WoolWeenies Club

[OakLeaf]

If it smells like wet wool, that's normal. It goes away when it's dry.

[PamNY]

Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

Believe me, having that big a stash of smartwool socks isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Spend a lot of time organizing your sock drawer, do you?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Originally Posted by PamNY

Spend a lot of time organizing your sock drawer, do you?

More like trying to yank back the socks that are swarming like suicidal lemmings out and over the back of the drawer into the no man's land of the inner bureau depths, desperately seeking to avoid being crushed by their sock brethren....

In fact, just this morning I had to get DH to work the weird release gizmo so I could remove my bottom bureau drawer in a fruitless attempt to locate a 'missing in action' SmartWool sleeveless base layer vest. I know it's got to be in there somewhere!.....

[Crankin]

My cycling socks (and hiking and running and ski socks) now occupy the 2 drawers in my nightstand. Mostly, the wool ones take up the space.
My dresser only has my "regular" socks.

[GLC1968]

Originally Posted by OakLeaf

If it smells like wet wool, that's normal. It goes away when it's dry.

On a related note:

When we replaced all the carpet in our last home, we opted for the expensive real wool berber for the main downstairs room figuring that it was the most visible room and worth the splurge.

When we left the house empty and moved to Oregon, we steam cleaned that carpet before we left (on a Thursday). The house remained empty and closed up until Sunday when our realtor held an open house.

The report from the open house said that most buyers were turned off by the strong 'pet' smell in the living room. I was stunned - neither of our dogs had EVER messed in that room!

When he told me that it was so bad that the carpet was still wet, I realized what the problem was. I explained that it was a wool carpet and that wet wool smells like wet dog and that it would go away once dry. He immediately went over there and cracked the windows for a few days so that it would dry. The house actually sold to the next couple to look at the place.

I was so annoyed that 1) he didn't know quality wool carpet when he saw it and 2) that he assumed that we'd leave we dog pee on the carpet when we moved out and 3) that he didn't bother telling us about the smell that same day so that we could explain (and he could tell the open house people).

Stupid non-wool-weenie.

[lph]

Heheh. This reminded me of the, uh, characteristic, uh, aroma, in the drying rooms of the mountain chalets here. Entering a small hot room filled from floor to ceiling with wet wool that has been xc skied in all day is quite a kick in the head

[pfunk12]

The smell in my very small bathroom from one wet Smartwool shirt was almost...toxic. But I'm happy to report that the shirt is dry and now there is no smell. I can't wait to wear it again.

[OakLeaf]

You will learn to love that smell.


Today I got a compliment on my "vintage" Cortina jersey, some 22-24 years old. "That's worth some money," the guy said, "people are into that retro stuff now."

Really I am amazed at how the color has held up. It's still as bright, bright red (with white and blue accents) as it was the day I bought it.

[MommyBird]

My first attempt at wool was a pair of low cut Smart Wool footies this past June. No welting or itching. Loved the feel and bought a second pair. They quickly became my favorites.

Ventured a little further up my leg with two pair of SW cycling footies in October. The skin under the higher cuff is still happy.

Purchased two pair of merino dressy crew socks on Saturday. Wore a pair to church today. Still no welts or itching.

I feel ready to test out the torso area.

[merlin]

The wooliferousness of my house is so embedded that I think I no longer notice it. I make felt, spin, knit, dye with many types of wool. I have loads of wool in my stash. I imagine I have wool fibers in my lungs.
But I want to mention that alpaca is a good choice for people who prefer an even softer, and possibly less odiferous, fiber. It is silkier and even warmer than merino wool, which I love. Alpaca is best for sox, hats, etc. as it is expensive and not as elastic as wool.
My dog, a low shedding labradoodle, smells very different. He gets Truly Stinky!

beth

[mickchick]

Sahalie has merino wool buffs, for anyone that's interested.

I think I'm going to put some Ibex on this year's Santa list. Maybe another Shak! I really wish they'd have done the full zip Shak in the purple color offered in the jersey version:

http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product...ns-shak-jersey

The cherry red color in the full zip is nice, though. I might go ahead and ask for the jersey in the purple. Be a rebel and wear it with skirts to work!

[greenbeanvw]

Icebreaker Olympia Zip Top for $49 right now on SAC. I am so very tempted.

[hoffsquared]

After browsing through this topic, I decided to keep a lookout for merino wool tops at my local thrift stores. I scored three tops on Wednesday for a total outlay of $14!

Will try one out on tomorrow's ride.

[kmehrzad]

Originally Posted by hoffsquared

After browsing through this topic, I decided to keep a lookout for merino wool tops at my local thrift stores. I scored three tops on Wednesday for a total outlay of $14!

Will try one out on tomorrow's ride.

Good for you! You're in my neck of the woods (NoVa). I've got to keep my eyes open at consignment shops, too. (BTW - who would EVER want to give up a nice wool top?????)

[kmehrzad]

Originally Posted by greenbeanvw

Icebreaker Olympia Zip Top for $49 right now on SAC. I am so very tempted.

I ordered the black top yesterday. Can't wait for it to arrive.