The relationship between sheep and nomads dates back to about 8,000 BC. Since then, sheep have been providing food, clothing and shelter while being protected by humans as livestock. The characteristic of sheep is, after all, its high utilization. In terms of clothing, food and shelter, “clothing” is the raw material for sweaters and cardigan jackets, “food” includes meat and milk, and “housing” is carpets and tents where nomads live. Only sheep and goats will satisfy all of the “clothing, food and shelter” in this way. Nomads also sell wool to earn a living. Therefore, sheep and goats are raised as important as their families to nomads. From such a feeling, it often appears in the pattern of Gabbeh, Kilims and Jajims. let’s review some wool’s specification together:
It is resistant to pollution
The surface of wool is covered with an oil called lanolin. Since it is covered with oil, it is highly water repellent, and even if you spill a drink or food, it will not soak in immediately and will be repelled on the surface. Therefore, if you spill something, you can wipe it off immediately to prevent it from becoming a stain. In addition, wool has excellent hygroscopicity, so it always contains water. Therefore, it is less likely to generate static electricity. Acrylic and nylon generate static electricity, so it is easy to attract dust and dirt, but wool does not need to worry about this.
excellent humidity control properties
Wool has excellent humidity control properties. Therefore, it is also used for clothes. Of course, it is also the best material for carpets.It is said that the hygroscopicity of wool is about twice that of cotton and about 40 times that of polyester, and it is out of the fiber. Due to this excellent humidity control, the wool is not damp and smooth even in the summer, so it can be used comfortably throughout the year.
Gently warms you up
Wool contains a lot of air because the fibers are crimped, which acts as a heat insulator and is warm. This curly wool contains about 60% air. Air has the property of not transmitting heat. Thanks to that, once it gets warm, it does not easily release the heat. For example, it uses underfloor heating and a hot carpet to keep you warm after cutting. It also saves energy.
It’s elasticity is not easily impaired
Since wool is curly, it is elastic, has strong resilience, and does not easily lose its shape. For example, it’s hard to get marks on the legs of the table, and if they do, they’ll come back. In the case of chemical dyes, they will settle in about 3 years, but wool carpets are fluffy forever because their elasticity is not easily impaired .
Natural air purifier
Wool is a deformed version of sheep’s skin. Wool itself has an antibacterial function because the skin is originally intended to protect bacteria and viruses. Wool also has the function of purifying dirty air, so it also has a deodorizing effect that cleans the air in the room. The New Zealand Wool Institute is also experimenting with formaldehyde on wool carpets. In the absence of a wool carpet, formaldehyde continues to stay in the air, but with a wool carpet, formaldehyde is adsorbed into the fibers in just 40 minutes, purifying the indoor air. Wool has the effect of cleaning harmful substances and odors in the air.
