This handmade 100% wool felt mat contains the 12 zodiac signs. In astrology, a sign of the zodiac refers to one of 12 specific constellations of the zodiac that the sun passes through. Because most of the constellations through which the ecliptic passes represent animals, the ancient Greeks called its zone zōdiakos kyklos, “circle of animals,” or ta zōdia, “the little animals.” A person's particular sign of the zodiac is the one that the sun was in when they were born. It is a belief in astrology that a person's personality can be predicted using their sign of the zodiac. The 12 zodiac signs and their respective symbolism and dates are- Aries (Ram): March 21 - April 19, Taurus (Bull): April 20 – May 20, Gemini (Twins): May 21 - June 21, Cancer (Crab): June 22 - July 22, Leo (Lion): July 23 - August 22, Virgo (Virgin): August 23 - September 22, Libra (Balance): September 23 - October 23, Scorpio (Scorpion): October 24 - November 21, Sagittarius (Archer): November 22 - December 21, Capricorn (Goat): December 22 - January 19, Aquarius (Water Bearer): January 20 - February 18, and Pisces (Fish): February 19 - March 20. 
 
All Wooliie products contain positive symbolism that has been needled into them by the hands of Nepali artisans. Our intention is to imprint only positive energy into your environment and for your best friend. 
 
Wool felt is a non-woven wool fabric that is made of matted wool fibers. Wool felts because it has microscopic scales on the surface of each fiber. When the fibers are subjected to a mixture of moisture, heat, and agitation, the scales lock together like Velcro.
 
In contrast to other types of wool fabric, wool felt isn’t made from yarn. It’s made from raw wool. In making felt, the wool is first combed and then boiled with water. This type of felt is called boiled felt. In the textile industry, a lot of felt is made out of other materials like polyamide and polyester. This is called needle felt. In producing needle felt, the fabric’s chemical fibers are punctured by a series of needles with special barbs, and then finally chemically treated. Wooliie wool felt products are only made from boiled felt, never from needle felt. 
 
Boiled wool felt is made of wool or wool mixes. The quality of the final boiled wool felt product thus depends upon the selection of its base materials. Ensuring we have the correct base is important to us as we want to provide our customers with products that can be used for many years. In our production process, only the finest, high-quality wool fibers make the cut. 
 
After the fibers are selected, they are boiled and dried for further work. They are then rewashed and molded into Wooliie products- all by the hands of skilled Nepali artisans. The final step in our production process is 'refining' the wool. There are many different ways in which we carry out our refining process. One way in which we do this is by steaming the wool. When we steam the boiled wool fiber, we're able to refine it into the desired thickness. Once we have achieved our desired thickness we are left with a high-quality base product, and we then move on to the finish work- hemming, needling, and a final clean. Depending on each product’s specific needs, we use different techniques for each.
 
Wool felt is the perfect eco-friendly companion. Its warmth and durability are what most people look for. However, wool is an impressive, natural material with excellent properties from the ground up. Through the boiling process, these natural properties are further strengthened. The result is a thick, soft, and durable fiber, which is ideal for use in our high-quality products.
 
Some of the many benefits of boiled wool felt include flexibility, durability, lightweight, breathable, insulating, temperature regulating, long-lasting, moisture-wicking, dirt and water-repellant, odor-resistant, and wrinkle-resistant. The combination of these qualities work in harmony to achieve comfortable, safe, soft, and strong Wooliie products.
 
Through our experiences, and our trials and errors, we have found a way to produce wool fiber of the highest quality. We have developed special boiling, matting, and needling techniques. Due to our stringent quality control and our hard work and dedication in procuring processes and materials of the highest quality, we’re able to craft the best pet toys and supplies in our facilities in Nepal.
 
Even our labels are completely natural with no use of chemicals, synthetic fibers, or artificial dyes in the production process. We first source raw, organic cotton and our artisans dye the cotton with 100% natural plant dye. Raw embroidery silk is used to hand-stitch our logo onto our label, and, raw, organic cotton thread is used to hand-stitch the labels onto the finished Wooliie products before arriving to you. Only the best is good enough and always has been.
 
ALL MATS INCLUDE AN ADJUSTABLE TRAVEL STRAP WITH PURCHASE- MADE FROM 100% RAW COTTON.