WoolWeenies Club

[Eden]

very interesting Sadie Kate - thanks!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

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? I used to think it was just a marketing term designed to imply special/professional sports usage. Is there an official definition?

[SadieKate]

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.

[SadieKate]

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.

[Biciclista]

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?

[GLC1968]

why do they make them LONGER than the original?

Yeah, no kidding! My original ones are too long as it is!

[SadieKate]

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.

[GLC1968]

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.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

So....our heads are shrinking and buffs are getting bigger....

[SadieKate]

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.

[PamNY]

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

[MommyBird]

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!

[MommyBird]

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.

[Shara]

I have not read all 165 pages of this awesome thread ! 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!?

[staceysue]

I have not read all 165 pages of this awesome thread ! 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!

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 . . . .