---
type: "fiber"
name: "Wool"
slug: "wool"
fiber_type: "protein"
fiber_origin: "natural_animal"
trade_names:
  - "Merino"
  - "Shetland"
  - "Lambswool"
url: "https://www.fabricatlas.com/fibers/wool"
updated: "2025-09-07T19:11:25.115483+00:00"
---

# Wool

Natural protein fiber from sheep fleece, known for warmth, resilience, and natural moisture management.

- **Fiber Type**: Protein
- **Origin**: Natural Animal
- **Production Method**: Shearing And Processing Of Sheep Fleece
- **Also Known As**: Sheep Wool, Virgin Wool, Pure Wool
- **Trade Names**: Merino, Shetland, Lambswool

## About Wool

Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and other mammals. Sheep wool is characterized by its natural crimp, elasticity, and excellent insulation properties.

## Key Properties

- **Density**: 1.31 g/cm³
- **Fiber Diameter**: 20 µm
- **Fiber Length**: 50 mm
- **Linear Density**: 18 denier
- **Tensile Strength**: 100 MPa
- **Elongation at Break**: 30%
- **Moisture Regain**: 13%
- **Heat Resistance**: 150 °C
- **Natural Color**: white
- **Luster**: Semi Bright

## Performance Characteristics

- **Abrasion Resistance**: Good
- **Pilling Resistance**: Fair
- **Wrinkle Resistance**: Good
- **UV Resistance**: Good
- **Chemical Resistance**: Fair
- **Moisture Absorption**: Excellent
- **Wicking**: Good
- **Breathability**: Excellent
- **Elastic Recovery**: Good
- **Dimensional Stability**: Fair
- **Dyeability**: Excellent

## Strengths

- Natural insulation
- Moisture management
- Flame resistant

## Limitations

- Can be itchy
- Requires careful washing
- Moths

## Sustainability

- **Biodegradable**: Yes
- **Recyclable**: Yes
- **Renewable Source**: Yes
- **Bio-based Content**: 100%
- **Recycled Content**: 0%
- **Certifications**: GOTS, OEKO-TEX
- **Major Producers**: Australia, New Zealand, China

## Care

- **Max Wash Temperature**: 30 °C
- **Max Ironing Temperature**: 150 °C
- **Dry Cleaning**: Safe
- **Bleach Compatibility**: No Bleach

Avoid high temperatures to prevent shrinkage.

## Common Applications

- Sweaters
- Suits
- Blankets
- Socks
- Coats

## Common Uses in Detail

### Everyday Apparel

Wool's natural warmth and resilience make it ideal for sweaters, suits, and coats. Its ability to regulate body temperature and wick moisture keeps wearers comfortable across seasons, while its elasticity helps garments retain their shape through repeated wear.

### Home Textiles

Blankets and throws crafted from wool offer exceptional insulation and durability for everyday home use. Its natural crimp traps air for cozy warmth, while inherent flame resistance and moisture-wicking properties make it a practical and safe choice for bedding and soft furnishings.

## Fabrics Made With This Fiber

- [Baize](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/baize.md)
- [Barathea](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/barathea.md)
- [Beaver Cloth](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/beaver-cloth.md)
- [Birdseye](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/birdseye.md)
- [Blanket Cloth](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/blanket-cloth.md)
- [Blanket Stripe](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/blanket-stripe.md)
- [Bouclé](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/boucle.md)
- [Cable Knit Fabric](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/cable-knit-fabric.md)
- [Cavalry Twill](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/cavalry-twill.md)
- [Cavalry Twill (suiting)](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/cavalry-twill-suiting.md)
- [Cheviot](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/cheviot.md)
- [Clan Tartan](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/clan-tartan.md)
- [Coating Melton](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/coating-melton.md)
- [Coating Tweed](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/coating-tweed.md)
- [Covert Cloth](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/covert-cloth.md)
- [Crewel Embroidered Fabric](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/crewel-embroidered-fabric.md)
- [Decor Tweed](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/decor-tweed.md)
- [Doeskin](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/doeskin.md)
- [Donegal Tweed](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/donegal-tweed.md)
- [Flannel](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/flannel.md)
- [Flannel Suiting](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/flannel-suiting.md)
- [Fresco](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/fresco.md)
- [Frieze](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/frieze.md)
- [Full Cardigan](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/full-cardigan.md)
- [Gabardine](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/gabardine.md)
- [Glen Plaid](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/glen-plaid.md)
- [Half Cardigan](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/half-cardigan.md)
- [Harris Tweed](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/harris-tweed.md)
- [Herringbone](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/herringbone.md)
- [Houndstooth](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/houndstooth.md)
- [Intarsia Knit](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/intarsia-knit.md)
- [Jersey](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/jersey.md)
- [Kersey](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/kersey.md)
- [Loden](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/loden.md)
- [Melton](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/melton.md)
- [Mohair Upholstery](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/mohair-upholstery.md)
- [Nailhead](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/nailhead.md)
- [Needle-Punched Felt](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/needle-punched-felt.md)
- [Pilot Cloth](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/pilot-cloth.md)
- [Prince of Wales Check](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/prince-of-wales-check.md)
- [Prunelle](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/prunelle.md)
- [Purl Knit](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/purl-knit.md)
- [Rainwear Gabardine](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/rainwear-gabardine.md)
- [Saxony](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/saxony.md)
- [Serge](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/serge.md)
- [Sharkskin](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/sharkskin.md)
- [Sharkskin (suiting)](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/sharkskin-suiting.md)
- [Shetland Tweed](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/shetland-tweed.md)
- [Sweater Knit](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/sweater-knit.md)
- [Tapestry](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/tapestry.md)
- [Tartan](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/tartan.md)
- [Thornproof](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/thornproof.md)
- [Tropical Suiting](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/tropical-suiting.md)
- [Twill](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/twill.md)
- [Venetian](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/venetian.md)
- [Whipcord](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/whipcord.md)
- [Windowpane](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/windowpane.md)
- [Wool Felt](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/wool-felt.md)
- [Worsted Suiting](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/worsted-suiting.md)

## Similar Fibers

- [Cashmere](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fibers/cashmere.md) — Protein
- [Merino Wool](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fibers/merino-wool.md) — Protein
- [Down](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fibers/down.md) — Protein

---
*Source: [Fabric Atlas](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fibers/wool) — HTML version of this page.*