suitable smooth surface appearance and can be applied to Merino fabrics for garments such as t-shirts, activewear texture, and a clear definition of the to give them a ‘vintage’ look, and babywear. Woven fabrics are often knitted stitches. without the common issues of used to produce more formal garments These fabrics are incredibly versatile — loss of colour fastness such as suiting or tailored jackets. they are used for babywear, underwear, experienced by other fabrics. t-shirts and sportwear, leggings, Worsted-spun woven fabrics dresses and other lightweight knitwear. bulkier yarn than those used in the worsted-spun system, making them The worsted processing system uses Worsted-spun knitted fabrics are ideal suitable for thick heavyweight woven the highest-quality fleeces to produce for wearing every day — they are soft fabrics. These fabrics are ideal for very fine yarns, which can be woven to and comfortable, great for travelling, warm winter jackets and coats. make extremely smooth, lightweight lightweight and don’t need ironing. and expensive fabrics. Woollen-spun woven fabrics are Woollen-spun woven fabrics generally windproof and can repel These luxury fabrics are used by fine light rain, so are suitable to wear tailors around the world for clothes such Fleeces processed through the as an outer layer when outdoors as business suits, trousers and skirts. woollen system generally produce during cold weather. Worsted-spun woven fabrics are ideal to wear in warm weather or indoors, where they keep you cool and comfortable. Fast facts • Wool is a versatile natural fibre that can be used to make garments as diverse as business suits, knitted jumper, sportswear or babywear. • Fine Merino wool produces lightweight woven or knitted fabrics that are easy-care, soft touch, cool and comfortable. • Innovative technologies can be introduced during processing to Worsted-spun woven: Tailors around the world Worsted-spun knitted: Fine Merino wool produce fabrics with specialist pay premium prices for Australian Merino is ideal for next-to-skin garments such features for specific end uses. worsted-spun fabrics, which are made into high- as babywear, because it is super-soft end business suits. and comfortable. SECONDARY FACT SHEET - DIFFERENT TYPES OF WOOL FABRICS Woollen-spun knitted fabrics are characterised by having a slightly raised and fuzzy surface appearance. Knitted fabrics made from fleeces Glossary Woollen-spun knitted fabrics make that have been processed through the Fibre diameter — the thickness great soft, warm jumpers, scarves, woollen system are generally heavier of a single wool fibre. and bulkier than worsted-spun knitted beanies, socks and cardigans ideal for fabrics. These types of knitwear fabrics keeping you warm in cooler weather. Fleece — the wool that covers the body of a sheep, usually removed by shearing. Wool innovations Micron — a millionth of a metre and the unit of measurement used Mercerised Merino Wool denim — woven fabric to describe wool fibre diameter. Mercerisation involves applying a A wool–cotton denim blend uses the Natural fibre — a fibre sourced chemical to the wool before spinning same warp yarn as traditional denim, from a plant or animal, not to remove the scale structure from the but replaces some, or all, of the weft manufactured in laboratories surface of the wool fibre. yarns with machine-washable wool. (synthetic fibre). A very fine layer of silicone polymer is The fabrics are finished the same Scoured wool — greasy (raw) wool then grafted onto the fibres’ surface. as traditional denim, so style isn’t that has been cleaned to remove compromised, and all the natural While the micron stays the same, any dirt, lanolin (grease) and benefits associated with wool are the fabric feels as if it is made using vegetable matter (plant material). maintained. wool 2–3 microns finer and has a Woollen processing — uses greater sheen. Wool denim — knitwear shorter fibres, less stages and The process also improves the drape, Innovative dyeing systems for cotton produces a thicker yarn than fluidity and comfort especially in next and wool mean it is feasible to create worsted processing. to skin products. denim-like wool yarns which, when Worsted processing — uses knitted into denim jersey stuctures, Machine wash and tumble dry longer fibres, more stages and can create knitted denim looks in produces a finer, high-quality yarn Like mercerisation, the machine wash pure wool or wool/cotton blends. than woollen processing. and tumble dry technology involves treating the wool with a chemical and Yarn — fibres of wool twisted later applying a polymer, which swells together to form a rope-like thread during washing and masks the scale ready for knitting or weaving. edges responsible for felting. For fine gauge knitted garments, which are generally made from More information worsted-spun yarns, the treatment To find out more about wool fabrics is often applied before spinning. take a look at: For woollen-spun products, such as • learnaboutwool.com lambswool sweaters, the treatment • Beyond the Bale: is normally applied to the knitted beyondthebale.wool.com garment during the final wet- • woolmarklearningcentre.com finishing process. • The posters, fibre, yarn and fabric OPTIM technology samples that came with the Learn About Wool Kit. Fabric incorporating OPTIM technology is made from 100 per cent Merino wool and possesses, in addition to Merino wool’s inherent attributes, enhanced shower resistance, wind-resistance, wrinkle-recovery and machine- washability. This makes it an ideal Wool denim: Denim is probably the most fabric for use in garments for sports popular trousering fabric in the world because and outdoor pursuits. of its value for money and relaxed appearance. 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