This plum outfit is from op shop wool separates linked by scarf pieces hand sewn with vintage buttons to dress up skirt.

Wool drapes beautifully, is comfortable and toasty warm in cold weather. Merino wool is particularly soft, with amazingly superfine wool being produced in cooler parts of the nation.

Athough Australia no longer rides on the sheep’s back, it still leads the world in wool production by supplying high-quality natural fibre for the world of high-fashion in Europe and the bourgeoning Chinese market.

The National Farmers Federation website says total production of wool in Australia was 368,330 tonnes (greasy) in 2011, with wool exports valued at $3.047 billion and major markets for Australian wool being China ($2.2 billion), India ($209 million) and Italy ($178 million).

Australia is recognised as producing the world’s highest quality woollen fibre – Australian merino wool. It began with the hard work of one family – the Macarthurs – back in 1796 when John Macarthur bought his first merino sheep from a flock of Spanish merino sheep reared in South Africa. More history on this government website.

ABC Landline recently featured a new wool industry innovator in Tasmania who is growing and producing wool for knitting – view the gorgeous A sheep called Alice story here.

I’ve rescued a lot of wool from op shops for very reasonable prices. Regardless of shape, size, style or colour, I will buy wool garments that are soft to touch knowing they will be useful for upcycling.

I upcycled this long pink skirt last winter and it’s particularly comfortable. I gathered it, the maroon men’s zip jumper and scarf from various op shops. The skirt looked plain, so I cut the scarf in half lengthwise then made squares of wool from one half which I attached to the hemline of the skirt in a random pattern using vintage buttons. I turned the remaining scarf into a circle by joining together the ends with safety pins, and it drapes around the neck to link the jumper and skirt as an outfit.