| Wool usually comes from sheep, but it can also come | | | | the goat is sheared, the coarse guard hair must be |
| from rabbits, goats and llamas. There are many | | | | removed. Since both methods are time consuming, |
| different types of wool, but they all share certain | | | | cashmere is very expensive. |
| characteristics. The most important characteristic is | | | | Llama wool is one of the finest wools that you can |
| that it easily absorbs moisture. It can absorb up to 30 | | | | find. It comes from the llama's undercoat, which is very |
| percent of its weight without feeling wet, plus the | | | | fine, unlike the llama's coarse outer guard hair. Like |
| moisture content in the wool helps to prevent a | | | | angora goats and rabbits, llamas can be sheared or |
| build-up of static electricity. Wool will keep you warmer | | | | brushed in order to gather this fine undercoat. Llama |
| than other fibres. Wool is also very elastic and can | | | | wool is not commonly used and can be hard to find. |
| easily be stretched when wet; yet it is still able to | | | | Merino wool comes from Merino sheep. It is the finest |
| return to its normal shape once it is dry. All of these | | | | and softest of all wool that comes from sheep. It is |
| factors make it very comfortable to wear. The | | | | easy to dye and comes in a wide range of colours, |
| following is an explanation of the different types of | | | | from pastels to bright shades to multi-colour strands. |
| wool that can be used for knitting. | | | | Most Merino wool comes from Australia and New |
| Angora wool is a light, natural fibre that is grown only | | | | Zealand, with Australia producing about 43 percent of |
| by angora rabbits. The wool can be gathered in two | | | | the world's supply. |
| ways. The first way is to comb the rabbit at least | | | | Mohair wool is grown on Angora goats. The mohair is |
| once a week. While time consuming, this method | | | | shorn from the goat twice a year, once in spring and |
| produces superior quality fleece, as guard hair is not | | | | once in fall. Mohair is noted for its high lustre and sheen, |
| gathered. The second way is to shear the rabbit, much | | | | as well as being very durable. Like angora wool, |
| like a sheep. This method is less time consuming and | | | | mohair is very warm and absorbs moisture. |
| yields a larger quantity of fleece. It has been found that | | | | Tip: When washing clothing made from wool, use net |
| angora wool is up to three times warmer than sheep | | | | bags. Place the clothing item in the net bag, then place |
| wool. | | | | it in the washer in the delicate cycle. When the wash is |
| Cashmere wool is extremely soft. It comes from | | | | done, hang or lay flat to dry. This works even for |
| Cashmere goats, which can be combed or sheared. If | | | | clothes that say to hand wash only. |