Pure wool is wonderful but expensive and sometimes fragile. Blending wool with a synthetic or regenerated fiber is how mills make it affordable, stronger and easier to care for.
Common wool blends
- Wool / nylon: the sock and hosiery standard. Nylon adds abrasion resistance exactly where wool wears out.
- Wool / acrylic: lower cost, lighter, easy-care; popular for knitwear and blankets.
- Wool / viscose: softer hand and better drape for fashion knits.
- Wool / polyester: cost-effective warmth for outerwear and uniforms.
What blending changes
- Warmth: kept by the wool share.
- Pilling: reduced by nylon/acrylic.
- Price: lowered as synthetic share rises.
Sourcing tip
Always ask for the wool micron and the blend ratio, not just "wool blend". A 30% wool / 70% acrylic feels very different from 70/30. Tell us your target market and budget and we will match a ratio.