They are made for very skinny arms and you need to have a tiny thumb!  That being said, they are warm I knew they were going to work for what I needed them for, so I took a pair of scissors to the thumb hole and opened it up a bit.  (I purchased these to go with a new coat that has too short of sleeves.)  I have large arms and can get them up about 3/4 of the way to my elbow, but that's the only part of my arm that I need covered, so, works for me.  It would be nice if the part that covered your fingers was a little longer. .You can tell that they are wool,, because they are warmer than the cotton ones I had, but I didn't find them to be as scratchy  as some people said they were.  Knowing what I know now, I would probably still order them (my other option is to make them myself and I don't have time right now)