Christmas holidays are ahead. And often men hear a rather stupid question - “What should I give you?” If you want to confuse someone, answer “Give me a simple socks, but if possible from vicuna wool...” Take the floor and wait for the gift.
Socks for the price of a used car.
Yes, socks made from the wool of the rare vicuña animal cost $1,200, which is about 40,000 of our rubles. And for that kind of money in our country you can buy a used car.
But seriously, it is unlikely that you will be given such socks. And this is not at all because of the price. The fact is that the vicuña is a rather rare animal and lives in the wild; it has not yet been possible to domesticate these animals. As in ancient times, wool is collected from wild animals. Hence the rarity of this wool. Hosiery company FALKE from Germany is offering a limited edition of socks for sale at a price of $1,200. Only 10 pairs of these rare socks were produced.
The most expensive and rare wool in the world.
Vicunas live in the highlands of Chile, the Andes of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Argentina, at altitudes from 3500 to 5500 meters. These animals usually live in herds. Appearance Vicunas resemble guanacos (Lama guanicoe). Even in ancient times, people knew about the rarity and value of this type of wool. It is known that the Incas herded vicuñas into large herds to collect valuable wool. This wool was used to make expensive clothing for rich people and nobility. At that time, people appreciated what nature gave them, and animals were released into natural conditions after collecting wool. But the Spaniards, who conquered these territories, did not continue this tradition. Almost the entire population of these rare animals was destroyed. These animals were simply killed for their fur. During the time of the Incas, the population of these animals is said to have numbered one and a half million individuals, and in 1965 there were only 6 thousand left. After measures were introduced to protect the vicuña population, their numbers increased and currently amount to approximately 200 thousand individuals.
I repeat that these animals were never domesticated. Wool, as before, is collected from wild animals. Actually, because of the problems with collecting wool, the price is so high. In addition, one animal can be cut once every 2 years. 400–500 grams of this rare wool are collected from each animal. Vicuna wool is very light and durable and retains heat very well. But dyeing and any chemical influences lead to the loss of all the rare properties and qualities of this wool. Therefore, the color of products made from vicuña wool is the same – golden brown. The price for 1 kilogram of processed vicuña wool reaches $1000, and one meter of fabric containing 300 grams. This wool costs about $3,000. A vicuna wool coat, for example, costs about $20,000.
Because of such a high price, only famous fashion designers and brand manufacturers undertake the production of things from this material.
The most luxurious yarnA very special pleasure is knitting from luxurious and expensive yarn. Here are the types of the most expensive and luxurious yarn in the world!
10th place. YAK Price per 100 g. - 800 rubles (all prices indicated were three years ago, now more expensive)
The yak is a bull from Central Asia, domesticated thousands of years ago.
Yak wool is imported primarily from Tibet, where it is hand-combed by local farmers. The fibers are short (approx. 2.5 cm); in its natural form, yak wool is dark brown, but it is also sold dyed. It's a pleasure to knit from, it's very soft and warm.
Since ancient times, yak down has been perceived as synonymous with warmth, care, and softness. Due to its high spinning properties, wool yarn has become widespread. Wool yarn is similar in structure to human hair, therefore it is very comfortable when in contact with the skin.
Among the general properties of wool, it is necessary to note the unique ability to retain heat, leveling the difference between body temperature and air temperature, hygroscopicity, softness and fit. The wool has good stretch and is resistant to creasing. Wool yarn retains heat better than vegetable yarn, and also gets wet much more slowly in a humid environment.
9th place. SILK. Price for 100 g: 920 rub.
Silk is a shimmering material that has been worn by rulers for thousands of years. Silk yarn is easy to dye and is available in many shades. It is better to knit it on wooden knitting needles, because... This yarn doesn't slip very well on them.
There are numerous types of silk. The highest quality is spun silk; the worst quality is buret silk, produced from waste from cocoon-winding production. Unfortunately, yarn manufacturers do not indicate how the silk was produced.
8th place. CAMEL Price for 100 gr. - 1040 rub.
Unfortunately, the yarn for hand knitting Made from camel wool is sold very rarely, which is a pity, because it is warm, soft, and knits well. It has a smooth structure and is very elastic, making it especially suitable for knitting patterns.
Camel wool is not cut or combed; shreds simply fall out in the spring and are then collected. Only a delicate, wavy undercoat is used. Camel wool cannot be dyed.
7th place. ANGORA Price per 100 gr.: 2100 rub.
100% angora knits like a cloud and is just as pleasant to wear. It is incredibly soft, fluffy and light. It is better not to knit intricate patterns from angora, they are almost invisible, but the stockinette stitch or openwork pattern knitted on thick knitting needles.
Keeping Angora rabbits is labor-intensive and also requires great professional knowledge. Even a minor mistake can result in the loss of productive adult animals. To restore losses and compensate for losses, it is necessary to raise animals of more than one year of age. Collecting down is a very delicate and specific operation, and careless sorting irreversibly reduces the quality of down.
First of all, not all climatic conditions are suitable for the production of Angora wool: excessively high temperatures and intense lighting are very bad elements. In cold countries, or in countries with cold winters, The best decision is to use buildings that protect animals from harsh winters.
However, animals require special care immediately after collecting fluff. Feeding requirements for Angora rabbits are important: a poor, unbalanced diet will always mean qualitatively and quantitatively poor down production.
6th place. ALPACA SURI (Inca Gold) Price per 100 g: 2240 rub.
The alpaca belongs to the camelid family and lives in the South American Andes. There are two types: alpaca huacayo and alpaca suri; from suri they produce more delicate and expensive yarn. Thanks to its special structure, alpaca wool adapts to body temperature. Baby alpaca yarn is especially delicate and soft. But for people with very sensitive skin This yarn is not very suitable due to the fine stray hairs.
Increasingly, these animals are bred in Europe. because they not only have excellent fur, but also a good-natured disposition, and therefore, like dolphins, they even serve for therapeutic purposes.
5th place. CASHMERE Price per 100 g: 2400 rub.
Cashmere is perhaps the most famous luxury yarn. There are about 20 breeds of goats originating from Central Asia, which are united under the term “Kashmiri goat”. These days they are bred all over the world, but the best quality still comes from the highlands.
Cashmere goats have a particularly long and fine undercoat: the diameter of the hairs is only a third of the diameter of a fine human hair. The wool is combed or plucked by hand, and in some countries Kashmir goats are also shaved to reduce the cost of production. The main producer of cashmere is China.
Knitting with cashmere is a true pleasure. It is smooth but non-slip, stretchy and ideal for braided and embossed designs. Good yarn cashmere almost does not form pills. A special luxury for feet is socks made from yarn that contains cashmere.
Today cashmere is at its peak again. He is chosen by the top officials of the state and Hollywood stars, world-famous designers and show business icons. Italian President Berlusconi loves to wear cashmere from Brunello Cucinelli. Peter Brosnan, the famous agent 007, on the contrary, prefers Ballantyne cashmere jumpers. And Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna and Angelina Jolie collect pashminas of different brands, give them affectionate nicknames and wear them not only to parties, but also to high awards.
Is it worth knitting from cashmere? After all, it is insanely expensive! For those who are still concerned about this question, I will answer: “It’s not worth it! Cashmere is dangerous. It causes an “addictive effect”. Once you try it, you may lose interest in other yarns forever!”
4th place. BISON Price per 100 g: 5600 rub.
The undercoat of the North American bison produces an unusually soft and warm yarn in northern brown tones. It is especially good for allergy sufferers, because... does not cause skin irritation. Another advantage is that this yarn does not form pills at all. Nothing happens to it even when washed in washing machine, and it’s precisely because of this that she becomes especially fluffy. Ideal for knitting delicate lace shawls and scarves.
3rd place. KIVYUT Price per 100 g: 9400 rub.
Qivyut is the undercoat of the musk ox (musk ox), which lives in the cold climate of the Arctic tundra. The Eskimo word "kiviut" means "undercoat". Qivut is one of the finest undercoats of mammals. The fibers of musk ox wool are empty inside, making it very light and eight times warmer than sheep's wool. Even with high temperatures It doesn't shrink after washing.
Musk bulls are not cut; the undercoat is combed out by hand, which is possible only once a year in early spring. An adult weighing 400 kg produces only 2-3 kg of qivyut. The commercially available yarn is produced in Alaska, where it is sourced and processed in collaboration with the Eskimos.
2nd place. GUANACO Price per 100 g: 20,600 rub.
The guanaco belongs to the camelid family and lives in the South American Andes and Pampas. Their numbers declined greatly after the arrival of the Spaniards. However, hunting them is not prohibited to this day. Luckily, the yarn comes from animals that don't have to die to get it.
The very fine undercoat of the guanaco is one of the most exclusive fibers in the world and is extremely expensive and rare. The fact is that these animals are now almost exterminated. Due to its extreme rarity, 100% yarn is almost never sold.
1st place. VICUNA Price per 100 g: 30,000 rub.
The absolute leader in the world of yarn!
The vicuna, which, like the guanaco, belongs to the camelid family and lives in the South American highlands, is also called the “bearer of the golden fleece” because the wool of this animal is considered the rarest and most expensive in the world. This wool costs approx. 9,600 rubles for one ball weighing 30 grams. The high price is explained primarily by the fact that from one vicuña you get only approx. 450 gr. yarn, and then only once every three years.
Even the ancient Incas valued wonderful wool, which was given only to the most noble nobles. Later, the vicuñas were almost exterminated by the Spaniards. Vicuña yarn is very fine, soft and warm, and cannot be dyed without damaging it, so only the natural nut-colored yarn is sold.
Knitting with this yarn becomes an indescribable experience when you think about the value you are holding in your hands. Thanks to the uniform structure, the patterns knitted from it look good, and the knitted fabric turns out very smooth. It is perfect for knitting the finest, unusually light scarf with an openwork pattern.
Source - based on materials from the magazine Verena, No. 1, 2009.
The prices indicated in the article are from three years ago, now all luxury yarns are even more expensive!
The most expensive and rare wool in the world is considered to be the wool of the vicuña, an exotic animal found only in the mountains of South America. For example, socks made from her wool cost $1,200!
But even if you allocate that amount to buy socks, you are unlikely to be able to buy them. And this is not at all because of the price. The fact is that the vicuña is a rather rare animal and lives in the wild; it has not yet been possible to domesticate these animals. As in ancient times, wool is collected from wild animals. Hence the rarity of this wool. Hosiery company FALKE from Germany is offering a limited edition of socks for sale at a price of $1,200. Only 10 pairs of these rare socks were produced.
Vicunas live in the highlands of Chile, the Andes of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Argentina, at altitudes from 3500 to 5500 meters. These animals usually live in herds. In appearance, vicuñas resemble guanacos (Lama guanicoe). Even in ancient times, people knew about the rarity and value of this type of wool. It is known that the Incas herded vicuñas into large herds to collect valuable wool. This wool was used to make expensive clothing for rich people and nobility.
At that time, people appreciated what nature gave them, and animals were released into natural conditions after collecting wool. But the Spaniards, who conquered these territories, did not continue this tradition. Almost the entire population of these rare animals was destroyed. These animals were simply killed for their fur. During the time of the Incas, the population of these animals is said to have numbered one and a half million individuals, and in 1965 there were only 6 thousand left. After measures were introduced to protect the vicuña population, their numbers increased and currently amount to approximately 200 thousand individuals.
So, these animals were never domesticated. Wool, as before, is collected from wild animals. Actually, because of the problems with collecting wool, the price is so high. In addition, one animal can be cut once every 2 years. 400–500 grams of this rare wool are collected from each animal. Vicuna wool is very light and durable and retains heat very well. But dyeing and any chemical influences lead to the loss of all the rare properties and qualities of this wool. Therefore, the color of products made from vicuña wool is the same – golden brown. The price for 1 kilogram of processed vicuña wool reaches $1000, and one meter of fabric containing 300 grams. This wool costs about $3,000. A vicuna wool coat, for example, costs about $20,000.
Due to such a high cost of wool, only world-famous brand manufacturers and fashion designers are engaged in the manufacture of products from vicuña wool.
It's been two and a half years since this article was published, so I think it's time to update it with more information and some edits.
Wool is one of the most the best materials. It breathes well, retains heat, does not stain, and wrinkles slightly (although the degree of creasing depends greatly on the specific woolen fabric). In addition, clothes made of wool look better and more noble than synthetic ones (there are exceptions, but they are rare).
There are a large number of varieties of wool and woolen fabrics; each of these varieties has certain characteristics and qualities that it is advisable to know before purchasing clothing or an accessory. Let's look at all the main varieties. Let's start with the types of wool by origin, and continue with knitwear and types of woolen fabrics.
Fur of different animals
Sheep's wool - perhaps the most common. It heats well and has a low price; very durable. There are different types of sheep wool:
Lambswool- the wool of lambs obtained from their first shearing. Soft, pleasant to the touch, valued higher than the wool of adult sheep and costs a little more. Widely used by clothing and fabric manufacturers. Read more about lambswool in. (By the way, lambs’ wool is also sometimes called lamb’s wool).
Merino wool- Merino sheep wool is warm, soft and light. Cost of clothes made from merino wool more expensive than clothes from the wool of ordinary sheep, but if you have the financial opportunity, it is better to give preference to it. It feels more pleasant and looks more noble. Read more about merino wool here.
Shetland (Scotland)- rough but wear-resistant wool from the Shetland Islands (part of Scotland). Rough, quite tough, used for sweaters (especially with relief patterns type "pigtail"/"harness") and fabrics for informal jackets and coats. A good option for the winter - for those who love country style.
Cheviot- wool from Scottish Cheviot sheep. It costs expensive; It is highly durable, warm, but at the same time very hard and rough. Used for the production of fairly heavy and rough fabrics (tweeds). One of classic materials for British tweed jackets and suits.
Angora - Angora rabbit wool. Some people confuse angora with mohair. Very soft, fluffy and delicate to the touch; It is thick and lightly shiny. Durable and very comfortable; not prone to shrinkage; warm. At the same time, it is delicate: it should be cleaned only in trusted establishments and with care; It is also very advisable to avoid getting angora products wet. Many sellers pass off mohair as angora (discussed below).
Camel wool very warm and at the same time quite light and durable; elastic and practical to wear. It is usually used in combination with sheep wool in the manufacture of pullovers, coats, and sweaters. An excellent option, but quite expensive.
Vigon (vicuna, vicuna)- very thin, delicate and soft to the touch, and also warm wool of vicunas - animals from the camelid family that live in the Andes. The wool is collected by hand and is very scarce. Products made from vigon are extremely rare on sale due to their high cost - in fact, it is the most expensive wool in the world. Prices can be fantastically high. Vicuna is woven into fabrics for coats and suits, typically selling for tens of thousands of dollars.
Cashmere (Cashmere) - very light and at the same time very warm wool yarn, which is made from the wool of Himalayan goats (originally produced in the Indian state of Kashmir; now it is made not only in India, but also in China and Mongolia, as well as a number of other countries). This is an expensive, delicate and very delicate material, Not characterized by high wear resistance. Looks elegant and doesn't wrinkle. Cashmere items are not difficult to find, but the prices for good cashmere items are high; Cashmere is often mixed with regular wool and/or polyamide.
Mohair- sheared wool from Angora goats. It warms well, is durable and quite light, practically does not wrinkle. Usually has a specific shine, very noticeable. The wool of Angora goats is often supplemented with sheep wool and sometimes with the synthetic material acrylic. Mohair is produced mainly in three countries: the USA, Turkey and South Africa. Mohair fabrics are used for jackets and coats; thin mohair fabrics are used for tuxedos.
Alpaca wool. Alpacas are artiodactyl animals of the camelid family, which are bred in the highlands of the Andes. Their wool is very light (much lighter than sheep's wool), waterproof, slightly shiny and very, very warm, much warmer than sheep's wool and, as some believe, warmer than cashmere. Scarves are made from alpaca knitwear; alpaca wool fabrics are used to produce expensive suits; The lining of premium gloves can also be made from alpaca wool. Overall, alpaca is an excellent option and, although more expensive than merino wool, is cheaper than vicuna wool.
Types of wool by processing method
First of all, it is worth saying that woolen items can be made either by hand knitting (many sweaters, scarves, gloves, etc.) or from knitwear (pullovers, jumpers, etc. - “machine knitting” ), from felt and from fabric.
Products made from knitted linens (which are made from yarn in a special way) are elastic, stretchable and soft, but do not look as formal and strict as woven items (for example, jackets). Often in modern knitwear add artificial materials: acrylic, viscose, polyester.
Suits, trousers, jackets, jackets, skirts and many other items of clothing are made from fabrics. According to the method of spinning, woolen fabrics are divided into worsted and cloth; cloth ones, in turn, are thin and coarse. Technical details are probably not interesting to non-professionals. As for the so-called consumer properties, then worsted fabrics are thin and smooth and are mainly used in the production of suits; fine cloth the fabrics are already thicker and denser, they are used to make informal jackets and suits, as well as coats; rough cloth- even thicker, even stronger and rougher, usually used for making country-style coats and jackets.
Felt obtained from wool or rabbit fur. The wool is felted, crumpled, pressed, and as a result the fibers are woven into a single dense mass. Felt is used to produce informal and semi-formal hats, both men's and women's.
Varieties of wool fabrics
Boucle- dense and rough woolen fabric, from which coats, short coats, jackets, informal jackets and jackets are sewn. Quite original, but not everyone likes it. The surface is embossed, with knots and loops, as if pulled out of fabric.
Gabardine- dense, wear-resistant and durable fabric with a diagonal (twill) weave of threads, from which raincoats, jackets, short coats and coats are sewn. It can be not only woolen, but also cotton. By the way, gabardine was invented by the founder of the famous English company Burberry, Thomas Burberry. The photo below shows a gabardine coat from Burberry.
Drape- heavy, thick, dense and rough woolen fabric. Slightly “hairy” (hairy). Used to make coats. The drape retains heat well, is breathable, and is inexpensive.
Tweed- woolen fabric, which is distinguished by its unique texture and pattern. Dense and durable, rough; It can be severe, but there are also light varieties. Tweed is never completely monochromatic. It is used to make informal suits and jackets, as well as coats. There are several subtypes of tweed: Harris tweed; Donegal (Irish), Yorkshire and so on. Also available a large number of varieties of tweed according to the pattern: “”, “chicken foot”, “dog tooth”, “shepherd’s hutch” and others.
Flannel- Available in both wool and cotton. Soft and cozy, distinguished by its lightness and velvety, partly fluffy surface; Retains heat quite well. Doesn't like moisture very much and takes a long time to dry. Used for making men's suits, trousers, jackets. It was the favorite fabric of Fred Astaire and Gianni Agnelli. Read more about flannel.
Stretch wool- fabric made from wool with the addition of elastane (2-5% of the total composition); clothes made from it wrinkle less. Practical material.
Matting (Sack cloth / Sackcloth / Gunny). Fabric with a weave that forms a kind of very small embossed check. Used in particular for classic blazers. Breathes well.
Whipcord. Woolen (but often also cotton) fabric with a diagonal rib (thin diagonal raised stripes) is used for sewing informal trousers.
Barathea (Barathea). Soft fabric with a diagonal (twill) weave and a slightly embossed surface. It can be made from either wool or silk, or from a mixture of wool and silk. Used for tuxedos and formal suits. The color is usually black or very dark blue.
Fresco
. Light woolen fabric used for sewing summer jackets and suits. A bit harsh, but breathes well.
Two-strand and three-strand yarn (2-ply and 3-ply)
All other things being equal, fabrics made from double-spun wool threads (double-twisted, 2-ply, 2-fold, double-twisted) are preferable - they are more wear-resistant and more durable. Such fabrics are less likely to tear and last longer.
An important point: it is desirable that the fabric is 2x2, that is, that both the warp and weft threads are double twisted. Unfortunately, 2x1 or 1x2 fabrics are more common now.
There is also three-strand yarn (3-ply). This, however, is already too much - triple-twisted wool is harsh and not particularly comfortable to wear. Although the strength is, of course, at its best. But the price is also high.
Super wool
The number before the letter s (in the case of suiting wool fabrics) indicates the “number” of the threads: the higher it is, the finer the fibers. As a rule, this means that the fabric will be softer, silkier and more noble in appearance; but at the same time the suit will be more expensive and less and less wear-resistant (all other things being equal). The prefix super is used for thread numbers 100 and above. Super fabrics are well suited for summer suits: you won't feel hot in them.
In general, other things being equal, fabrics with low super scores are more practical and durable than fabrics with high super scores; In addition, they are cheaper, but not as silky and pleasant to the touch.
- 80s and less- may seem rough and are clearly not the softest and silkiest, but they are high-quality and durable fabrics. Suits and jackets made from them wrinkle slightly and last a long time. Great option for fall/winter/spring. 90s is also a great option.
- Super 100s- usually more tender, softer, but wrinkles more easily and is somewhat less wear-resistant (all other things being equal). The cost of suits made from this fabric, as well as from fabrics from the 80s and less, is within reason. A good option for spring/summer/autumn.
- Super 110s - Super 130s- even more pleasant to the touch, wear resistance is even slightly less, the price is slightly higher. A good option for the warm season.
- Super 150s - 180s- suits made from these fabrics are usually even softer and silkier, but they cost more and last less. They can also wrinkle a lot, although it should be noted that some manufacturers offer advanced versions of super 150s fabrics with minimal wrinkles (this also applies to lower super ratings, of course). Personally, I wouldn’t buy items made from fabrics larger than super 150s - and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. Many foreign experts share the same opinion.
- Super 200s - 250s- as a rule, very thin, although very pleasant to the touch fabrics, do not last long, are fragile, extremely delicate, and can tear or fray soon after purchase. They are expensive. They are considered the most prestigious, but only multimillionaires can afford them, given the service life of products made from such fabrics.
