Chances are the products of Wool Novelty Co. are familiar: a square metal loom and a bag of stretchy fabric loops dyed in an array of colors. These two simple ingredients are combined to create an almost endless variety of woven squares, which are often used as potholders. The loops can also be used to make bracelets, belts, and handbags. The neon nylon loops are often used by soldiers to mark their targets. They are a staple of summer camps and rainy days, and the finished potholders often hang in the kitchens of proud parents.
Wool Novelty, started in 1917, is based out of Bethpage, N.Y. and manufactured in High Point, NC. The company ships out about 200,000 pounds of cotton and nylon loops, around 200 million loops every year. The loops are dyed 300 pounds at a time in the manufacturing facility in North Carolina. Both the looms and loops are made in the United States.
The company originally produced a product called Wool Foam, which was a specially formulated laundry detergent for wool and other delicate fabrics. This led to a connection with the hosiery manufacturers, and a business opportunity recycling the loops into something useable.
The loops come from the toe end of socks and tights. When a sock is mass manufactured, a long, continuous tube of fabric is knit on a circular knitting machine. As the length of each sock is completed, it is closed at the toe with a stitch. This creates loops of waste, which Wool Novelty was able to purchase and repurpose.
“A hosiery mill, when they make your sock or, or whatever, then that’s where they cut it off and the loop gets sucked into a machine with the strings and the garbage from the hosiery mill. We buy their garbage from them. We sort it, dry it and package it. So in a sense, we’re actually recycling their garbage to make these loops,” said Jason Stessel, the great-grandson of the founder. He runs the company along with his sister, Sara Ardilla. Their mother, Robin Stessel, owns the company.
To use the loom, loops are stretched from one side to the other and anchored on pegs. These loops will form the warp. Other loops are the weft. They are anchored on the crosswise pegs and then passed over and under these base loops to create a tight fabric. The pattern created by the colors varies depending on where they go over and under the other loops. The kits are a great way to begin exploring weaving and color play.
Many of the loops are made from nylon, which is especially receptive to brighter colored dyes. Stessel remembers having a conversation with his grandfather about the loops as a kid. “I remember in the ‘80s telling my grandfather that everything’s turning fluorescent and he should try neon colors, and (then) he came out with hot loops.” These bags of extra bright loops are still available.
While the kits are marketed to children, adults also enjoy the small-scale, relaxing activity. Stessel said that they often receive samples from craft groups on Facebook. He has some of his favorites hanging in his workspace. His sister also uses the loops in her handicrafts. “My sister loves to play with them. She makes flip flops and little handbag,” Stessel said.
These kits are available on the Wool Novelty website at www.woolnovelty.com or in person at their storefront at 429 N. Wantaugh Ave. in Bethpage.