About the Materials: Lambswool

The Lanam Shop is truly fortunate to have a dedicated and informed customer base. Over time, customers have asked questions, shared knowledge and experiences, and helped shape our seasonal collections with their feedback. We have found that the more we can share with our customers about the exceptional materials, remarkable craftsmanship, and pertinent characteristics of all our garments, a natural distinction between our products and others emerges. Moreover, we wish to share this knowledge with anyone merely interested in the materials and time-honored techniques used to bring to life our garments. We want to dedicate some time to our extensive selection of men’s lambswool sweaters and women’s lambswool sweaters.

What is Lambswool?

By definition, lambswool comes from the first clipping of young lambs no older than seven months of age. The classification “lambswool” is a federally protected classification, honored by many governments and trade organizations around the world. The wool industry in New Zealand, Australia, England, Scotland, and the United States takes this definition very seriously, as they are some of the largest producers of lambswool. While lambswool is a classification of a type of wool, it is not restricted to any particular variety or species of sheep; all lambs can produce lambswool, so long as the fiber is clipped prior to becoming seven-months-old. Manufacturers with dubious intentions, located in less-strict countries, often misrepresent the purity of the material and might even use inferior fiber (guard hair, not inner hairs) to manufacture poor quality imitations. While cheaper, they are not true lambswool and will not possess the desirable properties of a quality soft lambswool sweater.

Lambswool is finer in consistency and slightly shorter in length than that collected from adult sheep. Placing an exact micron count on lambswool is difficult but typically it is between 21.5–15 microns. All wool is graded on a fineness scale, which is illustrated below. Lambswool cannot exceed 55mm in length.

The finer the grade, the softer, warmer, and more desirable it is. Moreover, a finer grade will help decrease the overall weight and bulk of a garment while simultaneously increasing the thermal retention properties — ideal qualities for warm wool sweaters.

Where is Lambswool from?

Lambswool can come from any place where there are young lambs. Traditionally, lambswool comes from New Zealand and Australia, and recently there has been a decline in English and Scottish lambswool available on the market. American ranchers produce small amounts of lambswool, but it is generally not as highly esteemed as New Zealand or Scottish lambswool.

How does Lambswool differ from “similar” materials?

Unlike traditional wool, lambswool has a lower weight-to-warmth-index. While not an official metric, the warmth-to-weight-ratio helps explain how much warmth a sweater provides relative to the weight and bulk the wearer experiences. When price is added into this equation, lambswool becomes an even more attractive material. Speaking generally and without addressing the lambswool produced by each individual type of sheep, lambswool is wonderfully warm and an excellent value — just be sure it is pure and not cut with scratchier wools.

Our lambswool is collected from young lambs living in the open fields of southern Australia. We use wool from pedigree sheep, specially bred for their warmth-to-weight ratio and remarkable hand-feel. Our luxury knitwear is made using only the inner fleece — never the coarse outer guard hairs — ensuring our sweaters are always soft and never itchy.

What is the refining process for Lambswool?

Like most wools, lambswool needs to be sorted, carded, dyed, and spun. Firstly, the raw wool is carefully sorted mechanically. In this step, the thicker, coarser guard hair is separated from the soft inner hair. Secondly, the wool is carded. The raw wool will make dozens of passes through the carding machine. With each pass, the fibers separate and align. Thirdly, the wool is dyed — either organically or inorganically — and then spun. The finest dyes are derived from natural sources, but some synthetic dyes offer better fiber-binding strength and colorfastness.

What styles are available in Lambswool?

Our lambswool offerings are extensive. With seven men’s styles of lambswool sweaters in 36 colors, there is something for every taste. One of our best-sellers is the Two-Ply Lambswool V-Neck, often gifted for Christmas. We also offer a Crew Neck, Cardigan (available in classic English saddle shoulder or “American” fit), and a long-standing favorite vest. Our selection also includes lambswool sweaters from Johnstons of Elgin, made in Scotland using three-ply yarns.

Our women’s lambswool sweaters from Johnstons of Elgin include four elegant styles: a classic cardigan, versatile crew neck and V-neck sweaters, and a casual quarter-zip — each available in a refined color palette suitable for daily or business wear.

What are the advantages of wearing a Lambswool sweater?

The main advantage of lambswool is its ability to reduce bulk while retaining warmth and softness. Rich in lanolin, the fibers retain their softness over time and naturally repel moisture. As part of our commitment to quality, our sweaters are soft from day one and remain that way for years.

How is The Lanam Shop’s Lambswool Collection unique?

Our collection stands out due to our wide size range (up to size 60 via special order), exceptional color variety (over three dozen options), and customizable styling—set-in or saddle shoulders, turn-back cuffs, and more. Seasonal limited-edition shades make each year’s collection fresh and exciting. Don’t miss out — join our email list to get early access to trunk shows, pre-orders, and exclusive launches.

Index of Terms:

Card: a mechanical process that detangles wool, allowing it to be arranged in a single direction. This is helpful when the wool is spun.

Guard Hair: the thick outer layer of wool fiber. It acts as a waterproofing layer and protects the soft inner layer. Guard hair or the “outer coat” is not suitable for the crafting of quality sweaters.

Lamb: a baby sheep.

Lambswool: wool from the first clipping of a young lamb, no older than seven months of age. These fibers cannot be longer than 50mm. This is an internationally recognized classification.

Lanolin: a naturally occurring compound found in animal wool. It is especially abundant in the wool of young lambs. It helps maintain the softness of the inner coat and possesses waterproofing qualities.

Micron: or micrometer (µm) a unit of measurement within the System International (SI) equal to one-millionth of a meter or 1/25000 of an inch.

Warmth-to-heat-ratio: An unofficial, unscientific measurement that is widely used in the garment industry. It seeks to “quantify” (via relatively ranking) the heat retention properties of a sweater in comparison to the weight and bulk of a sweater. This is a factor that can be tested and determined in a lab setting, though we have not done that.