WoolWeenies Club

[Grog]

Erik just got a brand new Merino wool Icebreaker shirt in his race packet but he dropped it on the bike and it has fresh grease all down one side. It is a red, IcebreakerGT 150 ultralite in case that matters.

Oh my!!! I unfortunately have no advice whatsoever, but that is one nice jersey, and the fabric is indeed ultralight.

I hope you find a solution soon.

[malkin]

Don't worry. Sheep love grease so much that they make their own (lanolin).

Just remember no heat and agitation at the same time. Either one is ok on its own, but not at the same time.

Extra emphasis: go ahead and run hot water through the wool, but do not swish it around until it is cool.

You can rub the wool energetically, but ONLY in cold water.

[Owlie]

OMG, this is tooooo funny!!!! I say this only because I am a fiber artist, and I am SURROUNDED by WOOL every single day! It's not like you ladies are talking about, though...it's raw, unprocessed wool that I dye, spin into yarn, and then do all sorts of knitterly things with. In the fiber world, we call it "wool porn"!!

Over the next couple days, I'll be getting a fleece from a sheep named "Lambchop"...I got his fleece last year, and will be getting it again this year. It's the kind of wool that you just can sit and fondle; get your fingers covered in lanolin...marrrrrvelous! Here's a little "wool porn" for you all to enjoy!

Hand-Dyed Combed Merino and Corriedale:


And here is "Lambchop" getting washed:

Ooh, pretty! *Imagines pretty socks and things*

This morning has made me decide that there needs to be more wool in my life. Now, if I could afford the stuff, it'll be awesome. While I'm sure I'll get my money's worth out of it--I can wear the stuff from around September until June both on and off the bike, and it means I might be able to turn the thermostat down a bit--it's not cheap and I'm living on a grad student budget.

Keeping my eye on sales...

On another note: I have some lovely hand-knit wool socks that I made myself. Fraternal twins, but very pretty colors. They're not wash-resistant enough for daily wear or for the bike.

[Biciclista]

Owlie, there's lots of wool for sale at second hand stores.

[Becky]

I just picked up the nicest short-sleeve sweater in luscious blackberry-colored merino wool. I found it at Marshalls for an unbelieveable $20....!

[Owlie]

Owlie, there's lots of wool for sale at second hand stores.

I need to figure out where these are in relation to me! I'm just really picky when it comes to wool, because much of it irritates the back of my neck, and in the case of hats, my forehead.

[bmccasland]

I need to figure out where these are in relation to me! I'm just really picky when it comes to wool, because much of it irritates the back of my neck, and in the case of hats, my forehead.

My sister is allergic to sheep wool, but not goat, rabbit, alpaca, or camel. In other words, the lesser expensive wools, but she can wear the expensive ones!

[Owlie]

My sister is allergic to sheep wool, but not goat, rabbit, alpaca, or camel. In other words, the lesser expensive wools, but she can wear the expensive ones!

Isn't that always how it works? I can wear merino, some alpaca and cashmere (the expensive stuff), but mohair, most non-merino wool, cheaper cashmere and angora make me itch like crazy. I have to pick the guard hairs out of alpaca!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I just pulled out my cozy wool stretchy Ibex long johns for sleeping in again....it's wool season!

[Crankin]

I just bought a (regular, not for riding) sweater that I really need to wear to something tonight. It's one of those open type sweaters, that looks like a jacket and it's nice and short. It's a combo of wool, alpaca, and nylon. I think it may have to go back. I can wear it with long sleeves, but tonight I have a 3/4 sleeve dress. It was expensive, but I love it . Just in case, I also bought a long length merino sweater that will match, but is not as flattering, though it was cheaper. Grrr.
I had a lot of issues with itchiness, hives, and my Shaks late last winter. I wore my Shak on Friday and was OK, but I could "feel" it. I am hoping this doesn't start again. I have too much invested in the wool weenies.

[Biciclista]

today was a wool day for sure. Dawn was below 60 degrees and pouring. I put on my merino long sleeved teeshirt, my merino jersey on top of that, my ibex fiti knickers, my little ibex hat and my smartwool kneesocks. I wore my showers pass raincoat for a while, but got too hot. rode the whole day rain and no rain (note I did not mention sun) in wool. I got chilled on a long stop but the rest of the ride i did just fine.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The past two mornings have been 40F when we started out walking to town for our weekend breakfasts... Breaking out the wool for sure!

[Biciclista]

wow, that's cold!!!

[Crankin]

It's 44 as I write this. Delaying any outdoor exercise until at least 9 AM.

[GLC1968]

It was 48F when we left for our run on Friday. It was my first run of the season in wool! I wore my ultra light smartwool jersey and after the first couple of chilly minutes, it was the perfect choice.

Yay for wool running season!!