Which Types of Wool Coats Are Not Scratchy?
Wool, for many hundreds of years, has been used to make coats, sweaters, scarves and other necessities to keep people warm. Though no one denies that wool can keep out the cold, it can be rather uncomfortable. To avoid this problem, look for the type of wool that doesn't come with a constant scratch. Does this Spark an idea?
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Boiled Wool
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Boiled wool, also known as boiled worsted wool in the United States or walk in Europe, is a warm, soft and durable wool that lacks that uncomfortable, scratchy feeling.
Advantages
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Boiled-wool jackets and coats hold their shape longer and are more lightweight and more water-resistant than regular wool garments.
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Process
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To make boiled wool, special washing machines are used. Exposed to heat and water, the wool becomes felt, compacting the fibers and shrinking the original wool by nearly 40 percent.
Cost
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Garments made of boiled wool are more expensive than those made of regular wool. The process, as well as the cost of the wool's shrinkage, factors into this price difference.
Air Chambers
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The enhanced warming qualities of boiled wool are caused by the air chambers trapped in the fabric during its shrinking. Those infinitesimal air pockets provide a buffer against wind, rain and cold.
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