Wool Gloves

Wool gloves are made from the coats of sheep that are raised to produce organic wool. These sheep are raised more naturally and have less impact on the planet than those at traditional wool farms. Because of the nature of making wool, some people worry about pesticides seeping into the skin from regular use, however, organic wool does not present this problem. It is also possible to buy organic wool yarn and make your own gloves from there. You have the option of choosing your own color, pattern, and size.

While most of these organic wool gloves sold in the United States are made of merino wool, which comes from sheep, coats from other animals also produce different types of wool, such as llamas and alpacas. People interested in animal welfare may prefer these types of fibers since these animals are not traditionally raised for food. These animals have double coats, so the wool could either be coarse or fine, depending on whether it came from the top coat or the undercoat. Usually, the coarser coat is used for non wearable items such as rugs and place mats, while the softer wool is used to make gloves and other clothing.

Perhaps the highest quality and the most desirable type of wool is cashmere. The wool comes from the Cashmere goat whose coat produces what is called a double fleece. The top layer is a coarse straight fiber that needs to withstand the elements, and the second layer is a soft undercoat of hair that provides the foundation to make cashmere wool. It must be separated from the outer coarse layer before it can be dyed and spun into yarn for knitting gloves, sweaters, scarves, and so forth.