WOOL: REINVENTED
Lanificio di Tollegno pioneers stretch wool yarn with LYCRA® fiber
Nov 19, 2025
Why should activewear brands care about wool? Because it’s not just wool anymore.
Lanificio di Tollegno, a pioneering Italian mill rooted in over a century of craftsmanship, has rewritten the rules of wool with its revolutionary 3DWOOL® collection, a line of bi-stretch woven wool fabrics designed for modern movement and long-lasting shape. Now powered by LYCRA® fiber, this game-changing fabric bridges the gap between natural luxury and high-performance stretch, unlocking new potential for active, athleisure, business wear, and hybrid apparel brands.
THE STRETCH SECRET IN SUPERIOR BUSINESS WEAR: LYCRA® FIBER
At the heart of Lanificio di Tollegno’s 3DWOOL® innovation lies LYCRA® 136B fiber, specially engineered for delicate, heat-sensitive fibers like wool. While natural wool offers comfort and breathability, LYCRA® fiber gives it something new: resilient stretch, enhanced shape retention, and lasting fabric stability, even after frequent use or washing.
Used in both warp and weft, this bi-directional flexibility allows garments to move effortlessly with the body and bounce back to their original form, supporting active lifestyles without the sag or deformation seen in traditional mechanical stretch wool.
ENGINEERED AT ITS CORE
LYCRA® 136B fiber is a high-performance innovation designed to elevate natural fabrics like wool. Produced in a Cradle to Cradle Certified™ facility in Maydown, Northern Ireland, it meets the highest standards for environmental responsibility (including OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100). Spun within the 3DWOOL® yarn, it remains undetectable, preserving the pure, natural feel of wool while quietly enhancing stretch, shape retention, and long-term comfort.
3DWOOL® is truly versatile, adapting seamlessly to today’s consumers: from skiing to streetwear, luxury casual to commuter tailoring. Enhanced with LYCRA® fiber, this fabric transforms wool into a multipurpose material that is resilient, breathable, stretchy, and supremely wearable.
For brands working in darker tones — think black active pants, navy travel suits, or minimalist outerwear — Lanificio di Tollegno’s 3DWOOL® is available with LYCRA® BLACK fiber, where pigment is embedded directly into the fiber. That means no overdyeing, less water use, and garments that hold their color longer, even after repeated wash and wear.
WHY WOOL NEEDS LYCRA® FIBER (AND WHY BRANDS SHOULD CARE)
LYCRA® fiber provides superior fit recovery and shape integrity compared to mechanical stretch alone
LYCRA® 136B fiber helps avoid issues like shrinkage, creasing, and fabric fatigue, delivering elevated lifestyle and performance garments
Perfect for sporty chic, luxury casual, and technical applications, such as golf or travel-ready tailoring
Explore Lanificio di Tollegno 3DWOOL® collection powered by LYCRA® fiber today.