Where does wool come from? Unlike most modern materials, wool doesn’t start in a lab — it grows. It comes from sheep, gently shorn once a year, and it has kept people warm for thousands of years for good reason.
Wool grows on sheep — and grows back
Wool is the soft fleece that sheep grow to stay warm and dry through the seasons. Once a year, usually in spring, sheep are shorn — a haircut that keeps them comfortable as the weather warms. The fleece then grows back, which makes wool a renewable, natural fibre.
What makes wool special
- Warmth: wool traps air between its crimped fibres, holding in heat without feeling heavy.
- Breathability: it helps manage moisture, so it feels comfortable across a range of temperatures.
- Resilience: wool springs back into shape, which is why a well-made wool sweater wears so well.
- Natural odour resistance: wool tends to stay fresher for longer between washes.
From fleece to sweater
After shearing, the fleece is cleaned, sorted by softness, spun into yarn and knit into garments. Finer fleece becomes the smooth, fine-gauge knits you can wear close to the skin; sturdier yarn becomes cosier, heavier pieces.
Caring for wool knitwear
Wool likes gentle treatment: cool water, a mild wash, and drying flat to keep its shape. Stored folded with a little air, a good wool sweater can last for many winters.
At ZHILIFS we work with wool and soft wool blends to make knitwear designed to last. Discover warm, hard-wearing pieces in our wool collection.
FAQ
Where does wool come from?
Wool is shorn from sheep, usually once a year. The fleece is cleaned, combed and spun into yarn — a renewable fibre that regrows each season.
Is shearing sheep harmful?
Shearing is like a haircut and keeps sheep comfortable; responsible growers do it carefully at the right time of year.