Suzy Beggin, Shepherdess

                                                                                                                                            Suzy@SuzyBeggin.com

 

 

 

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Balls of Yarn
Isn't Wool Scratchy?
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Other Fun Links:

 

1858 Historic Ball

A historic dance in celebration of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas Debate to take place on August 30, 2008.

 

Suzy's Doozies & Suzy's Musings

My book and weekly articles.

 

Galena Historic Dance Society

A fun group to practice and learn 19th century dance.  We meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the ARC in Galena.  All are welcome!

 

Stephenson County Fiber Art Fair

A marvelous celebration of fiber.

 

Freeport Cruise Night Nothing to do with sheep or wool, but it's an event I volunteer at and have a lot of fun with.  J

 

 

 

Text Box: But Isn’t Wool Scratchy?

Text Box: Some wool is very scratchy, and some is quite soft.   You know there are different breeds of dogs, and some have soft fur while others have coarse fur.  The same is true of sheep.  Some breeds have soft wool, called “fine” or “medium” wool.  Other breeds have very coarse wool called, simply, “coarse wool.”   Wool Allergies Some people truly are allergic to wool and should not wear it.  But some people who think they are allergic may just be suffering from the effects of wearing coarse, low quality wool.  If wearing wool makes you itchy and red only on the areas that come in direct contact with the wool, this may be the case.  Talk to your doctor to determine whether you are truly allergic to wool or not - you may be missing out on the joys of wool when you don’t have to!  Raising sheep for meat is much more profitable than raising sheep for wool.  In many cases, farmers have bred sheep to be prolific (more lambs = more meat = more money), have fast growing lambs (the sooner they grow to market weight, the less days you have to buy feed for them = more money), and be meaty (more meat per lamb = more money).  Meat sheep farmers don’t breed for wool quality, and as a result they tend to have low quality, coarse wool that is quite scratchy.  Coarse wool is less valuable to the industry and can be purchased very cheaply, so when you buy inexpensive wool clothing it is most likely made from cheap, coarse wool.   But my sheep are not meat breeds.    When compared under a microscope, a piece of fine or medium wool is thinner than coarse wool.  Merinos are known the world over for their fine, soft wool.  Merinos also tend to have single births (not twins or triplets), so while they are prized by wool farmers they are avoided by meat farmers.   My sheep are all fine or medium wool breeds, and the wool is so soft I wear it next to my skin.  To feel the softness of my wool for yourself, order a sample card.     

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