What Types of Wool Are There? A Guide to Wool Varieties

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.

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1. Sheep Wool (Merino, etc.)

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.

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2. Alpaca 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.

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3. Mohair (Angora Goat)

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.

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4. Cashmere

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.

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5. Angora Rabbit

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.�?

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6. Yak Wool

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.

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7. Other Wool Types

• Raccoon dog wool—often blended with rabbit and wool in “mink velvet”–style fabrics
• Camel wool—warm and soft; used in blends and specialty textiles

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Wool Types at a Glance

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

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Final Thoughts

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the softest wool?

Cashmere and high-grade merino are among the softest. Alpaca and angora rabbit are also very soft.

Why does mohair not pill?

Mohair has flat, smooth scales that overlap less than sheep wool, so fibers are less likely to tangle and pill.

Can you spin pure angora rabbit?

Pure angora is difficult to spin alone due to smooth, low-cohesion fibers. It is usually blended with wool or other fibers.

Which country produces the most wool?

Australia is a major producer, especially of merino. New Zealand, China, and South Africa also produce significant amounts.

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This article is part of our wool knowledge series, offering practical insights into wool types, characteristics, and selection for textile projects.