Merino Lambswool The merino breed of sheep originated in Spain and the wool is noted for its fineness and whiteness. It was confined to Spain until the late 1700s when merino sheep were exported to, and bred in, many other countries. Well known types of merino are: Australian, Rambouillet, Vermount, South African, Saxony. The word merino is now almost synonymous with fine wool, the wool being finer 25 microns."
From Textile Terms and Definitions, Tenth Edition, Manchester 1995, p. 208 The merino fibre is the finest fibre in the world. It is renowned for its natural elasticity, lustre, resilience, density, strength, warmth and softness. Because of those features it is the perfect fibre for our ultrasoft merino products. Independent research undertaken by the Hohenstein Institute to assess thermophysiological comfort properties found that people using synthetic fibre blankets experienced undesirably higher body temperatures and irregular heartbeats, resulting in less comfortable and restful sleep compared to woollen blankets. |
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CashmereCashmere is the fibre from the downy undercoat of the Asiatic goat (Carpa hircus laniger) with a mean diameter of 18.5 microns or less. The goats grow this fibre as a protection against the winter in much the same way as geese and ducks produce down. More than 3000 tones of Cashmere is produced worldwide every year, the majority coming from Mongolia, China and the Himalayan regions with smaller amounts from Australia, Afghanistan, Iran, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. The specialty animal hair fibres are collected during moulting season when the animals naturally shed their hairs. Goats moult during spring. In China and Mongolia, the down is removed by hand with a coarse comb. The animals are shorn in Iran, Afghanistan, New Zealand and Australia.
The downy fibre is renowned for its silkiness, luxury and softness. It is extremely warm to protect goats from cold mountain temperatures. The fibres are highly adaptable and are easily constructed into fine or thick yarns, and light to heavy-weight fabrics. The fibre is appropriate for all climates and a high moisture content allows insulation properties to change with the relative humidity in the atmosphere. For its high-quality products Pelage uses only New Zealand Cashmere, which has fibres of 16 microns in diameter, making it softer and more desirable than similar fibres like Cashgora, another goat fibre, which has a fibre diameter of 21 microns. |
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Eco FibreThe development of an eco-fibre blend combining merino fibre and possum fur has inspired the development of a new range of fabrics unique to New Zealand. Woolyarns were responsible for the initial development and refining of the process for producing the original blending of fine Merino fibre and soft, light Possum fibre which is unique to New Zealand, into a specialised yarn, which is amazingly soft light and warm. The Possum fibre is similar in form to Cashmere in that it has no scales and in addition it is hollow, which adds lightness and superior warmth compared to other natural fibres of a similar micron. Possum fur has the softness and warmth of cashmere, is low pilling and has exceptional thermal qualities due to its hollow-fibre construction. The fur is incredibly soft, resilient and non-static. This natural fibre is not from a farmed animal and although consistently available, will inevitably show some seasonable variability. Guard hairs are not removed. All our excellent possum pelts come from the South Island in New Zealand.
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The Australian brushtailed possum (Trichosurus vulpecula - "Little Wolf") was imported from Australia in 1837 to start a fur industry, but since the animal does not have any natural predators in New Zealand, the number of possums has exploded. There are currently an estimated 80 million possums living in the country. The problem is that they eat approximately 20,000 tonnes of vegetation a day. Each possum consumes 300g of vegetation per night. They, seriously damage our native forests and take the eggs and young of native birds. Therefore, possums are not protected under New Zealand law. It is the main mammal pest in New Zealand and this is of concern for our environment and agriculture. Trapping by the public is legal and has been since 1947 but has not made any significant difference to the ever-increasing possum population.
A new possum fur trade is beginning to emerge since 2000, and with it some hope for the survival of our threatened native species. Possum fur is becoming an important new fashion product, which is advocated from all environmental groups The Royal Forest & Bird Society, The Ecologic Foundation, and Greenpeace New Zealand. And hopefully that's a way to save our forests.
A new possum fur trade is beginning to emerge since 2000, and with it some hope for the survival of our threatened native species. Possum fur is becoming an important new fashion product, which is advocated from all environmental groups The Royal Forest & Bird Society, The Ecologic Foundation, and Greenpeace New Zealand. And hopefully that's a way to save our forests.
Pure New Wool"Pure New Wool" is one of the world's most recognised textile symbols and represents your assurance of the finest quality and reliability. Only approved companies are licensed to use these marks in association with their products.
Our Pelage Pure New Wool Products have the following characteristics:
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