Hobbies And Interests
Creation
Boiled wool manufacturers put woven or knitted wool fabrics into large industrial washing machines filled with very hot water. The heat and moisture break up rough scales on the fibers in a process known as "felting," according to the Alpen Style website. Fibers intertwine and shrink in length and width as much as 40 percent. The shrinking process traps small air pockets in the fabric, giving boiled wool its warm characteristics similar to synthetic micro-fibers.
Features
Air pockets in the boiled wool give it insulating properties so that it keeps a constant temperature inside while conditions are cold or wet on its outside, according to the Alpen Style website. Boiled wool also retains the natural fats from sheep̵7;s wool so that water rolls off its surface, making it ideal for outwear in rainy and snowy climates. The heating and shrinking give boiled wool a soft texture and pliability missing from regular woven or knitted wool fabrics, making it popular for use as jackets, coats, hats and even slippers. Clothing made from boiled wool retains its shape years longer than regular wool items.
Quality
Most commercially produced boiled wool products start with high-quality worsted wool, which has already been combed to soften the fibers and Merino wool, considered among the softest of sheep̵7;s wool, according to the Marshallee Company website. Boiled wool fabrics are processed in pieces no more than two yards long to ensure even shrinkage. Boiled wool fabric can be found in heavy and medium weights.
Cost
The quality of the wool and the labor-intensive process mean boiled wool fabrics and clothing command higher prices than other wool products. Boiled wool fabrics listed on the Marshallee Company website sell for upwards of $50 per yard in 2010. Regular worsted wool fabric can be found for around $20 per yard at sewing and fabric stores.
Instructions
A home version of boiled wool can be made using a large pot on a stovetop, according to the Woolcrafting website. The process shrinks small lengths of wool fabric or over-sized wool clothing. Immerse the item to be shrunk in a pot half full of boiling water. Continue to boil and agitate the item occasionally. Using tongs or a wooden spoon, lift the wool item out of the boiling water to check size and finish. The longer it boils, the thicker the fabric becomes, according to the Woolcrafting website. When the wool item reaches the desired size and thickness, remove it from the boiling water and immerse in cold water to stop the shrinking and felting process. Home-felting shrinkage ranges between 25 percent and 35 percent, according to the Woolcrafting website. Roll the felted item in clean, dry towels and squeeze to remove excess water, then gently pull or push it into shape and lay flat to dry.
Care
Commercially manufactured boiled wool items should be cleaned sparingly and then only by professional dry cleaning. Going over them lightly with a soft brush often is sufficient to clean boiled wool jackets and coats. The Woolcrafting website recommends gently washing home-felted items in a gentle wool detergent.