About the Materials: Super-Geelong 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, diligent crafting process, and pertinent characteristics of all our garments, a natural distinction between our products and others emerges. Moreover, we wish to share this knowledge with those interested in the time-honored techniques and natural materials used to bring our luxury knitwear to life. Today, we turn our attention to our super-fine men’s Geelong sweaters.

What is Geelong?

Geelong refers to both a region in southern Australia and a specific type of Merino sheep. Originally undeveloped countryside, Geelong became home to Merino sheep imported from Spain in the late 18th century. The unique climate and natural resources of the area gave rise to some of the most prestigious wool-growing flocks in the world.

While technically a type of Merino wool, Geelong wool is often categorized separately to emphasize its superior softness and lightweight feel. Our Super-Geelong Lambswool comes from the first shearing of these sheep, meeting all the standards of lambswool and surpassing them in comfort. It is classified as super-fine wool, with a fiber diameter between 15–18.5 microns — comparable to fine cashmere.

Where is Geelong from?

Though named for the city of Geelong, much of today’s Super-Geelong wool comes from rural lands further west and north, where pedigree Geelong flocks continue to thrive. The quality remains unmatched thanks to consistent breeding practices and ideal grazing conditions.

How does Geelong differ from similar materials?

Geelong is distinguished by its softness, vivid color absorption, and thermal efficiency. The ultra-fine inner hairs produce a fluffier, whiter fleece, ideal for dyeing and producing soft garments. Naturally rich in lanolin, it offers a luxuriously soft touch, ideal for those seeking warm wool sweaters without the bulk.

What is the refining process for Geelong?

Like all fine wools, Geelong must be carefully processed:

• Sorting: Separates coarse guard hair from soft fleece

• Carding: Aligns the fine fibers for spinning

• Dyeing: Uses organic or inorganic dyes to enhance color

• Spinning: Produces smooth, long-lasting yarn

This gentle, traditional process maintains the fiber’s integrity and ensures our Geelong sweaters are exceptionally soft and durable.

What styles are available in Geelong?

The Lanam Shop carries one of the most extensive selections of Geelong lambswool sweaters available. Our core collection includes:

• One-ply V-neck, Crew Neck, and Vest styles

• A best-selling Cardigan in timeless colors

• A sleeveless Waistcoat for layering

• Set-in shoulders and turn-back cuffs for refined finishing touches

Explore our Geelong Collection

Pair these styles with a Viyella shirt for a thoughtful gift set.

What are the advantages of wearing Geelong?

The key advantage of Super-Geelong Lambswool is its ability to deliver maximum warmth with minimal weight. The naturally soft and insulating fibers are long-lasting and non-irritating, even for those with sensitive skin. The lanolin-rich fleece also helps preserve the wool’s softness over time.

How is The Lanam Shop’s Geelong Collection unique?

We use only fiber from original pedigree Geelong flocks, spun in England and knitted in Scotland. Our size range (40–50, with custom orders up to 60) ensures a perfect fit for most. We also offer limited-edition colors each season — so sign up for our newsletter to receive early access to pre-orders and exclusive trunk shows.

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Index of Terms:

Carding: 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.

Geelong: a port city in southern Australia where the flocks of pedigree Geelong sheep were first refined via animal husbandry methods.

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.