WoolWeenies Club

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Anyway, my LL Bean merino top came today -- it's the base layer, long-sleeve, round neck in teal. It is gorgeous! ...I plan to wear it tomorrow.

Emily

Hi Emily!
I'm just curious about where the LLBean merino items come from- does the label say where it's made?

Knot- Too bad about the tax! I thought Ibex was in Vermont?- I live in NY and I don't get charged tax on my orders from them. What is up with that?
Oh, and it was explained to me on the phone that you can't use a discount coupon code on items that are already on sale- it's a bit confusing.

RTW- welcome to TE!

[sandra]

I want that Shak, AND a full zip shak

and a carrie hoodie.

[KnottedYet]

I'm doing an order from TE, an order from LL Bean, and I really can't justify an order from Ibex.

Well, unless the Roaster Boxers were on sale, then COWABUNGA! I want a couple more pair, then I'd just have to get a Shak, and would hardly notice the cost of that gorgeous gray and pink Twizel.

Oooh, just remembered I get PAID tomorrow!!!!!!! Hmmmmm

[KnottedYet]

oooh, look! Spiffy wool biking jersey, on sale, right here on TE!
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=29043

[Dianyla]

Oh you guys, I'm such an idiot!! I've been following the Shak discussion for the last few pages thinking "Gee, that sounds really cool maybe I should check that out". I just now got around to looking it up online, and...

I'm currently wearing a Shak. Right now. 1/2 zip, in Space Blue. I have so many woolly items that I can keep track of all of their names!

I absolutely love the durable feel of the tight weave. My only complaint is that it is rather heavy, so I don't ever take it backpacking. I haven't had any pilling or fuzzing, and I wear and wash it (in the washer) fairly often.

I think, after the Pico Zip T, the Shak is my favorite item. And now I know that that's what it's called.

[Triskeliongirl]

Please don't misunderstand. It was just some minor fuzzing that as Lisa explained I think is normal, which I think came from wearing it for 2 weeks straight. Its on the drying rack now, and I bet it will look as good as new when dry. If not, I'll definitely file a new report!

Oh you guys, I'm such an idiot!! I've been following the Shak discussion for the last few pages thinking "Gee, that sounds really cool maybe I should check that out". I just now got around to looking it up online, and...

I'm currently wearing a Shak. Right now. 1/2 zip, in Space Blue. I have so many woolly items that I can keep track of all of their names!

I absolutely love the durable feel of the tight weave. My only complaint is that it is rather heavy, so I don't ever take it backpacking. I haven't had any pilling or fuzzing, and I wear and wash it (in the washer) fairly often.

I think, after the Pico Zip T, the Shak is my favorite item. And now I know that that's what it's called.

[KnottedYet]

Someone needs to talk me out of buying a thistle Shak and a gray/pink Twizel. And maybe a pair of (FULL PRICE) Roaster Boxers.

I have no self control.

I get paid tomorrow.

I just got a raise, too. (65 cents an hour pays for some wool, right?)

Edit: too late, I ordered! Whooo-hoooo!

[Dianyla]

Edit: too late, I ordered! Whooo-hoooo!

Whoopsie!

[Dianyla]

Please don't misunderstand. It was just some minor fuzzing that as Lisa explained I think is normal, which I think came from wearing it for 2 weeks straight. Its on the drying rack now, and I bet it will look as good as new when dry. If not, I'll definitely file a new report!

That makes sense. Possibly it's also because yours is fairly new? Also, water hardness, detergent, and use (or lack thereof) of dryer sheets/fabric softener might all play a part.

So far the Shak has been the most durable wool item that I own. It's quite resistant to cat claws, which have unfortunately caused some minor snags in some of my other favorite items like the Collo T-neck. And I have had (minor) fluffing/pilling on my Skyline top. This sort of thing is simply unavoidable for the specific knit texture for those garments.

Dang. I was just thinking how awesome a pair of pants made out of the Shak fabric would be.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Dang. I was just thinking how awesome a pair of pants made out of the Shak fabric would be.

My heavy wool Approach tights from Ibex last year feel a lot like the shak weave, but stretchier with a bit of Spandex added I think. I think this year's equivalent is the Ibex Energy tight. Definitely not on sale right now though!

Natural materials like wood, wood, leather, etc, take on a subtle patina of use when they are worn and well loved. I tend to like this effect, and prefer my natural material items to reflect the fact that I wear them a lot. For instance, a new Brooks saddle does not look nearly as beautiful when it's brand new as it does after a couple years of riding. Same for leather shoes. When I get occasionally a brand new calfskin banjo head, I simply cannot stand its pristine stark whiteness...I immediately brush some coffee mixed with dirt on it to make it a bit more comfy and loved looking.
Of course I am not referring to obviously major defective issues like rampant pilling, irregular shrinking, or unraveling, etc...that's more a quality control issue.

Hey here is a good question for this thread....
What is your most very favorite one piece of clothing right now in your life?- the one piece you would choose to keep if you had to give up all the other clothes you own? (not including shoes here)
Boy that's a hard one! Oh....and it doesn't have to be wool.

[mimitabby]

Right now? It's the cerulean green sweater my churchmouse son bought me second hand for christmas.

very soft wool, a turtleneck.

[madscot13]

my icebreaker merino wool ( as if I had to say it) ignition zip zip. I actually practically gave up all of my other clothes and wear this everyday anyways!

[Dianyla]

My heavy wool Approach tights from Ibex last year feel a lot like the shak weave, but stretchier with a bit of Spandex added I think. I think this year's equivalent is the Ibex Energy tight. Definitely not on sale right now though!

Oh, the enablement!!! I'll have to file this mental note away for later. And pray that these show up on SteepandCheap.

Hey here is a good question for this thread....
What is your most very favorite one piece of clothing right now in your life?- the one piece you would choose to keep if you had to give up all the other clothes you own? (not including shoes here)
Boy that's a hard one!

Ooh, good question. I'm having a hard time deciding between most favorite and most irreplaceable, which are very similar but not quite the same thing. I think, right now, it would have to be my winter jacket - The North Face "Inconceivable" brand. (I always hear Fezzini in my head lisping "Incontheevable!") It's a beautiful combination of light blue and dark blue, it's fully gore-tex, it's lightly insulated, pit zips, the works. And, it fits my body shape fabulously!

[emily_in_nc]

Hi Emily!
I'm just curious about where the LLBean merino items come from- does the label say where it's made?

Hong Kong, unfortunately. But I love it, and I just couldn't afford Ibex at the moment (have to buy a $1400 sail for our boat )

I wore it today, and it was really nice! The XS fit great -- perfect in the shoulders and sleeves. I normally wear petites (tho' occasionally find them too short in the sleeves, so trying on is best), so it might be a wee bit short in the sleeves for someone taller than me (I'm just under 5'2" but with longish arms for my height, I think). The length was nice (could tuck it into low-rise pants, but it's not a tunic), the fit was easy (not skin-tight), and it didn't itch. It was also not see-thru in the teal with a suntan bra. It was definitely a good buy.

Emily

[Triskeliongirl]

Hey guys, I wanted to report that the small fuzz completely washed out of my shak after brushing with a lint brush and laundering. So, I am sure it was a combination of newness, and overuse, nothing more. She looks as smooth and beautiful as new now. I was on the phone with my sister today who lives near Boston, and she suggested wearing silk bases under my merino ones to prolong the time between washings on the wool and get a bit more warmth out of the lighter bases in a cold place. Good idea (and I actually have some that are 20+ years old that fit me too)! She also talked me into making another LLBean order, convinced me that I deserved a warm coat that was my size so I ordered a few to try on, as well as few more merino pieces after hearing Emily's rave review (thanks Em!). It didn't hurt that the reason for the phone call was arranging for her to pick up my dear daughter who caught bronchitis and walking pneumonia upon her return to the harsh boston climate after her xmass holidays here in south texas. I really don't want that happening to me. I orderd both a primaloft and a down coat. Any opinions? Primalofit is supposed to be warm without as much bulk as down, but my son think down is the way to go for Boston in winter. Remember, my body is not going to be used to the cold.

At this point I think the entire sierra/icebreaker order is going back!

I wore my ibex ribbie today, and I am definitely used to the ribs. While not as soft as the Kate, no itch or irritation, and it was oh sooooo waaarm on a very cold day in south texas.