Sheep's Wool

• Undoubtedly, sheep's wool has a corner on the general market. There are five main breeds whose wool is used to make everything from heavy blankets to high quality undergarments. Commonly used fabrics made from sheep's wool are chenille, felt, flannel, gabardine, melton, tweed and worsted. Tweed, gabardine, flannel and chenille are all textured fabrics, while flannel, melton and worsted are smooth. Each has a particular type of garment it is suited for by thickness and texture.
  
  

Alpaca and Camel Wool

• The alpaca is a relative of the camel. There are two breeds that produce 20 different natural shades of wool between them. This type of wool is highly prized because it is extremely light and yet sturdy and warm at the same time. It has a silky texture and is used to make high end clothing as well as bed linens and drapes. Camel hair has similar properties but is even more rare and is often blended with other wools to make it more affordable. In particular, camel hair is valued for its natural warm colors.
  
  

Mohair and Cashmere

• Both these wool come from goats. Mohair wool is from Angora goats and is lightweight with a natural sheen and soft texture. It is sturdy, not crushing or matting, and has a natural varied hue that is highly prized, while also being easy to dye. Kashmir goats are legendary for their wool, which is made from their soft undercoat and brushed out rather than clipped. This makes it a rare commodity. It is extremely warm and yet light and soft, being used most often in sweaters, undergarments and scarves.
  
  

Angora Wool

• True angora wool comes from rabbits. It is two and half times warmer than sheep's wool and also has the best ability of any natural fiber to wick moisture from the body. The individual hairs are so light and soft that they are combined with other types of wool rather than made into fabric on their own. Angora wool is very expensive and adding angora to any fabric will make it both softer and warmer. It is used in luxury clothing from underwear to outerwear.