It's wole!

It is my way to develop intense enthusiasms for things that are essentially the opposite of anything that might ever become a trend. These objects of my devotion are too basic, too non-brandable, too deeply un-chic, and too mundane in every way to be the next big thing -- unless you're me.

Let me give you a few examples from my past, to illustrate. Have you heard the good news about

• Prunes?
• Dried beans? (Though, weirdly, these kind of are actually trendy.)
• Fizzy water?
• Epsom salt? (It makes every bath THE BEST)
• Baths in general, for that matter?

These days my little heart is on fire for wool. I love wool. It's a magical wonder fiber. It is!

Everyone already knows about SmartWool socks, ho hum, old news. Here are my far more thrilling wool picks for 2010:

SmartWool gloves.

I wore these suckers all winter long. They are, note, the thinnest option available. Even so, my hands were warmer every single day than they were last year, when I wore thinsulate-lined leather.

Yet they also decline to make my hands all sweaty if I wear them on a merely temperate rainy day in spring! Advantage: wool.

Not-shearling wool blanket.

I've enthused about this one already, but it is still great. One out of one infants agrees.

If I were buying again, and I might just be, because two blankets are better than one, I might try this cheaper and more washable option.

Felted slippers.

Are they not slim and charming? They are, and they mean I can wear cozy slippers around the house without feeling like Bigfoot. 

If you are crafty, you can buy the pattern and make them yourself. If you are lazy like me, you can have them made for you (or at least you could, I'm not sure what the current state of affairs is over there). Everyone wins!

Breastfeeding pads.

These are the best ever. They are the wool thing I am most hyper derangedly super eager to proselytize about, because NO, I know you don't want to hear about breastfeeding pads, but, boy, on the off chance that you do want to hear about them, these are really really the ones you want to hear about.

The untreated wool is full of lovely lanolin, the better to soothe you with. It's breathable and soft and absorbent and shockingly unscritchy. It doesn't get clammy and gross when wet, unlike some other fibers I could name. It draws moisture into its interior, away from both your skin and the air, so you feel dry and comfortable whether the ambient temperature is hot or cold.

(Did you know? If cotton gets wet while you're wearing it, it will make you colder than you would be if you were stark naked. This feature can be handy when you are sweltering. But it is not nice in a breastfeeding pad.)

In conclusion, wool is fantastic and lovely and the reason my tits are happy, and who doesn't like happy tits? Hitler.

"Hitler probably did like happy tits," Steve objects.

"No, I'm sure he liked dour Germanic tits."

Perhaps this explains part of the rather pathetic life story of Unity Mitford. How different and less Fascist her life might have been had she known the good news about Epsom salt baths and wool! Learn from her example, dear readers.

Comments

[jessamyn]

I feel this way about beets.

[heebie-geebie]

So what is the difference between the terrible itchy wool that I hate and the soft loving wool you rave about?

[anapestic]

I wanted to work "Teutonic tits" into a comment just because I so rarely have the occasion to do so, and this seemed like an appropriate moment.

[redfox]

Jessamyn: Beets are exactly the kind of thing. I wish I had a big jar of pickled beets and eggs (I know the second half will not appeal to everyone!) in our fridge right now.

Heebie: I think the difference is a product of (a) the type of wool involved, and (b) how it's treated. A knit sweater made of tightly twisted yarn from a coarse-wooled sheep will be scritchy. Fluffy soft fine merino all infused with lanolin will not be. Felting also makes wool less scratchy, though I bet if you felted a coarse enough variety it would still feel unpleasant. Being totally untreated seems to help too -- think of a nice soft sheepskin rug.

Pesty: Every day is children's Teutonic tits day!

[Nellig]

Yet surely Unity spent most of her time snugly encased in wool tweed. Have you seen those pictures of the teenage Jessica and Debo looking like upholstered kittens?

Incidentally, thanks for extolling wool. And previously, cabbage. I find this strangely satisfying.

[Alison Cross]

Oh those felted slippers are gorgeous! My current slippers were a Christmas present (from someone who should know better) and are two giant ladybirds with smiley faces.

I'd rather have a gamine pair like yours. Must investigate the link.

Ali X

[ben]

Beets have been fashionable, after a, erm, fashion. Chioggia beets, specifically.

[finn]

I wish I had a big jar of pickled beets and eggs in our fridge right now.

I ALSO WISH I HAD THIS.

[redfox]

Also, please direct me to upholstered Mitford kitten pix!