1st Styrian Sheep Wool Yurt
"Wollgenuss" is an association of sheep farmers and wool processors. Together they make natural sheep wool products for everyday use - of course everything is handmade and from their own sheep wool. During a visit to the yurt in Edelsbach near Feldbach, which is an experience in itself, visitors learn interesting facts about the craft of "felting", local sheep's wool processing and the handmade production of products from sheep's wool on the basis of display boards. As part of a guided tour and a small workshop, a felt object can be made as a souvenir of the visit.
From wool of sheep
From steep meadows to vast high alpine pastures - sheep are at home everywhere in the country, these ancient domestic and farm animals that have been providing meat, milk and wool for several thousand years. Six female sheep farmers from the districts of southeast Styria and Weiz founded the association "Wollgenuss".
The aim was to jointly market products made from local sheep's wool from a single location. This was found with the construction of the first Styrian sheep wool yurt (a tent construction originally from Mongolia) in Edelsbach near Feldbach. Each of the farms also has its own showroom. The range of sheep wool products is diverse, the most popular being hats, bags and slippers, but also cushions, blankets, shoe inserts and fur pads.
Quite unusual are pillows and slippers filled with fragrant herbs or lip balms and soaps, made according to old farmers' recipes. Sheep's wool is non-toxic, dirt and water repellent, easy to dye, wrinkle resistant, elastic, flame retardant, purely biodegradable and has a calming and balancing effect. Especially because of its heat- and moisture-regulating effect, wool is highly valued in domestic beds.
The Wollgenuss farmers regularly offer felting courses and workshops on spinning and dyeing. No previous experience is necessary for these courses, and the farmers' wives have had everything from kindergarten children and school classes to clubs and all-male groups here. But they are also mobile and are happy to go out of the house with appropriate advance notice.
By the way: The Wollgenuss farmers are located right next door to Gsellmanns Weltmaschine in Edelsbach near Feldbach.