Wool Sensitivity and Warmth

“I can’t wear wool next to my skin. It’s too itchy! I want to keep my head warm on freezing winter days. What can I do?”

A microscope gives us some clues. If you look at sheep wool under a microscope, you can see the fibres have a scaled surface. Sheep also secrete lanolin through their sebaceous glands. Lanolin is a natural oil, an allergen that can irritate the skin of sensitive people. The degree of itch is related to the amount of scaliness and lanolin. Also, the thicker the fibre, the more likely it is to itch. 

Non-itch natural fibre options include bamboo, silk, cotton, and alpaca. The warmest of these is hypoallergenic alpaca whose fibres have a smooth surface and lack lanolin. Not itch-free, but less itchy with fine smooth fibres, are cashmere, merino, and blends like cotton wool and tencel wool.

Acrylic and synthetic yarns can feel soft and comfortable but are not that warm. Again, looking through the microscope, sheep’s wool fibres have kinks and bends that trap heat. Alpaca fibres are hollow so retain even more heat.

The ideal insulation is not too chilling or overheating. Here are some other ideas to moderate your body temperature. Cover or uncover your ears. Choose a hat with a folded brim for another layer of warmth. Wrap your neck with a knit scarf. And for those extra cold days, throw your jacket hood over your hat (no pompom as it gets in the way).