The Nature of Wool

April 01, 2012

Knitting is not exclusive to the British Iles. Did you know that the earliest looped or knitted fabrics may have been produced in the Middle East before the birth of Christ? Fourth century socks have been recovered from Egyptian tombs; and cushions of the 13th century have been recovered from tombs in Spain! Even gloves, purses (for the holding of religious relics), and girdles were also created by our wealthier Spanish ancestors. Creations from the same period have been found in Polish cemeteries.

Knitting fine luxury items were for the wealthy. However, even those who were poor required woolen items to keep them warm and reasonably dry. Their wool was usually of a coarser variety due in part to their poverty and the time required to turn out something of refined quality. The landed gentry had people processing their wool, whereas the poor usually had to produce their own, and quickly.

Woolen clothing of the rich and of the poor was handed down from one generation to the next. Not only was clothing created by knitting but also household items - cushions, tapestry wools, household laces, as well as undergarments.

Wool, from sheep, is a unique fiber. Put it on a hot coal and it starts to burn, remove it and it self-extinguishes. This is due to the moisture contained within the wool fiber itself. According to the American Sheep Industry Association, wool is comparatively stronger than steel!

Wool can keep you warm in cold weather and cool in hot climates. Bedouins, in the Sahara Desert, are known for their long billowing robes (remember Laurence of Arabia?). These were created from the finest of wools, which keep them cool in the searing heat! Wool is also resistant to mold and mildew. One hundred percent wool is capable of soaking up 30% of its own weight in moisture. When you are caught in a rainstorm wearing a wooly, you will probably feel warm (and a bit itchy, depending on the quality of the wool). This is because the fibers are bent in such a way that it helps wick moisture away from your body. And if you want to learn even more about wool and its history, have a look at this list of resources I found in our catalog.

The Ides of March was celebrated at Boardwalk with the Needlecraft group getting together. However, most needleworkers spent the time at home or out with their families. What brilliant weather we have been blessed with as of late. Polly and I had a nice time scanning books on knitting and crochet, our needlework and catching up on life in general. We had a grand time and hope all of the needleworkers out there join us next month. We meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. and the 3rd Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Till next time—

Joyce D.
Boardwalk Branch