Myth: Wool Is Itchy

There seems to be a widespread notion that wool is itchy. While it’s true that some wool is itchy, a blanket statement like “wool is itchy” is like saying “tacos are too spicy;” it’s simply inaccurate. Yes, you can find tacos that burn  so much that you don’t taste anything other than spice, but you can also find plenty of tacos that are bursting with juiciness and flavor without a hint of heat. Mmmm….. yummy. Get my point?

I’m passionate about dispelling the myth that wool is itchy. Lower quality wool is itchy. Wool in general is not.

What is your experience with wool?

In this era of fast fashion, people want inexpensive goods and manufacturers deliver with garments made of synthetic fibers. When a garment is made of wool, it’s often made with lower quality fibers, further convincing people that wool is itchy.

Worse, these garments simply don’t hold up. You know how Target sells cashmere scarves during the holiday season? I’m thrilled that they want to make a “luxury” fiber more accessible. But have you noticed how the surface pills quickly? It’s usually because the scarf was made with the cheaper, shorter cashmere fibers that were rejected during the sorting process. Sure it’s still cashmere, but is it really a wardrobe item that you will treasure for many years? Most likely ti would be worn a season or two and then donated or worse, thrown into the trash headed to a landfill.

For crafters, a lot of the wool yarn sold in big box craft stores is not premium yarn. Much of it likely comes from sheep raised for meat, not for their fine fleece. Yet this is the most accessible source of yarn in many parts of the country.

I am sad that this is many people’s only exposure to wool and that it turns them off for life. It doesn’t have to be that way.

My Mission

Here at Cozy Little Knits, I strive to create items that people will treasure, wear for many years, and smile whenever they do. Kids items are made to last and pass down to younger siblings (cousins, friends, etc) as a child outgrows it.

My own son is incredibly sensitive to the clothing he wears. Randomly placed seam across the thigh of his cozy pants? Hard pass. Tag in his pajamas? Nope. Hat made of itchy wool? Forget about it.

My experience knitting for him has led me to choose only the softest, squishiest, yummiest wool I can find for my creations. After all, if I am hand making an item for my loved one, I want it to be truly special and fully enjoyed. No doubt you are the same.