What Determines The Quality Of Wool? (2024)

FAQs

What determines the quality of wool? ›

The fiber diameter of wool is the single most important factor that determines quality and price. Generally, merino wool is the highest quality wool because of its fineness which creates a very soft fiber. Simply put, the finer the wool is, the more valuable it is. Uniformity of the fiber diameter is another factor.

The basis to decide the quality of wool obtained from sheep: the thickness of fibre, its length, colour, strength and shine are the main factors.

A wool grader classifies the whole fleece according to its grade (fineness) and length. The grader looks at fineness (fiber diameter) and crimp. Crimp is the waviness of the wool fiber, and the crimp count per inch (2.5 centimeters) usually will be higher (more) in finer grades and lower (less) in coarser grades.

The quality of wool is determined by its fiber diameter, crimp, yield, color, and staple strength. Fiber diameter is the single most important wool characteristic determining quality and price. Merino wool is typically 90–115 mm (3.5–4.5 in) in length and is very fine (between 12 and 24 microns).

Fibre diameter and length are the main measurements that determine the quality and use of wool. Wool is a natural, renewable and recyclable fibre produced by Australian Merino sheep.

Average fibre diameter is the major determinant of wool value, accounting for 55–83% of variation in clean price. It is also the most important trait at each stage of processing.

Wool quality is evaluated through routine assessment of characteristics that include mean fibre diameter, coefficient of variation, staple characteristics, comfort factor, spinning fineness, fibre curvature and clean fleece yield.

Merino wool is the highest quality wool, sourced from a breed of sheep called Merino. These sheep produce finer wool than other breeds, which means that the vast majority of Australian wool is suited to the manufacturing of the world's highest quality apparel and high-end fashion garments.

The fleece quality traits like average fibre diameter, spinning fineness, staple length, staple strength, fibre curvature/crimp and clean fleece yield are some of the parameters used to distinguish the wool quality and for differentiating the grade [14].

What is a good quality of wool obtained from? ›

Good quality wool is obtained from sheep having more under hair than coarse hair. The under hair is softer and finer enabling a soft yarn to be spun. This is preferable for fabrics used for making clothing. Coarser hair is preferred for making regular carpets as it is rough.

Parameters of judging wool quality :-

Fineness/Grade : In general, grade refers to the average diameter or thickness of the fibers. Three systems of wool grading are commonly used : the American or Blood system; the English or Spinning Count system; and the Micron system.

Many factors determine the quality (and value) of wool. These include fiber diameter, crimp, yield, color, purity, and staple length and strength. Fiber diameter, also called fineness, is the actual measurement of the thickness of the wool fiber.

Three systems that describe wool grades in the United States are blood, numerical count and micron. The blood system divides all wool, from finest to coarsest, into six market grades: fine 1/2 blood, 3/8s blood, 1/4 blood, low 1/4 blood, common and braid.

Raw wool is graded based on this thickness – the finer the fibre, the higher the grade. Grades range from around 70 to 200, and anything above 100 is notably fine and smooth. Seriously high grades pushing the super 160s mark are ultra luxurious – but also much more rare with high price tags to match.

Merino wool comes from Merino sheep, mostly from the mountainous regions of Australia and New Zealand. It's the finest and softest sheep wool with a superior shine, and definitely the most luxurious! It's unsurprisingly a very popular material for luxury bedding and clothing brands.