Boiled Wool Strömsö

Boiled Wool Knit – A Durable, Non-Fraying Felt Fabric for Many Crafts

Boiled wool, also known as felted wool knit, is a robust and non-fraying felted fabric perfect for a wide range of crafts. It's an eco-friendly, high-quality, and comfortable wool fabric with a slight natural stretch. This wool knit is easy to cut into your desired shape without worrying about fraying, as its edges remain neat without needing finishing.

Dense, supple, and non-fraying, it's an excellent choice for items like jackets, blazers, vests, and various accessories such as sauna hats and warm felted mittens. The felted surface gives boiled wool a beautiful, lively, and personal look that withstands use and time. Its natural warmth and durability characterize this unique and traditional wool material. The dense, felt-like structure makes it an excellent choice, especially for cold conditions.

How is Boiled Wool Made?

The manufacturing process for boiled wool is simple but requires precision and expertise. The core of the process is controlled shrinkage, which transforms ordinary woollen fabric into a dense and thick material.

The quality of the fiber and the origin (ours come from sheep) influence the softness and density of the final product.

The knitted woollen fabric is placed in water where the temperature and added substances (e.g., mild soap) are carefully controlled. The fabric is then "boiled" or washed at a high temperature, often with mechanical agitation or felting.

Heat, water, and mechanical movement cause the fibers to open up and intertwine. In this process, the outermost scales of the fibers permanently interlock, causing the fabric to shrink significantly and its structure to become denser. This shrinkage can be as much as 30-50%. The finished material is carefully dried and finished to achieve the desired shape and surface texture.

As a result of this shrinkage, the knit becomes extremely dense and felt-like. The air pockets between the fibers decrease, making the final material an excellent thermal insulator. The surface is coarser than that of merino sheep, so it is not suitable for base layers or other underwear as is. However, the structure remains soft and supple.

The dense structure is warm, wind-proof, and durable. It is also naturally water-repellent and breathable, making it an ideal material for outdoor clothing and warm accessories.

Importer: Myllymuksut Oy