| Brrrrrr … it’s cold!
Wool … has been keeping us warm for centuries. Pieces of woolen cloth have been found in remains of the ancient civilizations of Eygpt, Babylonia and Peru. It was probably the first fiber made into cloth.
Perfect for making clothes, it’s warm, absorbent and strong.
What is it, and where does it come from?
Wool is the soft, curly hair from sheep and other mammals like alpacas, llamas and goats.
The Cashmere goat of India and the alpaca from Peru have incredibly soft fleece and are prize winners when it comes to keeping you warm and dry.
Warm up with WOOL
Cut, Wash and Blow Dry
To use wool, it first must be cut or sheared from the animal.
Once it's cut, it is then washed to remove dirt and a substance called lanolin. Next the raw wool is dried and combed, or carded, to separate the fibers and get them ready for spinning.
Take a Spin
The next step is to take small amounts of the prepared wool and work it into a spinning wheel to spin it into yarn. Since the 19th century, industrial spinning factories have replaced home spinning.
On the Way to Warm
Now you can knit or weave your wool into socks, scarves or sweaters; blankets, coats or pants. All the wool we wear or use is either knitted or woven.
If you’ve got an extra pasture, consider a sheep or two and you’ll never worry about winter winds again.
Three-month-old Jack Knoll is quite a hit in this stylish V-neck wool vest, hand knitted by his loving Grandmother Sandra Martin, who tells us:
“It’s just one of the many ways wool can keep you warm.”
Where in the World are They?
1. United States: Domestic Sheep
2. Peru, Andes: Llama, Alpaca
3. Great Britain: Worsted Wool
4. Himalaya Mountains: Cashmere Goat
5. Russia, Kazakhstan: Domestic Sheep
6. India: Changra goats, Cashmere
7. Australia, New Zealand: Lambs Wool
Kids' Calendar
Jingle Bell Hayride
Sat. Dec. 2 (10am)-Enjoy a holly jolly jaunt thru Kinder Farm Park aboard the Jingle Bell Hayride, complete w/sleigh bells. Then warm up w/hot cocoa or coffee. $2. Kinder Farm Park, Millersville. rsvp: 410/222-6115.
Wreathmaking for the Birds
Sun. Dec. 3 (1pm)-Take a hike to look for familiar feathered friends. Then make a holiday wreath full of natural goodies for the winter birds to eat. Ages 7-14. $5. Kinder Farm Park, Millersville. rsvp: 410/222-6115.
Cocoa & Cookies with Frosty
Sat. Dec. 2 (11-1)-Filling in for Santa, Frosty welcomes kids ages 3-5 for treats and fun @ Southern Community Center, Lusby. $2; rsvp: 410/586-1101.
Skate with Santa
Sat. Dec. 2 (4:30-7:30pm)-Strap on skates and round the rink with good old St. Nick in Diane Herbert Dance Studio's Skate with Santa @ Calvert Roller Skating Center, Owings. $6 + skate rental: 301/855-8855.
Pets Pictured w/Santa Claws
Dec. 2 & 3 (10-5)-Bring furry, finned or feathered best friends for photos on the lap of Santa Claws. Benefits SPCA of Anne Arundel County @ PetSmart, Annapolis. $9.95 ($5 goes to SPCA): 800/4-petsmart.
Breakfast w/Santa
Dec. 2, 9 & 16-Sit down to a hearty breakfast w/Santa Claus and the cast of Talent Machine Company's Holiday Magic 2000. Following food, a spirited show. Doors open 8:30am; breakfast 9am @ Buddy's, Annapolis. rsvp: $9.95: 410/956-0512.
Santa at Salem Avery
Sun. Dec. 3 (1-3pm)-Come to a Children's Christmas Party by the Bay. Decorate the tree, eat snacks, listen to music & stories and confide in Santa @ Captain Salem Avery House Museum, Shady Side. Free: 410/867-2866.
Santa Stops at Crofton
Mon. Dec. 4-Today is Santa's day to visit Crofton, and he arrives ceremoniously by firetruck. Kids enjoy confidences and pictures with the generous elf, plus song and treats. Sponsored by Crofton Civic Assoc. 7pm @ Crofton Country Club: 410/721-2301.
Copyright 2000
Bay Weekly
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