"...I must look like some kind of psycho when I come off the hill, throw off my cap, and start scratching my head like a deranged madman!"

Two things to remember about wool.

1. Never buy a product unless it is clearly labeled "Virgin Wool". This is new wool, fresh from the sheep, it is NOT an indication of what the sheep are doing at night. All other wool is reused wool; the fibers have been cut and all those cut ends are what makes you itch. True wool allergies are rare; most people who think they are allergic are wearing "old" wool or incorrectly washed wool.

2. Take care of your wool by washing it correctly. Wool is hair, so treat it like hair. Wash your woolens in cool or tepid water with a decent shampoo. Soak and squeeze, don't rub or scrub. Rinse with clear water, and preferably with a decent hair conditioner. I use Finesse shampoo and conditioner for both my hair and my woolens, but a similar type is fine. Since wool is hair, it doesn't absorb water, and it quick to dry. Air-drying is best, but I dry my wool blankets in the dryer on Low, for only 10 minutes or so (queen size). If they get rolled up into a ball and the center is still damp, fluff it out and add 5 minutes of drying time.

3. If you have some nice, soft, virgin wool, and want to make it hard and itchy to give it as a gift to someone you hate, be sure to wash it in hot water with a harsh laundry detergent, then dry it in a hot dryer for 40 minutes. Wear gloves when you take it out to gift-wrap it.

Sue