You might think that wool is a simple enough material: the warm, resilient product that we shear from sheep. However, when you start hearing terms such as Merino and encounter wool from goats and even rabbits, it can start to seem very complicated. Aran jumpers, which were designed to withstand a very particular climate, have specific requirements when it comes to their wool.
Wool in clothing
People have been using wool to make clothing for thousands of years. At a time when cotton was rare and expensive and the only other real option for clothing was leather, wool became incredibly valuable. It could stand up to wind and rain whilst retaining heat, which was vital in places with weather like Ireland’s, whilst still being relatively easy to produce and refine. Wool became an essential part of many European economies. Today, wool products such as Mens Aran cardigans continue to be highly sought-after around the world.
Specifics of Aran wool
Aran wool is generally sheep’s wool, although not usually from Irish sheep. Wool from sheep bred and living in Ireland tends towards a coarser texture, probably because of the constant exposure to the elements. Rougher wool is better suited to carpets than clothing.
When mens Aran cardigans and jumpers were first being knitted in the late 1800s, the craftspeople had no option but to rely on local sheep; today, it is possible to source wool from sheep as far away as Spain or even Chile. Merino wool, which is Spanish in origin and is known for being particularly fine, is one of the most common sources of Aran wool today. The thickness of a strand of Merino wool can be anywhere between 15 and 23 microns, with a micron representing a millionth of a millimetre.
There are many types of wool in the world from many different animals. Even switching from one breed of sheep to another can have a significant impact on the texture. Aran jumpers used to be made from the coarse wool of local sheep; today, they can be knitted from much softer and finer options such as Merino.