From Cavemen to Catwalks:

Ah, wool—a fiber that’s been keeping humanity warm, stylish, and maybe a little itchy for thousands of years. If you’ve ever put on a sweater and wondered, "Who thought this was a good idea?", let me take you on a cozy journey through the history of wool. Spoiler alert: people have been using wool for much more than sweaters!

Wool: The Original Caveman Comforter

Long before humans figured out how to make fleece jackets or invent heated blankets, they had wool. Early humans, perhaps a bit envious of sheep's fluffy insulation, discovered that wool was the perfect material to survive cold winters. Sheep might not have been too happy about it, but prehistoric humans started shearing them to create clothes, blankets, and even tents.

Imagine the first caveman trying to make a wool sweater: "Grog, it's a bit scratchy, but hey, better than mammoth fur, right?" Wool’s natural insulating properties made it an essential fabric for survival, and pretty soon, everyone who was anyone in ancient history was sporting the latest in wool fashion. (Yes, that includes the ancient Egyptians, even though they preferred linen for the hotter months. Wool is just too good to pass up.)

The Woolly Renaissance

Fast forward to medieval Europe, where wool was basically the cryptocurrency of its time—people traded it, fought wars over it, and even paid their taxes in wool. Wool production became a major economic driver, especially in England, which grew so rich from wool exports that Parliament installed a ceremonial “Woolsack” for the Lord Chancellor to sit on during meetings. Talk about sitting on your investments!

In this era, the wool trade spread far and wide, and the variety of wool products expanded. People learned to felt, knit, and weave wool into intricate garments, and wool became the go-to fabric for everything from tapestries to cloaks.

Modern Wool: Not Just Your Grandma’s Yarn

Today, wool is still going strong, even though it might not be as ubiquitous as it once was (sorry, synthetic fabrics). But wool has evolved, and now there are more types than ever to keep us warm, comfy, and looking good. Let's break it down:

• Merino Wool: This superstar wool is soft, fine, and not the least bit itchy. Merino sheep, mostly raised in Australia and New Zealand, have been winning the wool popularity contest for years. It’s lightweight and breathable, which is why Merino wool is the go-to fabric for high-performance athletic wear. Who knew that wool would end up in your running gear?

• Cashmere: Technically not wool, but a fancy cousin from the goat family. Cashmere comes from goats in places like Mongolia and is prized for its incredible softness and warmth. Wearing cashmere is like being hugged by a cloud—but a very expensive cloud.

• Alpaca Wool: If you want something hypoallergenic and ultra-soft, alpaca wool is for you. Plus, alpacas look like they stepped out of a Dr. Seuss book, so really, how can you say no to wearing their fleece?

• Sheep Wool: The OG of the wool world. Traditional sheep wool is still a go-to for items like sweaters, blankets, and even insulation. While it might not be as glamorous as Merino or cashmere, it gets the job done and keeps you warm, one sheep at a time.

How Wool Gets From Sheep to Sweater

Modern wool production is a far cry from Grog's scratchy caveman creation. Today, wool is harvested through shearing—essentially giving the sheep a haircut, though there’s no "mirror and trim" involved. The wool is then cleaned, spun into yarn, and transformed into everything from cozy socks to high-end fashion.

Thanks to advances in technology, we can now produce finer and more sustainable wool. Plus, it’s eco-friendly! Wool is a renewable resource, biodegradable, and requires less energy to produce than synthetic fabrics. So next time you throw on a wool sweater, know that you're making both a stylish and sustainable choice.

Wool You Believe It?

From keeping cavemen warm in drafty caves to gracing the runways of Paris Fashion Week, wool has come a long way. And while it may have had a few scratchy moments along the way, wool remains one of the most versatile and beloved fibers in history.

So, the next time you're wrapped up in your favorite wool scarf or rocking that Merino running shirt, give a little nod to the sheep, goats, and alpacas who made it all possible. After all, they’ve been keeping us stylish for millennia, one fleece at a time.

Wooln't you know there's more!