The Wool Month Edit: Wool Month 2024

28th October 2024

For Wool Month this year, we’ve brought together some fantastic, credible resources all about wonderful wool.

We know what you’re thinking… surely every month is Wool Month at AW Hainsworth?

That’s true. It’s the wonder fibre that forms the foundation of all our products. We blend, card, spin, wind, warp, weave, dye, mill, finish and convert wool daily. 

We could (and do) talk regularly about the mill and the woollen fabrics we produce all year round, so this month we wanted to take a slightly different approach. For Wool Month 2024, we’ve brought together lots of resources from some fantastic, credible sources, all on the topic of wool. This includes advice on how to care for it, some interesting applications you might not have thought of, and even some books we recommend if you want to know more. 

These are the topics we explore – click on the buttons to head straight to your chosen topic.

side view of the head of a merino wool sheep

What is Wool Month?

Wool Month is a month long celebration of wool, organised by the Campaign for Wool. The Campaign for Wool was launched in 2010 to educate consumers on the benefits of wool. Its patron is HM The King, a long-time advocate for the use of natural materials.

During October, the Campaign for Wool draw attention to the importance of wool. They do this through events, social media campaigns and promotional items. You can read more about the Campaign for Wool here.

close up of threads of wool yarn in a pattern

Is wool a sustainable choice?

Natural, renewable, biodegradable, all words used to describe wool. We really believe in it as a sustainable fibre, and we wanted to share some further resources as to why this is.

The latest campaign video from The Woolmark Company is a powerful watch. Titled ‘Wear Wool, Not Waste’, it explores the fact that every synthetic garment ever made still exists in some form. You can access the video, plus information on consumption of textile fibres, here:

The International Wool Textile Organisation breaks down wool sustainability into handy two page downloads. Topics include the carbon cycle, biodegradability, life cycle assessment, traceability and more. We’ve linked biodegradability here, but there is a full menu of downloads on the left hand side of the page.

HRH King Charles is the Patron of Campaign for Wool, and is quoted here on his thoughts about moving to a circular system where textiles are produced sustainably. Also included on this page is a short documentary titled ‘Why Wool Matters’, which further explores wool’s role in the circular economy.

Finally, there are many options for when wool products reach their end of life, further extending their lifespan. Luxury knitwear brand Rhea has a Recycle Your Knit programme, where they accept any 100% wool garment that will be turned into yarn to be used in new products.

 a lone sheep on the moors

Does wool create jobs?

West Yorkshire has long been known as a textile-producing region. Mills like ours started during the Industrial Revolution, and have remained in constant production since. Much of the textile manufacturing in Yorkshire has since moved overseas, but a handful of mills remain. They specialise in woollens, technical textiles, and fashion and interiors fabrics.

Making fabric requires a great deal of skill, and protecting this is crucial to the future of the textile industry in the UK. It is a workforce of experts who utilise their knowledge, experience and craftsmanship daily.

We are keen to welcome more people into a career in textiles, and for us specifically wool, as part of our belief in the UK textile industry. There are many different routes, so we have some interesting reads about the many ways you can work in textiles.

The UKFT have collated a list of apprenticeship opportunities, as well as a guide to different roles in textiles. You can read more about being a Weaver, for example, including a typical working week, average pay, what qualifications are required and career prospects.

For an industry that has been established for as long as ours, there are still trails being blazed and new paths being carved out. This case study focuses on the UK’s first female wool grader, working at British Wool in Bradford.

Finally, for a more worldwide view on careers in wool, this comprehensive guide to ‘Your Future in Wool’ from AWI and Woolmark considers every step of wool production. Even if you aren’t looking for pathways into this industry, this booklet is a fascinating oversight into the different areas of expertise required to produce wool – well worth a read.

hands parting merino wool on a sheep's back

How do you care for wool?

When cared for properly, wool products can last for a long time and maintain quality. We hear this regularly from our blanket customers, who pass their wool blankets down through generations. As well as making wool products an excellent investment, buying less and using things for longer is better for the environment.

Care is the important bit here though, wool products have to be treated well to last. We have brought together some of the best resources on the web about how to look after wool in its many different forms.

Woolmark offers comprehensive advice on Washing, Drying, Storing and Mending wool products. Their Careculator, where you specify the Garment and what Challenge you are facing, is a brilliantly interactive way to ensure you are extending the lifespan of your wool product.

Our friends at The Wool Company offer lots of advice specifically for wool blankets, throws, shawls and rugs. They answer questions on hand-washing, tumble drying and storage, and go into detail about the care different wool fibres require.

 For garments, the team at ASKET talk about resting wool garments, removing pilling and how to deal with moths. Their Wool Care guide is part of a wider Garment Care Guide which offers great advice for most of your wardrobe.

We know quite a bit about taking care of Snooker and Pool fabric to ensure you get the most out of your cloth. This can improve longevity and speed of play. We have a handy guide to Care & Maintenance, including advice about brushing, ironing and managing cue marks on your cloth.

a group of sheep looking forward in the mist

Is wool a positive force in the world?

As well as being a versatile and durable fibre, wool can be used as a force for good. We have a couple of examples of how wool from our mill has benefitted others.

We recently received a letter of thanks from Operation Florian, a fire service charity that provides protection and services to communities in need across the world. Our team collected and donated spare John Atkinson by Hainsworth blankets to persons displaced by the Ukraine war. They helped to keep them warm in incredibly hard conditions.

AW Hainsworth is partnered with Zarach, a Leeds-based organisation dedicated to helping children in poverty get a good night’s sleep. In addition to donating pyjamas, bedsheets and toothbrushes, Hainsworth have also donated child-sized blankets to the charity. These will be distributed to families who are unable to afford bedding.

As well as these two organisations, we also want to highlight more charities that use wool to help those in need.

The Woolmen Charity, a branch of the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, is dedicated to environmental protection, the advancement of wool science, community development, and providing charitable scholarships and grants.

Wool-Aid is a non-profit group made up of knitters worldwide. They knit, crochet and weave warm woollen clothing and blankets to children living in the harshest conditions. The group started in 2009 and now boasts over 2600 members.

Finally, you may already be familiar with the little woolly hats that can be found on the tops of some bottles of Innocent smoothies. Innocent donate 25p from every behatted bottle to Age UK, raising c. £3 million for the charity. The hats are knitted by thousands of volunteers, and can be returned to the business for re-use free of charge.

close up of wool yarn

How is wool being used in innovative ways?

If we asked you to think of a wool product, your mind might go to a jumper, a scarf, a blanket, socks or even wool yarn for knitting. All are correct, but they are only a tiny sample of the products wool is used for.

In fact, because of the amazing properties of wool, including being fire-resistant, biodegradable, naturally breathable and temperature-regulating, it is proving itself useful in many different applications. We’ve shared a few interesting ones we have heard about recently.

Woolcool are pioneers of sustainable packaging, replacing non-biodegradable plastic packaging with a 100% wool solution for the shipment of food and other perishable items. The packaging keeps products cool while being reusable and recyclable.

Wool is an excellent insulator, and thousands of homes in Wales are to be insulated with sheep’s wool as part of a wider decarbonising project.

The high air permeability of wool is being used in air filters to combat the issue of indoor air pollution.

We might be slightly biased on this one, but Yorkshire woollen mill Hainsworth (that’s us) uses merino wool for breathable wildland protective fabric.

Wool is an alternative to plastic, in the form of furniture. The clever people at Solidwool have created a new composite material made from 50% wool, used in beautiful furniture.

We often describe wool as a wonder fibre, these innovative and varied applications show exactly why.

group of merino sheep looking forward stood on grass

What are some common myths about wool?

Wool can be misunderstood, so in this section we will debunk some common myths.

 Myth: Wool is itchy

We can’t disagree entirely, some wool is indeed itchy, but modern wool from breeds like Merino is incredibly soft. The days of coarse, itchy jumpers are gone, modern garments made from wool feel good next to the skin.

 Myth: Wool causes allergies

Not true! Wool has properties that make it suitable for people with allergies or sensitivities. Its moisture-wicking properties make it less likely to harbour dust particles, and the lanolin content has antimicrobial and antifungal properties.

 Myth: Wool is too warm for summer

Wool is a year-round fabric. It is breathable, can regulate temperature, and wicks away moisture to keep you dry. Sportswear brands have adopted merino wool for its breathability and moisture-wicking properties. It is now commonly worn for running, cycling and gym workouts.

Myth: Sleeping under wool is old fashioned

Our team and customers shared memories of sleeping under scratchy wool blankets in decades gone by, which have since been replaced by duvets often made from synthetic materials. The quality and softness of woollen blankets have improved since then, and wool duvets are also available. Companies like our own John Atkinson have lots of information about the benefits of sleeping under wool.

Myth: Wool is hard to care for

Wool requires less washing than other fabrics due to its natural resistance to odour and stains. Often a simple airing out is enough to refresh wool garments, blankets and throws.

Myth: Wool is expensive

The myth is that wool is more expensive than synthetic fabrics, but something that is often missing from the conversation about wool is the lifespan of the product you are buying. Wool is durable and products usually last much longer, making it a more cost-effective investment.

We hope by addressing some common myths about wool, we are helping people to understand the true value and versatility of this fibre.

raw wool with visible vegetal matter

Do you have any wool themed book recommendations?

For Wool Month, the Hainsworth Marketing team shared wool-themed books they read and enjoyed. We’ve also shared links to buy these books from ethical sellers where possible.

Vanishing Fleece by Clara Parkes

“Vanishing Fleece by Clara Parkes takes you on a journey through the world of American wool – the author goes on a journey from the sheep to finished yarn, weaving the people behind each step into her story. I particularly enjoyed the focus on sustainability and the impact of fast fashion.

Parkes highlights the importance of appreciating high-quality wool and the craftsmanship behind it, as well as the importance of supporting local farmers.”

A Short History of the World According to Sheep

“A Short History of the World According to Sheep by Sally Coulthard is a fascinating look at how the cultivation of these farm animals has shaped modern society. The book touches on topics as varied as nursery rhymes, the Mongolian Empire, and the use of woolly jumpers as national identifiers. The chapter on Bradford and the Industrial Revolution is interesting, when “wool detonated one way of life and replaced it with another”.

It is fast-paced and funny without shying away from some of the more challenging moments in the history of the wool industry.”

The Golden Thread – How fabric changed history

“The Golden Thread by Kassia St Clair is the ideal read for fabric enthusiasts (or nerds), exploring how textiles have shaped cultures, economies and innovations across centuries. It covers fabric in all forms, from shrouds and silk to lace and linen.

Wool pops up in the most interesting places, including a coarse woollen cloth used in the sails of Viking Ships. I echo the thoughts of the author that sometimes take fabrics for granted – this book makes an excellent case for why this shouldn’t be the case.”

blended wool at the start of the carding process

As we wrap up our celebration of Wool Month 2024, it’s clear that wool is not just a versatile and sustainable material but a cornerstone of innovation and tradition across the globe. We hope the resources shared in this post have not only deepened your appreciation for wool but also encouraged you to explore its many uses and benefits.

Whether you’re an enthusiast, a fashion aficionado, or simply curious, the world of wool offers something for everyone.

We create woollen products for a wide range of industries, from fashion and interiors to protectives and travel. Our final link is to Our Sectors page, to explore the variety of different products manufactured at our West Yorkshire woollen mill.

Happy Wool Month from the team at AW Hainsworth.

One sheep looking up in a group of sheep