Noble Fibres: The Royalty of Wool

At The Wool Company, whether it’s our beautifully woven blankets or our stunningly soft pashmina shawls, we pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality products. In fact, quality drives everything we do.

And it all starts at the source.

Virtually all our products are made from wools known as "Noble Fibres" - a niche category of high-quality, natural fibres renowned for their luxurious properties and superior characteristics. Believe it or not, these prized fibres aren't only sourced from sheep, but also goats, alpacas, yaks and camels. Noble fibres are known for their exceptional softness, warmth, and durability, making them highly sought-after for premium and luxury goods such as those in our range.

So, what exactly are Noble Fibres, and where does their nobility come from?

As with most matters wool-related, noble fibres are deceptively complex. There are other Noble Fibres like vicuña fibres, musk oxen fibres or "qiviut", and the outlyer silk – all with their own characteristics. There are even sub-divisions of each; lambswool, kid mohair, young goat, fine cashmere, superfine cashmere, baby yak... The list goes on.

So to prevent this blog being the length of War and Peace, we'll just look at the big three: Cashmere, Mohair, and Merino.

Cashmere If You Can

Sourced from the undercoat of cashmere goats, primarily found in the Himalayan regions of Asia, cashmere offers unmatched comfort and elegance. Due to the need for better insulation, the higher the altitude means the goats grow a finer fibre that traps air between the fibres. Despite the excellent insulation, cashmere still has a lightweight feel, and when spun into noble yarn, is the ideal material for both summer and winter apparel and accessories. Known for its durability and resilience, high-quality cashmere garments will last for years with proper care. Cashmere is expensive not only because of its qualities, but also its scarcity – an average goat only produces around 250 grams of cashmere per year from its annual spring time combing.

Graded on fibre thickness (gauge), length, purity, and colour, premium cashmere undergoes meticulous sorting and processing to maintain its superior quality. We take our sourcing seriously to ensure our products are sustainable and ethical - for the sheep, goats, and manufacturers. We love cashmere - it is luxurious, comfortable, and cherished by those who appreciate its unparalleled softness and timeless appeal.

Mohair: The Diamond Fibre

Mohair, known as the "Diamond Fibre," shines for its brilliance and resilience.  Derived from the Angora goat, mohair dazzles with its lustre and vibrant colour, much like a diamond captures light. Mohair and Angora goats should not be confused with "angora fur" which is derived from angora rabbits that are combed for their fur, which is extremly fine and light.

Angora goats originated in Turkey but are now found in the USA, Australia, South Africa, China, and Europe. Known for its hardwearing softness, lustre, and warmth, mohair is often compared to cashmere, but the thicker fibres give garments a denser feel. Not containing lanolin, mohair is also hypoallergenic – making it perfect for people with sensitive skin. Moreover, it takes a dye beautifully and this, combined with the smooth, hollow structure creates its famous lustre, which is unmatched by any other animal fibre. 

Our Meadow Mohair Throw is one of many high-quality products.

Its exceptional durability ensures that garments made from mohair retain their shape and resist wrinkles. Mohair truly lives up to its moniker as a noble fibre; because of its hollow structure it warms almost instantly when placed against the skin and it naturally repels dirt and resists odours. These characteristics also make it unparalleled in versatility: it can be used to make blankets, scarves, throws, the very finest handmade teddy bears and of course the ultimate naturally odour- and blister-free walking socks. 

Merino Wool: The Soft Touch

Merino wool while very much a soft touch is also something of a thermo-regulating super-fibre. Derived from the fine fleece of Merino sheep, Merino wool stands out for its exceptional softness, warmth, and versatility. Merino sheep originated in Spain, but most are now in New Zealand, Australia, and China – in fact, Merinos make up over 50% of all Aussie sheep. Its finely crimped fibres provide luxurious comfort against the skin while offering remarkable insulation, keeping wearers warm in cold weather and cool in warm conditions.

Our Merino Shawls are beautifully stylish whilst wholly practical.

Standout features of Merino wool are a combination of its long staple length and fine gauge together with moisture management abilities – it can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture vapor from the skin and release it into the air, keeping the wearer dry and comfortable, cool in the heat and warm in the cold. This is how merino (in fact all) sheep remain comfortable in the extremes of hot and cold. 

The Royal Family of Wool

Once seen as a bit cranky, King Charles III has now been thoroughly vindicated as a far-seeing environmentalist. Passionate about the many qualities of practicality, sustainability, and longevity of Noble Fibres, the King, for years as Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall, has long served as the President of The Campaign for Wool and has championed wool.

But Noble Fibres have a lineage far longer than that of all monarchs. Developed over thousands of years of breeding, they are the technical wonders of the natural world and bring their own range of characteristics and qualities into our range of finished items. You can rest assured that all our Noble Fibres go on to create beautifully crafted, long-lasting products, which are made for everyone to use - not just for the nobility (sorry, King Charles!)