What Types of Wool Are There? A Guide to Wool Varieties
Sullivans International
•3 min read
Wool comes from many animals—sheep, alpaca, cashmere goats, angora goats, rabbits, yak, and more. Each type has different characteristics: softness, warmth, luster, and pilling. This guide covers the main wool types and their typical uses in textiles.
Source: Sheep (e.g., merino from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa)
Characteristics: Good warmth, absorbency, and elasticity. Quality and price vary by breed. Merino is among the finest and softest.
Uses: Sweaters, socks, blankets, high-end textiles. Oceania produces about 40% of the world’s wool.
Source: Alpaca (South America)
Characteristics: Very soft, warm, and increasingly popular. Often more expensive than sheep wool. Long, smooth fibers.
Uses: Luxury garments, blankets, accessories. Often blended with other fibers for cost and performance.
Source: Angora goat (South Africa, Turkey, Argentina)
Characteristics: Long, silky fibers with a smooth surface and natural luster. Resists pilling and felting better than many wools. Often blended to reduce pilling in other fibers.
Uses: High-grade fabrics, sweaters, luxury textiles. The fiber has a distinctive sheen.
Source: Cashmere goat (China, Mongolia, Iran, Central Asia)
Characteristics: Very fine, soft undercoat. Luxury fiber with high warmth-to-weight ratio. Expensive due to limited supply and processing.
Uses: Sweaters, scarves, premium accessories.
Source: Angora rabbit
Characteristics: Very soft, long, warm. Smooth surface—fibers don’t cling well, so pure angora is hard to spin and can shed. Usually blended with wool or other fibers.
Uses: Blends for softness and warmth. Sometimes used in lower-quality “fake cashmere.�?
Source: Yak (Himalayan region)
Characteristics: Warm, soft, and durable. Similar to cashmere in fineness. Less common than sheep or cashmere.
Uses: Blends, luxury knitwear, cold-weather gear.
| Type | Source | Key Traits | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheep/Merino | Sheep | Warm, elastic, versatile | Sweaters, socks, blankets |
| Alpaca | Alpaca | Soft, warm, premium | Luxury garments |
| Mohair | Angora goat | Lustrous, low pilling | High-end fabrics |
| Cashmere | Cashmere goat | Fine, luxurious | Premium wear |
| Angora rabbit | Rabbit | Very soft, often blended | Blends for softness |
| Yak | Yak | Warm, durable | Blends, cold-weather |
Wool types include sheep wool (including merino), alpaca, mohair, cashmere, angora rabbit, yak, and others. Each has different softness, warmth, and uses. Choose based on project, budget, and desired feel.
Cashmere and high-grade merino are among the softest. Alpaca and angora rabbit are also very soft.
Mohair has flat, smooth scales that overlap less than sheep wool, so fibers are less likely to tangle and pill.
Pure angora is difficult to spin alone due to smooth, low-cohesion fibers. It is usually blended with wool or other fibers.
Australia is a major producer, especially of merino. New Zealand, China, and South Africa also produce significant amounts.
This article is part of our wool knowledge series, offering practical insights into wool types, characteristics, and selection for textile projects.