Everything You Need to Know About WildWools

What in the heck is a WildWool?

➳ A WildWool is kind of like the "wild rags" everyone in the western world lives in, but a heck of a lot cozier. We love our wild rags as much as the next cowgirl, but sometimes you just need something warmer to protect your face and ears from the wind and cold!  WildWools are snap-on cowls sewn from real Pendleton® blankets. 

 

So what in the heck is a wild rag?

➳ A wild rag is a silk bandana worn around the neck that is not only stylish but super functional; pull it up to keep dust out of your face in the summer and pull it up in the winter to help keep your face warm. Think of WildWools as the super insulated and cozy version of a wild rag—it's a WildWool!

 

Do I have to be a cowgirl to love and wear WildWools?

➳ Heck no!  While the idea of WildWools started as a play on the wild rags that are so popular in the western world (and they are amazing to wear when saddling up in the cold), folks from all walks of life love their WildWools. Wear them to walk your dog, walk to work, run errands, go ice skating, ride quads, when hunting (for meat or amazing sheds), fishing, to stay warm on those freezing cold airplanes...ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE! They'll keep you warm and they're beautiful. If you love the idea of form AND function, then you'll love WildWools.

PS...men love them too!  WildWools have a devoted following from men who swear by them to keep them warm and comfortable while hunting, working outside, and more.  

 

I don't like things around my neck so I don't think I would like wearing a WildWool.

➳ It may sound counterintuitive, but if you don't like things around your neck, then you'll probably love wearing a WildWool. Unlike scarves and neck gators that strangle, rub, and chafe your skin, WildWools sit loosely on your shoulders, giving your chest, neck, and face plenty of breathing room.  Pop it up for maximum warmth and wind protection, or fold it over and slouch it down when you want warmth with a little more airflow. Either way WildWools don't feel tight and constricting like traditional scarves.

And WildWools are lined with luxe, velvety fleece so they feel dreamy on the inside (no itchy wool will touch your skin); the layer of wool and fleece provides unmatched wind protection and warmth for your neck, face, and ears. All without actually touching your neck, face, and ears! 

 

How do you wear a WildWool?

➳ Every WildWool can be worn two ways—what we call loose & slouchy or snug & tidy.

For a looser, slouchier fit that is perfect over a vest or light coat, start with the top snaps over your right shoulder and fasten to the bottom snaps that are on the left shoulder.

For a snugger fit that is perfect to wear under a thick coat that you want to zip up over your WildWool, just reverse how you put it on. Lay the top snaps over your left shoulder and fasten to the bottom snaps on the right. It will feel tight and bulky for a minute—adjust and straighten it by pulling the edge of the WildWool that is along the bottom your right jaw until the excess that is poking out at the bottom (and under the top snaps), lines up into a nice and tidy little "V" shape at the bottom. Keep adjusting until it feels comfy.

Slouchy or snug, if you don't want the wool to touch your skin, roll the top edge over (just a tad or all the way); or if it's windy and cold pull it all the way up to your eyes!

It's your WildWool, wear it your way!

 

Do you really cut up beautiful Pendleton® blankets to make WildWools?

➳ Yep. You can bet the first time we cut into a beautiful (not to mention pretty darn expensive) Pendleton® wool blanket it wasn't easy. It went something like this—stare at the blanket, measure the cuts, stare some more, pick up the scissors, take a few deep breaths, set down the scissors, take a break for a glass of wine, measure again, a few more deep breaths, more wine, measure again just to be sure...well, you get the picture. It wasn't easy.  But the first cut was the hardest; now that we are obsessed with WildWools we slice and dice with wild glee and abandon!  And the best part of making WildWools (besides keeping one of every single pattern) is being able to shop for, and buy, stacks and stacks of amazing Pendleton® blankets!

 

What is the difference between "napped" and "unnapped" WildWools?

➳ Pendleton® uses the term napped or unnapped to describe the look and feel of their wool blankets. It describes how the wool has been finished—once woven, the wool fibers can either be combed upright (napped), or left to lay flat (unnapped). In practical terms, a napped blanket has a fuzzier look and feels thicker, while unnapped has a smooth, tighter finish that feels thinner. So it's all the same fabric, with the same wonderful properties of wool, just finished differently. Both make beautiful WildWools!

 

How do I care for my WildWool?

➳ Wool is naturally dirt and stain repellent, so usually a light brushing with a soft bristle brush does the job keeping your WildWool looking new. 

But if you're wearing your WildWool out in the world, sometimes a full clean is needed.  The official answer from Pendleton® is their blankets are dry clean only.

However, our unofficial answer is yes, you can wash your WildWool, but you must use extra care since it is wool!

Here's how we launder our WildWools, and while we make no guarantees, we've never had an issue using this method:

Use the Hand Wash/Delicate cycle in COLD water, using no detergent and 1/2 cup of white vinegar instead. Vinegar and wool have a similar ph balance (both are acidic) so adding white vinegar is actually good for the wool. DO NOT let it spin—pull it out before the spin cycle and roll it in a towel and then lay it out to air dry, smoothing it and stretching it and reshaping the edges to keep its shape. If you really want your WildWool to look just like it did when you first put it on, take the damp towel it was rolled in and lay it on top of the WildWool and run an iron over the towel to steam out any wrinkles.  

It may seem like a process but it is actually super easy and doesn’t take long.  It just takes a little bit of care and effort.

 

The WildWools I wanted is sold out, will you get more?

➳ It just depends. Some Pendleton® blankets we use to make WildWools are limited editions or seasonal patterns and so availability is limited.  Shoot us an email at info@wild-wools.com and we'll let you know!

 

Do you do custom orders for WildWools?

➳ We are happy to do custom orders, if possible.  Just ask! 

 

I haven't received my order! What's taking so long?

➳ We make every effort to ship orders within 3 business days. Sometimes it takes just a little longer. Once shipped, most customers receive their WildWools orders in 3-5 business days. But once your order is shipped, it is out of our hands.  We typically ship USPS or UPS and will always provide a tracking number for your order; if there is a problem with the delivery we will do our best to help figure out the problem, but please understand once your order has been shipped, we are at the mercy of the shipping company!