Norway's Centuries later, these intricate wool-knit sweaters are still carefully knitted in Norway's breathtaking fjord country. It is their craftsmanship, and the harrowing stories of these brave men, that inspired the creation of L.L.Bean's Norwegian Sweater.

Made of or designating a sturdy yarn made up of multiple light and dark, esp. cream and gray, strands producing a flecked pattern. A ragg sweater.

The Fair Isle sweater, recognizable by its familiar geometric patterns in limited palettes, has long been a favorite of the royal family. The style first gained notoriety in the 1920s, when Edward VIII (who later became the Duke of Windsor) wore his in public.

Moreover, because wool fibers are relatively coarse, it is warmer and more durable than cotton. Another benefit of the coarse wool fibers is that they don't pill nearly as much as cashmere sweaters. It's important to note that while wool is coarser than cashmere, it's not always itchy.

ˈrəg. plural -s. often attributive. : a yarn formed of two strands of dyed wool and one strand of undyed wool often combined with other fibers (such as nylon)

SCOTLAND GENUINE FAIR ISLE KNITWEAR DESIGNED AND HANDCRAFTED ON FAIR ISLE, SCOTLAND - THE HOME OF FAIR ISLE KNITTING. A true Fair Isle garment made on Fair Isle will win you recognition anywhere.

: a yarn formed of two strands of dyed wool and one strand of undyed wool often combined with other fibers (such as nylon)

Ragg wool, for example, is a rough wool usually woven with a third fiber like cotton or acrylic. It's durable and relatively inexpensive, but can be itchy. You might consider it as a top layer (so it won't scratch your skin) and wear it for more rugged outdoor activities.

knitwear As well as its birdlife, Fair Isle is most famous worldwide for the knitwear that carries its name. Today, the vast majority of that knitwear is not made here and does not follow the traditional patterns of the island's craftspeople.

Wool isn't just a great insulator; it's also incredibly absorbent and wicks moisture away from the body to keep you dry and warm. Wool is also naturally odor resistant, so you can wear your Irish merino wool multiple times between washes.

And last but certainly not least, wool has eco credentials! It's a natural, renewable product that biodegrades much quicker than synthetic fabrics. It's got a long lifespan and is frequently and easily recycled and reused. It is also a carbon store; pure organic carbon makes up 50% of the weight of wool.

Our Ragg Wool Sweaters, made from 100% premium lambswool, are noticeably softer than competitors' versions, eschewing lesser wool-blend yarns and embracing a superior choice for perennial wear.

Sweaters in the Fair Isle style – as it's known today – were not produced until the First World War. They are constructed by knitting bands of horizontal motifs from two different coloured strands of wool. The patterns are made up of motifs such as crosses, diamonds and eight-pointed stars.

In today's fashion world for some the term Fair Isle is used to describe any knitwear design that uses lots of alternating bright colors, while for others it's strictly the traditional Shetland motifs.

When it comes to the benefits and qualities of wool, the list is long. Each year sheep grow a new fleece making wool a renewable resource. Wool is also biodegradable providing soil nutrients as it decomposes naturally. And as a natural product, wool requires less processing than man-made fibres.

100% wool sourced from farms in New England and across the US features a blend of the soft wools from Rambouillet, Columbia, Targhee and Friesian sheep mixed with the lustrous fleeces from Corriedale, Montadale and Romneys. The result is a lofty yet durable yarn with great stitch definition.