Why don't sheep shrink when wooly jumpers do???

Question

It just doesn't make sense to me!

Answer 1

Because their wool isn't woven together!

Answer 2

When was the last time you tumble dryed a sheep ? ..

Answer 3

I've seen fleeces that were evidently matted in parts where it would have rubbed when the sheep was wearing it.

It's easy to shrink wool which has not been knitted or woven. Shrinking is determined by fibre structure at the microscopic level.

If you could find a sheep that would allow you to give it a vigorous shampoo and massage, you could probably make its fleece shrink and mat together - in fact, to make felt.

I guess it's stating the obvious to observe that the process would be easier if the fleece weren't attached to a sheep!

Answer 4

The shrinking comes from being put in very hot water.

All the sheep I asked said they tend to avoid hot water.

Answer 5

Sheep don't shrink?!

Can you prove that to me?

Answer 6

Because a sheep's hair hasn't been spun or knitted. It's the knitted shape that shrinks, not the actual hairs.