| Have you ever had the pleasure of wearing | | | | materials, even cotton - indeed while some cotton |
| lambswool? No? Well, have you ever been hugged by | | | | garments started to deteriorate after just 60 |
| someone wearing lambswool? It may sound like a | | | | washes, similar lambswool clothing was able to |
| strange question, but the truth is that you really | | | | withstand up to 700 washes before exhibiting signs |
| cannot appreciate the sheer luxury and softness of | | | | of damage. |
| this fabulous natural fibre unless you've been "up | | | | Talking of washing, it should be pointed out that |
| close and personal" with it. | | | | lambswool does require a little bit of special care and |
| Wool has always enjoyed a well-deserved reputation | | | | attention when it comes to cleaning. Manufacturers |
| for being resilient, warm, chic and practical. But while | | | | of lambswool clothing often recommend dry cleaning, |
| standard sheep's wool has many merits, at the same | | | | but if you are careful and use the correct detergent |
| time it does have a reputation for being rather | | | | and technique, hand washing is a viable (and less |
| "scratchy". In contrast, the gentle touch of | | | | expensive) alternative. |
| lambswool on your skin almost defies description - | | | | If all this sounds like a bit of a hassle, you can rest |
| just imagine wearing a fabric that feels as light as | | | | assured that the pleasure of wearing wonderfully |
| dandelion seeds and as soft as eiderdown, and you'll | | | | soft lambswool more than compensates for any |
| be half-way there. | | | | slight inconvenience caused by having to roll up your |
| So what is it that makes lambswool different, and | | | | shirtsleeves occasionally in the interests of your |
| why is it so much softer and more tactile than | | | | favourite jumper's hygienic welfare. |
| normal wool? As with so many things in this life, it all | | | | The final, and perhaps most significant, advantage |
| comes down to timing. As its name suggests, | | | | offered by lambswool as a material - not only for |
| lambswool comes from younger sheep than standard | | | | clothes but also for boot linings and even bedding - is |
| wool originates from. It is taken from a lamb's first | | | | the fact that it is breathable. This means that the |
| shearing, which usually occurs when the animal is | | | | body temperature of the person wearing lambswool |
| around six months old. | | | | clothing (or sleeping in lambswool bedding) is kept well |
| This virgin wool possesses several qualities that make | | | | regulated, making this material a popular choice for |
| it suitable for the top end of the textile industry. For | | | | use in babies' cribs. |
| a start, it is particularly soft and elastic. | | | | It also means that lambswool can be worn all year |
| This means that, unlike many man-made fabrics | | | | round - not just in winter, as you might think. For |
| which have a tendency to cling to the wearer, | | | | whilst it will keep you snug and cosy when the icy |
| lambswool has a special soft stretchiness, so it | | | | winds doth blow, this multipurpose natural fabric will |
| doesn't cling awkwardly but rather moves with the | | | | also keep moisture away from your body during |
| body. Moreover, owing to its shorter fibres, | | | | warmer spells, ensuring that you remain cool at all |
| lambswool takes and holds dye well, making it more | | | | times. |
| colourfast. | | | | By choosing to wear lambswool clothing, you really |
| Another factor in favour of lambswool is its resilience. | | | | can have the best of both worlds. |
| Testing has revealed that it outlasts other natural | | | | |