WoolWeenies Club

[Triskeliongirl]

CORRECTION, it turns out the Ibex Organic Sweater we have been discussing IS made from merino wool, read about it here:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/organi...rweb421478.htm

I still can't give a report on the sweater cuz its not here yet, but it is due to arrive today, just in time for a cold front that is blowing back in tonight...... I so hope that it fits me and that I like it.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

CORRECTION, it turns out the Ibex Organic Sweater we have been discussing IS made from merino wool, read about it here:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/organi...rweb421478.htm

I still can't give a report on the sweater cuz its not here yet, but it is due to arrive today, just in time for a cold front that is blowing back in tonight...... I so hope that it fits me and that I like it.

Hmm...just says that the company is announcing a line of organic merino wool knitting yarn for knitters. I can't see exactly where it says your sweater is made from merino organic wool. I don't think all their organic wools are merino. Check the label when it arrives, it should say if it's merino. In any case you know it's good quality wool, whether merino or not. And you won't be wearing it against your skin so it might not matter whether it's merino or not.
We'll all be waiting for a full report! I bet it will look wonderful on you...

[Triskeliongirl]

Lisa, I am pretty sure it is merino wool, at the ibex website it says its made of (O-Wool™) which it defines at a different part of the website as this wool spun by that place in VT I just posted the link to where that it says is spun from organically fed australian merino sheep.

The two sweaters they state at the Ibex webiste are made from this (O-Wool™) are the puzzle sweater and the organic sweater.

http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/Product...rganic-Sweater

The puzzle sweater says under info: 100% organic merino (O-Wool™)

The organic sweater just says: O-Wool™ 100% certified organic wool

but since both say (O-Wool™) which they defined as wool spun from organically fed australian merino sheep I think its safe to conclude that it is merino.

BUT alas, I must send it back because it is much too big on me! The medium, even layered over a kate, thick cotton top, and my small shak, has oodles of room still left. To be honest, it fits me like a large would in most brands, even the shoulders hang off my shoulders, so its a very generous cut. Its a very nicely made piece, but its also quite heavy. I would call it more of a jacket than a sweater. GLC asked about the shade of charcoal, I would say while its not purply like the thistle heather, it would definitely coordinate with it, so its on the lighter end of the charcoal grey scale. It would go with all shades of grey, black, purple, etc. no problem.

For me the problem was it wasn't available in small, and given the way the Medium fits me, I would say I need even an XS in this item. Also, for where I live its much too heavy. For my trip, I can just layer my PI gavia jacket over my shak, or a fleece, if I need another layer.

So, now the question is if I want to reorder that small black shak. Do I want to, heck yes. But will I, sadly no, cuz at this point given where I live I can make due with the pieces I have. But if that strato sweater goes on sale in small...........

I think the base layers I have on order are more suitable for where I live, to layer under the things I have already on those days when more warmth is required. Even though I would love to toss my existing wardrobe and it replace it all with merino wool, I just can't afford to do that right now.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Oh well you do seem to be right about the merino question- you sure did a lot of research!

Too bad the sweater is not right for you.
But...it seems you did get a few other pieces of merino that will be quite useful and cozy, so that's ok.
Sometimes I think it's the inner layers that are the most important. If one is wearing a luxurious merino or cashmere base layer, to me it feels kind of chic to throw a favorite worn baggy thrift shop sweater over it. Of course, baggy isn't so good for biking, but it's nice around the house or going to the supermarket.

[Triskeliongirl]

Well, Lisa, you were right that the black full zip shak is a better choice than the organic sweater! I realized that I really do need a second sweater (I need something to wear while its drying....), so I re-ordered the small full zip black shak from Udans. Somehow seeing how badly the organic sweater fit made me realize what a truly nice piece the black shak is, and its even on sale. The organic sweater is more like the sweater of yesteryear, big and chunky whereas the shak is sleek and slender. I didn't know I could be so warm without bulk. I just love the shak/kate pair.

So... after dinner I went back to that store with the ibex 50% off sale and picked up the 2 small kates in green. In the beginning I thought they were too lightweight, and while I have some mid weight stuff on order, I am also realizing how perfect they are for where I live. They are dressy enough to wear without the shak when it warms up, but really add warmth when I need it. Like today, I wore my black kate and thistle heather shak to work (no coat). It started to warm up inside so I removed the shak and the kate looked nice. Then it started to cool down so I put the shak back on, and then tonite even though it was cold outside I was able to go out in the pair and be comfy both walking from my car to the store and inside the store. The kate is also a nice base under my cycling jerseys.

I tried a midweight base on with my shak in the store, and was overheating in the dressing room. I also got to compare how the 17.5 merino felt against my skin vs the 18.5, and it really is more luxorious. I'll keep the tags on the new kates until the mail order stuff arrives so I can compare everything and decide, but I wanted to grab them before they sold out. The stuff was pretty picked over this time. Most of the ibex was gone. This time the clerk that checked me out was more knowledgable, said, wow you snagged some 17.5 Ibex at an amazing price, I didn't think we had any left.

So, while it sounds like I've bought a HUGE amount of wool, so far what I am definitely keeping are 2 shaks and 2Kates. I'll probably keep the 2 new Kates, one set of mid-weight icebreaker260 (top and bottom), and a bean t-neck and/or the ibex ribbie, but I'll decide after trying everything on. I find while I can wear the shak everyday for a week without washing, I do need a fresh base daily, even trying to air them out at night. I worry the midweight bases will be overkill where I live, and on cold days I just need to layer my terry vest or PI gavia jacket over the kate/shak combo, or add a cotton sweater under. To cycle, I just need to layer my PI vagabound jacket/vest or craft rain jacket over the kate/shak. Its amazing to me, pieces that work for both cycling and work, over a wide range of temps. I can tell these are pieces I'll have for a good long time, long after those cotton sweaters are ratty and gone.

[Triskeliongirl]

I just wanted to post one more tid-bit on the organic sweater. As I packed it up to send back I did notice the label said 'hand-knit' so it really is a nice piece for someone who lives in a cold place looking for a chunky warm generously cut piece. While it didn't suit my needs, it is a very nice sweater.

Advice on bases please. I ordered a bunch of mid-weight stuff, but now I am worried it will be too warm for layering where I live. But, I like to be able to take off my outer layer and not have it be see through. My kates are OK, but how are the ibex woolies, or the icebreaker 150 or 200 tops?

[Brandy]

I'm stuck on wool as well right now. I've been riding in Woolistic Body Base base layers and a Woolistic wool jersey. Keeping me nice and cozy!