Monday, November 9

ragg wool

You know it when you see it, but what is "ragg wool". Webster's defines it as...

Made of or designating a sturdy yarn made up of multiple light and dark, esp. cream and gray, strands producing a flecked pattern.

Ragg is commonly employed to describe a wool/nylon blend. From my textile source Kristin Crane... wool and nylon are often blended together because both fibers can be dyed with acid dye and you'll get a solid color. As opposed to dyeing a yarn that's a blend of fibers that don't dye in the same way, so the dye will only take to one of the fibers and not the other. The two fibers share a lot of properties, so are often bedfellows.

Not sure if it's the fiber blend that's trademarked, or the yarn itself, looks like it's not the finished product. (Kind of like Crypton fabrics. Crypton is just the trademarked finishing process, but anyone weaving fabric can use Crypton technology and then market it as Crypton. They just pay royalties to Mr. and Mrs. Crypton.)


Great, learned something new. For Ragg wool the blend is usually 85% wool, 15% nylon. Minimally processed wool to leave some lanolin. The color does not have to be oatmealy, but it is classic. Not alot of info out there... anyone else?? Examples of use below.




Gloves
Slippers
Watch cap
Sweater