Woolme News - Page 3 of 12 - Finest wool throws, alpaca throws, cashmere thows and scarves

How Does Wool Keep Us Warm?

February 28, 2018 Tags: wool warm No Comments

If, like us, all thoughts of Spring have been buried beneath a blanket of snow suddenly blown in from the East, you may want to invest in some woollies to keep you warm during the cold snap. Our range of beautiful wool throws not only look stunning, they also offer the amazing insulating properties of natural wool. We’ve written before about the inherent benefits of wool, but how exactly does it keep us warm? It’s not something that those fluffy sheep sheltering in the lea of a stone wall will be thinking about, but you can bet they are grateful for their cosy coats while blizzards and snowstorms flurry around them. So, for the curious, here’s why wool keeps you (and the sheep) warm.

Thermo-insulation

The answer lies in the crimp of the fibres. Wool is able to react to fluctuations in your body temperature due to tiny pockets of air within the fibres that circulate heat. This means that wool will keep you warm when your body is cold, and cool when it’s hot. Which is why, even though those sheep might look all huddled and sorry for themselves, they are actually completely dry and toasty beneath their fleeces.

Keratin

A naturally-occurring protein in hair and wool, keratin forms an extra barrier along the fibres of wool which also helps regulate temperatures.

Warm when wet

One of the things that makes wool so practical in outdoor wear and for bedding is the fact that even when it’s damp, it still keeps you warm. This is thanks to its high absorbency, meaning it can hold moisture for longer than other fabrics before you start to feel wet. Wool also wicks moisture away from your body, stopping cold, wet surfaces from resting against your skin. The fibres also miraculously generate heat when they are wet, creating even more warmth. Whilst woollen garments might take longer to dry than fabrics like linen or cotton, they really will keep you warmer for longer.

We can’t think of anything nicer right now than to hunker down in front of a roaring fire under a soft wool blanket with a steaming mug of coffee. Race you to the sofa.

Tips on Staying Warm on the Cold Days

February 27, 2018 Tags: staying warm, wool throws No Comments

Let’s face it – noone except polar bears loves cold weather, especially if you are not ready for it. There is nothing worse than waking up on a snowy day and realizing you have nothing go wear and your shoe rack only includes sandals. With the Beast From The East making us all feel like we are in the middle of Siberia it is hard to think about anything else than the snow and cold awaiting us outside. We have prepared some tips for you to keep yourself warm.

How to Care for Your Cashmere

February 13, 2018 Tags: cashemere throw, cashmere, Cashmere care, cashmere throws 3 Comments

One of the most prized and luxurious of textiles, cashmere is loved the world over for its softness and beautiful look. And cashmere is not just elegant. It has excellent insulating properties whilst also being lightweight, which makes it great for layering or wearing for those occasions when you want something cosy but not bulky. Timeless, classic and effortlessly chic, cashmere remains one of the most exquisite fibres for clothes and home textiles. It’s not cheap, especially if you buy high quality, well sourced cashmere rather than inferior fast-fashion products. Which means it’s even more important to know how more about cashmere care.

To keep your cashmere throws, sweaters, scarves and other garments looking and feeling their best, follow these simple guidelines:

1.Follow care instructions

Some cashmere garments will be dry clean only, but many can be successfully hand washed. Check each item’s individual care instructions before you embark on cleaning.

2.For hand washing cashmere

Large items like cashmere throws can be spot cleaned by dabbing the affected area with a wet cloth soaked in gentle detergent, and repeating with a clean wet cloth to rinse. To hand wash a smaller garment, first turn it inside out, then place in a clean tub filled with a solution of gentle wool detergent and cool water. Baby shampoo is a great alternative if you can’t get a specialist laundry detergent. Submerge the garment in the water and gently squeeze. Don’t rub as this can cause shrinkage. Soak for up to 10 minutes if necessary. Then simply rinse in clean, cool water until no more soap suds are visible.

3.Dry flat

Once your garment has been washed it is essential to dry it correctly. Firstly, lay it on a clean towel and roll up along the shortest width of the towel. Press the water out – make sure you don’t wring. Some people use a salad spinner to get rid of excess water. Once all the excess liquid has been removed, lay the item flat on a dry towel and air dry, out of direct sunlight.

4. Storing cashmere

Be patient – cashmere can take a long time to dry, but it’s important that it is completely dry before you try to store it in order to prevent damage and moths. Fold it carefully and avoid folding along prominent areas in case you create a visible line. Use tissue paper if you are storing your cashmere away for some time. Place into a sealed storage bag to keep moths out, and use cedar balls or homemade moth repellant bags to be extra safe. Store flat, rather than hanging, which can distort the shape of cashmere garments.

5.Removing pilling

A lint roller or wool comb will get rid of pilling. These nobbly bits are common with cashmere, and not necessarily only in cheaper yarns. It’s just an unfortunate characteristic of this yarn. Use combs sparingly to avoid making holes or weakening the fibres too much. If you are unlucky enough to find a hole, send your precious cashmere to be repaired as a cheaper and more sustainable alternative to replacing it.

Why Wool is Good for You

February 1, 2018 Tags: throws & blankets, throws&blankets, wool, wool and yarn, wool blanket, wool blankets, Wool care, wool shop, wool shops, wool throw, wool throws, wool throws & blankets, wool yarn, wool yarns, woolme No Comments

Wool is definitely one of the most popular natural materials known but not many of us know the actual benefits of using wool products daily. If you have not known a lot about wool get ready for some knowledge – we are about to introduce you to wool, the durable natural material.

How to Remove Stains From Wool

January 30, 2018 Tags: how to remove stains wool, wool garments, wool stains No Comments

Have you spilt something on a beloved wool garment? Need some help removing the stain from wool? We know how precious woollen clothes and throws are – they are investment pieces, designed to keep you warm and comfortable for many years. But they also require careful attention when cleaning in order to retain their shape and colour. So there’s nothing worse than discovering a nasty stain or mark on them, whether it’s a coffee spill on a wool throw or grease spots on a wool sweater.

Stain removal from wool items can be trickier than from other fabrics because stains set in quicker. You need to treat a stain as soon as you can and avoid heat of any kind until it has been removed as this can fix it into the wool, leaving a permanent mark.

Here’s how to remove the most common household stains from wool. Things like nail polish and paint will probably require specialist cleaning.

1. Treat the stain

For alcohol, coffee, food, chocolate, urine or vomit stains

First blot up any excess liquid or debris using paper towels or a clean, dry cloth. Scrape off anything you can with a rounded edged knife or spoon. Soak a linen cloth (they don’t shed lint) in a solution of half white vinegar and half wool detergent mixed with cool water. Then use this cloth to dab at the stain, working inwards and on the reverse of the garment to stop the stain spreading.

For oily stains

Again, scrape off any excess residue from the spillage. Use a cloth dipped in white spirit to gently blot the stain off, taking care not to rub and working inwards to contain the stain.

2. Soak the wool

Once you have treated the specific stain spot, soak the garment in a sink or large tub in cool water with some wool detergent. Very gently rub the stain, and then rinse until all the soap residue has washed away.

3. Rinse

Rinse the item in water mixed with a splash of white vinegar. Once this has run through, keep rinsing until all the vinegar solution has run off.

4. Dry

Smaller items like sweaters or scarves can be wrapped in a towel (linen is perfect thanks to its high absorbency) and gently twisted to remove excess water. The towel should absorb most of the moisture and will protect the wool fibres. If the item is large, like a wool throw or coat, lay in between two towels and press to soak up the water. Leave the item to air dry, making sure it is flat and out of direct sunlight.

5. Seek professional help if needed

Some stains are simply too stubborn, or too old, to be removed this way. A dry cleaner will be able to advise you on whether or not they can get the stain out, and there are stain removal products available to buy if necessary (just check these are suitable for use with wool).

Things You Did Not Know About Merino Wool

January 22, 2018 Tags: merino blanket, merino throw, merino throws, merino wool, merino wool blankets, merino wool throw, merino wool throws, throws & blankets, throws&blankets, wool, wool blanket, wool blankets, wool shop, wool shops, wool throw, wool throws, wool throws & blankets, wool yarn, wool yarns, woolme No Comments

Merino wool is considered to be one of the finest and softest types of wool available. On top of its unique qualities merino is great for all seasons and is even considered as one of the best bedding materials. Today we are presenting you some additional info about the unique type of wool – merino.

Playing with Wool: Four new crafts to learn this winter

January 19, 2018 Tags: crafting, crafting with wool, making cafes, wool blanket, wool for winter, wool throws No Comments

Now that the excitement of Christmas and New Year is over we thought it would be fun to find some winter wool crafts to keep us all busy through the long, dark evenings. There’s something rather wonderful about being quietly ensconced on the sofa, curled up under a cosy wool blanket and being creative rather than just passively watching the TV. Here are some ideas for things to do with wool that will not only keep you entertained whilst you craft, but that will make lovely new things for your home and wardrobe.

Latch-hook rug making

With the recent resurgence in all things 1970s in fashion and interior design how about embracing the trend and having a go at latch-hook rug making? Popular as a hobby since the 1930s rather than merely done out of necessity (as it had been for hundreds of years), latch-hook rug making became super fashionable in the 1970s with the introduction of cheaper acrylic yarns. It’s a brilliant way to use up and recycle old wool, whether oddments left over from other projects or unravelled wool from old sweaters.

Rugs are made by pulling strips of yarn through a base fabric (usually hessian or canvas) using a hinged hook to create a knot. You can follow a painted canvas if you want more guidance, or work on a blank background from a pattern. There are instructions on how to do latch-hook rug making here, along with lots of interesting historical information. It looks like the perfect craft to do on a rainy winter’s day.

(pic and rug design by Sarah Hartwell)

Wool felting

Another great way to recycle old woollen garments or blankets that have seen better days, wool felting will remind you of school science lessons when you magically turned something into another substance. Wool is composed of scaly fibres which, when heated and rubbed together or washed in hot soapy water, will shrink and bond together irreversibly. Think of your favourite cashmere sweater, turned to a doll-sized accessory by an accidental hot wash, or the angora socks that found their way into the tumble dryer by accident. The stiffness and matted feel comes from this binding of the fibres into wool felt.

To create felt deliberately you simply apply this same principle. You can knit something in wool and then machine wash on purpose to turn it into felt. You can ‘wet felt’ by hand, teasing and then rubbing the fibres together vigorously in soap and water. Larger scale operations produce felt by using a barbed felting needle. Once you’ve got the felt you can make endless lovely things, from purses to teddies, brooches to Christmas decorations. You’ll find some ideas and more suggestions here.

Knitting

Once you’ve learned the basic technique knitting is a fantastic craft. You can click away whilst cozied up in front of the TV, or use your commute to develop a new skill and make something for yourself. Scarves and hats are good things to try first, and then you can build up to more complex patterns once you’ve mastered the basics. It is relaxing and calming too, and a lovely way to make personal gifts for loved ones. Head over to this beautiful blog for inspiration, and check out Ravelry for ideas and patterns. There are lots of tutorials on Youtube, and your local library will have pattern books that you can borrow.

Crochet

Quicker than knitting and just as fun, crochet is a great way to make things, from cushion covers to rugs, as well as scarves and gifts. Using yarn and a crochet hook you simply learn the appropriate stitch for the project, building up to more complex patterns once you are confident with the basic stitches. This is a good place to start.

If you want to take your wool crafting out of your home and meet other creative people this is the time to take up making. There are lots of lovely-looking craft cafés springing up all across the world, where people can meet and make things as they drink coffee and talk. An international community that is growing around creativity and wanting to learn something new, and where you can find inspiration for all sorts of projects. For readers in the US this website has lots of resources about wool craft, as well as a fun podcast. Just search online for ‘craft cafés’ in your local area and you will come across places like this in Leeds, UK.

Whilst a full-size wool throw might be a bit ambitious, there’s nothing to stop you whipping up something easy and beautiful, as well as learning a new skill. The perfect way to start a new year.

Decorating Your Home for Winter

December 31, 2017 Tags: throws & blankets, throws&blankets, wool, wool blanket, wool blankets, wool coats, wool jacket, wool shop, wool throw, wool throws, wool throws & blankets, woolme No Comments

With winter being the cosiest season of them all you might find yourself desperately gazing at the electric fireplaces and wool socks at the stores. While there is no way to enjoy winter for longer you can still enjoy the cosy season in style. Here you will find some tips on decorating your home for winter to warm up both your body and soul.

sheepskin

7 Fun Ways to Celebrate the New Year

December 29, 2017 Tags: alpaca throws, Fun Ways to Celebrate the New Year, merino blanket, new year's eve, wool blankets, wool for special occasions, wool throws, wool throws and blankets No Comments

With the festive season now in full swing, it’s time to turn our attention to New Year’s Eve. You may have a traditional way of seeing in the new year, but if you are looking for some fresh ideas about how you can celebrate the coming of 2018, read on. We’ve chosen 7 fun things you could do, with something for everyone from nature-lovers and homebods to party people.

1.For a romantic New Year’s Eve à deux

If you feel exhausted by the idea of yet another busy party with fildena 100mg pills, why not stay in with your partner for the night? Share the cooking and have something unusual for dinner. Then snuggle up under a cosy blanket with a bottle of Proseco and a classic festive film, like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ or ‘When Harry Met Sally’. String up a sprig of mistletoe for a midnight kiss and the perfect romantic way to usher in another year.

2.For nature-lovers

In Japanese culture the first sunrise of a new year holds magical powers, bestowing good fortune for the coming months upon those who witness it. Steal away for the night to somewhere with an incredible view, and watch the sunrise. Take hot water bottles, a flask of soup and a drop or two of something warming, and sit under a woolly throw gazing at stars until the dawn breaks. You could choose somewhere dramatic like Stonehenge in the UK, the breathtaking Cape Inubo in Japan, mystical Ayers Rock in Australia or Bryce Canyon in Arizona. Or for something closer to home, simply head for the nearest beach, high hill or tranquil riverside.

3.For party-animals

Some people just love to gather together their favourite people and celebrate in style with food, drink and music. For a party that embraces the fun aspect of fancy dress without causing your guests costume-induced stress, you could throw a ‘Hats, Tatts and Tashes’ party. People can come in a hat (of any kind, from a flamboyant sombrero to a jaunty top hat), or wear a fake tattoo (or sporting their real ones) or choose to adorn themselves with a novelty moustache. Simple bits of dress-up like this give your guests the perfect ice-breaker without making them go to too much trouble. Though there will always be someone who comes in all three.

4.For the escapists

You might want to get away from it all and escape to a country retreat for some peace and seasonal hygge. These cottages look divine, or you could hire a larger house and go with a couple of other families for a fun weekend away. Think scenic countryside, roaring log fires, good places to eat nearby, beautiful walks and lazy mornings with the newspapers and lots of coffee.

5.For the time-poor

If you are having people over for dinner on New Year’s Eve but realise you just won’t have time to cook, several companies will deliver or prepare (and you collect) delicious dinner-party-ready meals with a homecooked vibe. Whether you choose to fess up or pretend you whipped up the feast yourself is your own business… Try Cook in the UK or Magic Kitchen in the USA.

6.For the family

If you are celebrating with the kids gather up some classic board games and spend the evening being silly together. These games are always hilarious: Articulate, Headbandz, Twister, Cranium Junior and Cluedo. Order take-away pizza for a proper treat, so everyone can join the fun without someone dashing out to stir things in the kitchen. Get some indoor sparklers for a bit of midnight countdown excitement.

7.For the morning after

If New Year’s Eve just doesn’t do it for you but you’d like to celebrate somehow, you could hold a New Year’s Day brunch instead. Invite friends round mid-morning and keep a rolling pot of coffee on the stove. Serve fresh orange juice and ready-made frozen pastries that you can warm up at the last minute, sling some sausages and bacon in a low oven and serve with scrambled eggs and toasted bagels. Go for minimum fuss and maximum chilled-outness.

Whatever you do and however you spend New Year’s Eve, we at WoolMe hope you have a very happy 2018. Wishing you a year filled with joy, good health and prosperity.

TOP 5 Christmas Presents For Rugged Men

December 18, 2017 Tags: christmas presents, throws & blankets, throws&blankets, wool, wool blankets, wool shop, wool shops, wool throw, wool throws, wool throws & blankets, wool yarn, woolme No Comments

With Christmas right around the corner and present search fever giving us a headache the least thing we would like to end up is having no present for that someone special. In order to avoid that we are here to help you out to choose a present even for those who seem too rugged to be given a present in the first place. And since we love making lists here is one that might come in handy.

His favourite cologne

While flowery perfumes are considered girly there is nothing girly about cologne. Every man enjoys smelling good and will appreciate you giving him his favourite cologne as a present. Besides, that means you like it too which is the best compliment a man can get.

A warm wool throw

Feeling warm and cosy is essential in winter and the perfect item for cuddling up in front of a fireplace is a warm wool throw. With the huge variety to choose from you are guaranteed to find the perfect one for your loved one.

Christmas Presents - Wool Slippers

Cosy slippers

While it does not seem very manly to be wearing slippers it does feel cosy and warm. A pair of cosy and maybe even funny slippers will make sure to keep our loved ones feet warm and put a smile on his face.

A grooming set

Grooming is essential for every man that looks after himself. Without it he might end up looking like a caveman and we are pretty sure no one wants that. A luxurious grooming kit will be a perfect present for every man to make him feel classy and good looking after pampering himself.

A SPA date for the two of you

A present for him does not have to be one that is only for him. Even the most rugged men enjoy spending time with their ladies and what better way to do that rather than spending a day at a SPA pampering yourselves, just the two of you.

1 2 3 4 5 … 12