Throughout history, garments made of hair, such as socks, mittens, and sweaters, have been crafted for practicality and tradition. This machine-knitted sweater, made of 60% human hair and 40% wool, was manufactured by Tabergs Yllefabrik AB in Småland, Sweden, around the 1940s. During World War II, Sweden faced a severe shortage of raw materials. Tabergs Yllefabrik addressed this challenge by reviving the old practice of mixing wool with human hair for clothing production. The wool factory partnered with the Swedish Hairdresser’s Association to gather hair clippings from salon floors. An impressive 10,000 hairdressers participated in the initiative, collecting 60,000 tons of hair annually during the war. This innovative solution helped maintain clothing production and demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness in a time of scarcity.
