and it's polyurethane! what's not to love. :eek::eek::eek::eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by OakLeaf
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and it's polyurethane! what's not to love. :eek::eek::eek::eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by OakLeaf
My wool purchases from SAC have been trickling in. Most of them are not for me, but now I wish that I had ordered some of them in my size.:rolleyes::o The SW microweight zip-T is very nice. The fabric has a light ribbing and feels so soft - softer than my wool base layers, anyway. Maybe I'll wear it around for a bit before I send it off to Dh.
Patagonia Merino 1 crew - like silk, the softest, thinnest, yummiest wool base layer I've ever had (and that's over Smartwool, Ibex, Io/Bio, Icebreaker, REI, Helly Hansen, and probably others I have forgotten). Has a nice scoop neck which lends a more feminine touch.
Patagonia Merino 4 bottoms - Wow. Layered under a pair of medium weight fleece pants, I was toasty warm through 4 cold days of steelhead fishing in 46 degree water over my hips. Sized and fitted more like loose tights, so if you want to layer under tight clothing buy a size smaller. Washed up like a dream. Wish I had these for my Alaska fishing trips.
Patagonia Ultra Heavyweight mountaineering socks under neoprene wader feet and a lt pair of neoprene wader socks and who knew my weakest point was standing in 46 degree water for 8 hours a day for 4 days! Cold? What cold! So far only Patagonia and Cabelas make mountaineering weight socks sized for small feet. I like the denser weave of the Patagucci's but you pay for it.
And the piece de resistance when the winds came up.
SK - I LOVE that hat! Can you tell me...is it stretchy at all? I have a huge head and would need a larger size unless it's stretchy and that's hard to tell from the picture. ;)
(please, please, please let it not be stretchy so that I'm not compelled to buy it.....)
Um, you may be in luck.:D :( :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by GLC1968
I'm a pinhead. Happened to have a tape measure handy and my noggin is 21.5". The hat would accomodate a 22" head at most.
Mine is 21". Most hats are gigantic on me. :oQuote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
I know the feeling . . .
Another 21" head...
This thread is soooo long and technology has probably changed a bit since it started so I am going to ask a question that has probably been asked before...
Does anyone avoid wool because they break out in a rash of welts?
This has been a life-long, head-to-toe problem for me.
I have avoided wool for much of my 49 years because of this.
I purchased two pair of Smart Wool socks for hiking last summer because I was tired of getting blisters. They did not cause welting on my feet or ankles. I just purchased two more pair and plan to cycle out my non-wool fashion socks as well. (Slowly because SW is $$$$$)
Are these technical wool items different than the fashion items I have never had the pleasure to enjoy? Will my legs, torso, arms, neck and head be able to tolerate this new generation wool?
I am tempted to try a base-layer-T. Has anyone who welts tried the newer sports-tech stuff and survived?
Oy, thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
Yeah, I don't have a tape measure handy but just rolling a ruler around my head tells me that mine is bigger than 2 ft...no surprize. :eek: Too many brains, I guess! ;)
Thanks, though!
(and phew!)
yeah, my itchy twitchy husband. He LOVES his merino underlayer teeshirt.Quote:
Originally Posted by MommyBird
it IS different but i don't know how or why.
This totally depends on whether or not you experience irritation from wool or have a true wool allergy - the allergy is a reaction to lanolin and causes contact dermatitis. A person with an allergy will react to lanolin in any product - so a hand cream could cause an outbreak without ever being near a sweater.. Irritation from wool is not uncommon and can be pretty severe, but isn't a true allergy. Finer, softer wools will be less irritating so indeed someone who finds wool sweaters to be generally itchy can be just fine with a soft merino.Quote:
Originally Posted by Biciclista
no one said they had a true allergy, they were asking for anecdotal information.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eden
and you said there was a difference and you didn't know why so I was just attempting an explanation..... well softer wools, merinos, smartwool etc. are finer and softer - less irritating to the skin. If you are just sensitive to this irritation then yes, there will be a difference in today's wools to the old scratchy wool sweaters that people remember. OTOH if you have a true wool allergy any wool, soft or not will make you react as it is the lanolin and not the wool fibers themselves that cause the allergy. The thing is some people really can get a bad skin reaction just from the irritation - so you may not know if its an allergy or not unless you know you can either wear soft wool and be OK or react to lanolin products that are unassociated with the wool fibers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Biciclista
I get itchy from old school wool and can't wear it next to my skin. No problems with merino, smartwool, cashmere etc.
Just to clarify, the new softer merino wool items we tend to rave about are not 'sports-tech' or 'technical wool'. They are just WOOL. But they are 100% merino breed sheep wool- which is much finer and softer to begin with and tends to not make people break out and itch like the wool sweaters we were used to when growing up.Quote:
Originally Posted by MommyBird
There's nothing 'technical' or 'sports' about it aside from the fact that the merino breed of sheep produce the finest softest fiber sheep wool there is.
Maybe buy a sleeveless Smartwool base layer vest and give it a try? Smartwool, Ibex, and I believe Icebreaker use only fine merino wool in their 100% wool items. Others offer it too, like Patagonia.
You can also look for labels saying "100% merino wool" in thrift store sweaters.
Always read the labels....and beware of things labeled like "wool blend" or "wool tech", "wool fleece", etc....usually indicating only part wool content.
I would have to slightly disagree. I've been wearing Merino wool for more than 30 years. When my friends were wearing sweatshirts at camp, I had big cable knit wool sweaters! Over time, there have been major advancements our ability to knit/spin the wool into these thin, soft, delicate fibers that make these garments suitable for athletic/sports base layers. The merino wool sweaters of my HS days were wonderfully soft, but they were entirely too thick and too 'fuzzy' (for lack of a more technical term) to be worn for potentially sweaty athletic pursuits. We would wear the fine silk under garments and then put the wool on top. Even 100% merino can be too 'itchy' when it's not woven into these wonderful fabrics. I'd say that qualifies them as 'technical'.Quote:
Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl
Mommybird -
I would guess that since you can wear smartwool socks with no welts forming on your ankles, then you are probably just sensitive to the texture more than to the lanolin and you'd probably be fine with a soft base layer. Give it a shot...come to the wooly side! ;)
Very true - technical companies (like smartwool) tend to use merino, but that doesn't mean all merino is technical wool and may require more gentle care than say, Smartwool socks and base layers, which can even be thrown in the dryer. Do that with a merino sweater and you'll probably find it a suitable size for a 6 yo... not that you cannot wash wool. I have a nice cashmere-silk blend turtleneck that I wash often. I just make sure to air dry it. Unlike the wool of old times, it is thin, soft and dries quickly.
Sort of.Quote:
Originally Posted by MommyBird
Washable wool is created by using acid to remove the scales so the fiber doesn't felt when washed. Additionally, the fiber may be coated with polymers or teflon. Perhaps, the lack of scales, the coating, and a potential loss of lanolin from the acid bath may mean people may be less likely to react to the wool.
Anyone who knits and/or felts with wool can tell you that superwash yarns behave very differently than wool that still has its natural scales and lanolin (and even "normal" yarn has varying degrees of lanolin depending on how much the wool has been processed prior to spinning). It not only doesn't felt, it can remain stretchier. Fair Isle knitting can be tricky with washable wool because the yarn scales aren't there to grab onto the neighboring strand, so the garment stretches more and doesn't have the same memory (i.e., shrink back to original size).
Editing to add that all wool is technically "washable" but what the industry calls washable wool or superwash can be much more roughly handled (a washing machine) and maybe even thrown in the dryer. When washing non-superwash, don't use agitation, warm water or heat to dry. Otherwise, you'll get shrinkage and felting.
Here's some more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wool
Superwash wool (or washable wool) technology first appeared in the early 1970s to produce wool that has been specially treated so that it is machine washable and may be tumble-dried. This wool is produced using an acid bath that removes the "scales" from the fiber, or by coating the fiber with a polymer that prevents the scales from attaching to each other and causing shrinkage.
http://knitting.about.com/od/knittin...rwash_wool.htm
http://www.thevillaandshoestoo.com/P...le%20wool.html
Depending on the garment part wool can be fine. Socks for instance. You need some nylon for durability (knitters have added a nylon running thread to the heels of socks for years) and elastic or Lycra can help them hold their shape (not sag, the bane of my hiking/skiing life).
Nylon and polyester used appropriately can make a far more durable garment and help the garment hold its shape, especially in a woven fabric. You just need to learn how to gauge when it's used appropriately and when it's just a way to cut cost and, therefore, quality.
I was super sensitive to wool as a kid and while I tons of wool sweaters, I could only wear them with a heavy turtle neck underneath.
I have to have the finest (17-18 micron) merino to have it next to my skin. The Ibex tees I bought are on the edge of bothering me, but I wear them. But, I can't layer my Ibex Kates with a Shak, because the wool over wool makes me itch. I can only wear wool pants if they are lined and even a stretchy cotton/lycra button down shirt will itch me enough that it's OK alone, but not with a merino sweater over it.
So, from my experience, you probably can wear the lightest weight Merino with no issue. I find Ibex and Smartwool the least bothersome. Haven't done so well with Icebreaker, though.
Of course a seam that is too thick will irritate me and make me break out in welts, so take this for what it's worth.
very interesting Sadie Kate - thanks!
Ok, I guess we may have definition variations going on.
I agree that finer/thinner weight merino fabric and washable (shrink resistant) merino fabric does make it more useful for sporting activities and base layers, as compared to more traditional 'regular' merino wool fabric.
I just don't think of 'superwash' merino or lightweight/thin merino as being something one would label as 'technical wool'. It's good for athletic/sporting uses but is also good for 'non-technical' every day use.
What makes a fabric 'technical' anyway? :confused: I used to think it was just a marketing term designed to imply special/professional sports usage. Is there an official definition?
Who knows? I tend to categorize wool more from the production/processing of the yarn point of view.
First the aminal - sheep, alpaca, llama, camel, goat, whatever
Then the processing - to remove lanolin, coat it, de-scale it, oil it, whatever. I guess in a simplistic form: oiled/unprocessed, washable and "standard". I'll use unprocessed wool for hunting/fishing gloves because the amount of lanolin and less processed fibers produces a very weather/water resistant fabric. It can be somewhat harsh to work with but the lanolin leaves my hands and cuticles soooo soft. I'll actually try to alternate projects because processed wool will dry out my cuticles. This is probably the wool that causes the most itchiness also, but, if you can tolerate, it's wonderful for bad weather.
Has anyone tried one yet? How thin? How silky?
https://www.buffwear.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/1_126
Getting ready to put in an order for Bubba and me.
why do they make them LONGER than the original?Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
Yeah, no kidding! My original ones are too long as it is!Quote:
Originally Posted by Biciclista
I've sometimes wished my microfiber buff was longer so I could double it without exposing my neck. I think I'll like the extra length in the middle of a snow storm.
I think jobob has cut her microfiber buff and it hasn't raveled.
Yeah, I cut all my buffs except for my Amici Veloci one, actually. But I'm pretty sure we won't be able to cut the wool ones!
Phooey. Oh well, that's just one more wool item I don't have to buy. :D
So....our heads are shrinking and buffs are getting bigger.... :eek:
That's weird. I saw the text about the merino buff being longer (not bigger in circumference) but the dimensions don't agree.
Merino Buff:
Dimensions: 20.7” x 9.6”
Original Buff:
Dimensions: 52cm x 24.5cm or 20.7” x 9.6”
BTW, I saw that they now have a headband buff would might make some of you happier. ;) I think my big-headed hubby likes the length of the standard Buff.
I almost wish I'd never tried Smartwool socks. I like them so much that if I won the lottery, I would immediately buy about $1,000 worth of Smartwool socks.
Pam
Thanks again for all the great information.
From the personal experience of other "welters" to the textile experts, this is very helpful.
I now know that I will still not be able to partake of those wool must-have fashion essentials that fill the department stores each winter. Sometimes I linger among the racks and stare at the soft looking colorful beauties and pretend that they would not make my skin crawl. Then I come to my senses and head for the stiff, rough, cotton sweaters.
I am going to start looking into the finer merino brands mentioned. A tank would be a good start. Keep my initial investment small.
I am glad I have discovered TE. Not only is it a great source for bike info but who knew that I would get answers above and beyond my expectations for this little wool issue that I started experimenting with this past June!
My son has one of these.
His favorite style is the "pirate".
He does crew and likes to use it to protect his bean and absorb sweat.
He hasn't used it for warmth but his is not wool.
I have not read all 165 pages of this awesome thread :eek: ! :D So sorry if this is a repeat. But do many people here knit? And if you do have you ever tried making underwear? I can only knit scarves, blankets and other straight things but was thinking about branching out. I found this underwear pattern. http://fibremonkey.blogspot.com/2008...und-there.html I don't think I'm at that level yet but if you used some fine merino wool they might be quite nice!?
I'm a knitter and spinner. I only knit in the round. I've knit about 40 pairs of mittens and some socks and hats, but never anything straight!Quote:
Originally Posted by Shara
I was just wondering if it would be worth trying to knit a lightweight wool sweater. I've never done a sweater and I'd hate to knit one up and have it turn out the wrong size . . . .
I have a couple of T-shirts and tank tops in a very fine merino/silk blend, that are noticeably softer than my merino stuff. But even then, after wearing them for a while, especially if I sweat in them or wear a backpack, I fall back on cotton as indoor wear because it's gentler on my skin. I don't welt, I just get prickly.Quote:
Originally Posted by MommyBird
Are they super staticky?Quote:
Originally Posted by lph
A distant memory of the days when natural fibers were plentiful, that kids used to do an elementary school science experiment by rubbing silk and wool together, to generate sparks?
I just hate being really staticky, and it seems to happen to me easily. Merino alone doesn't bother me, even several layers. But add a layer of silk, and I could power a toaster (or fry my laptop :eek:) with my index finger.
No, I never thought of that, don't think so.
Or how about getting out of the car while wearing wool? That's always good for a ZAP when you touch the door!Quote:
Originally Posted by OakLeaf
I have a couple of wool/silk blend sweaters too, and I haven't noticed that they are extra static prone. They are blends not layers, so I don't think that they get the opportunity to rub together so much and create static. They are incredibly soft.Quote:
Originally Posted by OakLeaf