Fluffy or thin, heavy or light, all wool is different as well as all these facts.
- Wool is the coat of a sheep which is shorn off usually once a year.
- There are over 1 081.8 million wool bearing sheep in the world and all the sheep put together produce approximately 1.27 million tonnes (1.3 million tons) per year.
- Wool is transported in approximately 200 kg (440 lbs) bags, or bales.
- Pure wool can be cream, grey, brown or black in colour.
- The merino is the best sheep for wool breeding since it produces heavy, good quality, fine wool.
- Australia is the biggest producer of wool in the world, followed by New Zealand, and China.
- Wool is excellent at keeping heat in and cold out, is flame resistant and can be woven into cloth and yarn.
- Wool can absorb liquids up to 1/3 of its own weight.
- To make wool ready for retail sale, it is scoured, combed, dyed, spun, woven and finished.
- As well as clothes and rugs, wool can be used in pianos and stereo speakers.
Bibliography:
Watson, T & Watson, J 1980, Wool, Wayland Publishers, England
