What is merino wool. Merino wool - what is it? Properties and products
Since healthy lifestyle life has become a guide for many people, we carefully read the information on the label - whether it is a package of cheese or a winter sweater designed to warm in bad weather. In pursuit of the best, we are faced with new terms and names. One of them is the inscription "Merino - 100%" proudly emblazoned on the label. What kind of wool is this - merino? And why is she unique?
There are indispensable!
Merino is a special breed of sheep, whose wool is distinguished by the longest and finest fibers. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this is a legendary breed. Until 1765, attempts to export this high-quality from Spain were punished death penalty, and only noble persons could wear products made of merino wool. And only in the XVIII century, when the Spaniards were defeated by the British, merinos were taken out of the country. However, the British did not manage to master the art of sheep breeding immediately. It took about 200 years before the specialists of the country of fogs and rains were able to achieve significant success in sheep breeding, comparable to the skill of the Spaniards. Ideal conditions for breeding merino turned out to be in Australia, where the widespread use of wool on an industrial scale began. By the way, the country to this day remains one of the world leaders in the production of merino wool. Surely you are already intrigued by what could inspire the Europeans to a fierce struggle for the "Golden Fleece". And there are really many reasons for this.
For any weather and season
The main secret of merino wool is that it maintains an optimal microclimate. The best of that proof is the well-being of sheep, which can equally well withstand low winter and high summer temperatures.
It is not surprising that scientists have not yet been able to create an analogue that could replicate its properties as a thermal stabilizer. Merino clothes are thin to the touch, but surprisingly warm products (sweaters, blouses, vests). In them, the winter cold will be nothing for you. If you get bed linen from merino (duvet cover, pillow, blanket), it will serve you equally well both in winter and in summer. Just think: there are millions of air cushions in the fibers that retain heat regardless of temperature changes. And due to the high hygroscopicity, merino wool is able to absorb up to 33 percent of moisture from its volume. Thanks to this property, the body always remains dry.
Warms and heals
To date, the healing properties of merino no one is in doubt.
Firstly, wool has a beneficial effect on the joints and actively stimulates blood circulation.
Secondly, due to the significant amount of animal wax - lanolin - in wool, merino products have an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and absorbable effect. Therefore, it is recommended to wear clothes made from this wool for those who suffer from rheumatic and orthopedic diseases, problems with the bronchi, and edema.
Thirdly, due to the ability to maintain the best microclimate for a person in merino clothes, a person gets tired less.
Finally, in the "age of allergies" it is impossible not to say that this wool is hypoallergenic, so merino - the best choice for children, pregnant women, athletes and all those who care about their health and comfort.
Looks great!
The appearance of merino wool will not disappoint you either. These are exceptionally soft, fluffy, elastic and amazingly beautiful products that keep their shape for a long time and well.
At the same time, wool has high strength, it is extremely practical to use.
And no insomnia!
Often, sleep problems can be caused by “wrong” bedding. Merino will also help to make sleep healthier and stronger.
Today, there is a large selection of Merino products on sale, including blankets, duvet covers. You don’t sweat in such a bed - the ventilation is just perfect. At the same time, underwear, like clothes, has an exceptionally beneficial effect on the body during sleep.
As you can see, no other breed of sheep can surpass Merino in its properties. Modern manufacturers offer us not only clothes and bedding, but also car seats, decorative pillows and (its upper part is made of wool). In a year, wool can be obtained from one sheep for the manufacture of about five items of clothing. We wish that at least a few of them ended up in your closet in the form of fashionable blouses and sweaters!
A special breed of sheep - merino - has interesting story. Spanish pastoralists bred this breed in the distant 13th century and for five centuries preserved it, not allowing breeding in other places. Their export was even punishable by death. In the 18th century Spain lost its power and was defeated by the British. Only then were they able to export several sheep to other European countries, as well as to Australia, which today is the largest producer of merino wool.
- A large amount of fleece obtained by shearing 1 sheep. Compared to other wool breeds, 1 merino replaces 2-3 sheep.
- The special properties of the rune: density and subtlety.
- Hardiness and endurance.
Reference! In recent decades, the Merino breed has been grown, which have not only warm wool but also dietary meat.
Why merino wool is considered elite
The main advantage of Merino is their unique wool.
Features and quality characteristics
Fine-woolness. Sheep of this breed are very fine wool. Even a human hair is several times thicker than it, and the thickness of an ordinary sheep's fiber is twice that of a merino one.
Reference! 1 kg of wool is used to produce a large number of threads (1 kg - 600 km).
Therefore, among other fine-wool breeds, merinos have an advantage.
Heat retention combined with hygroscopicity. The touch of fine merino wool creates a pleasant impression. Among its qualities stands out smoothness, silkiness and tenderness. At the same time, wool fibers do not absorb the smell of sweat, which makes them of high quality.
properties of the fabric obtained. The fabric obtained from merino yarn warms well, keeping the heat of the human body. Such a fabric is noticeably distinguished by its elasticity (5 times more elastic than a cotton thread). At the same time, it is distinguished by softness (three times softer than natural), thinness, and clothes made from such a fabric do not look voluminous, but stylish and elegant.
Advantages of merino wool
Thermal insulation. Elite fiber manages to create comfort in cold weather, they retain heat well. And when high temperatures they are just as effective protection against the heat.
Reference! Thanks to high thermal insulation properties Merino fibers are considered one of the best fillers for blankets.
Hygroscopicity. Products made from elite sheep fibers absorb moisture well, keeping the skin dry, which makes it possible to use such bed linen at any time of the year.
The ability to repel odors. Merino yarn has an important quality - it does not absorb odors, so products made from it do not retain the smell of sweat.
Dirt resistant. The structure of merino fibers has curls that look like springs and have their properties. Therefore, dirt does not penetrate into the fibers, but remains on the surface and is easily shaken off.
Hygienic, antibacterial and environmentally friendly. biological feature fibers endows them with valuable opportunities. They contain a special substance - creatine, which can prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and microorganisms. The fibers are not afraid of insects either: they are repelled by the natural repellent that appears on the surface.
Beneficial effect of merino wool on human health
Merino yarn and products made from it are hypoallergenic, do not cause irritation and can be used even for newborns. It can also be used by people suffering from bronchial asthma. In addition, the fibers, on the surface of which animal wax lanolin is formed, have curative means. In combination with the dry heat they create, the healing effect is enhanced.
Diseases in which merino products are especially useful:
- colds and lung diseases (bronchitis, cough);
- arthritis;
- radiculitis;
- osteochondrosis;
- back pain.
Reference! Without a cover, a merino blanket is able to perform a micro-massage of the back and other parts of the body, and it also does not prick.
The relaxing effect of merino wool is also known, which has a calming effect on a person.
The difference between merino and wool of other animals (alpaca and cashmere)
Wool is sheared not only from elite sheep. Also popular are alpaca - the fibers of an animal resembling a llama, as well as cashmere, which is obtained from goats living in the Indian province of Kashmir. Merinos have a number of advantageous differences from these types of wool.
Practicality and durability. Merino yarn, unlike alpaca and cashmere, is more practical and easy to care for, does not require particularly careful handling during washing. Another difference is its durability and wear resistance.
Medicinal properties. From different types Merino wool is the most hypoallergenic and antibacterial. It has no contraindications, on the contrary, it is used along with other therapeutic agents.
Color spectrum. Due to the fact that merino fibers are susceptible to any dyes, the produced yarn has various color shades.
Practical application of merino wool
What is merino fleece used for?
The properties of the fibers make it possible to use merino home textile(blankets, blankets, pillows), and for outerwear, hats, as well as underwear for adults and children, starting from birth.
Sets for newborns, thermal underwear for children and adults, socks, gloves, hats, jumpers, vests, cardigans and merino sweaters are in demand due to the optimal combination of quality and elegance, fashion and comfort.
Who is recommended to use things made of merino wool
It is useful for everyone to have things of their merino in your wardrobe. They will reliably protect from the cold and at the same time allow you to look stylish and fashionable.
The use of elite wool is especially useful for such categories of consumers:
Children. If a child, starting from infancy, comes into contact with healing fibers, he becomes less susceptible to viruses and infections. You can not worry that the baby, dressed in such things, will overheat, and then get cold from a light breeze. With merino clothing this will not happen: clothing and heat exchange will create a comfortable atmosphere conducive to maintaining and strengthening health.
People with certain diseases. Medicinal properties make merino wool necessary for articular, pulmonary and orthopedic diseases and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
The cost of merino yarn and merino wool products
Elite wool, which is highly valued in the world, reaches customers in the form of skeins of yarn for knitting original items, as well as in the form of finished items.
Reference! The cost of products and yarn depends on the country of origin. More democratic are high-quality goods made in Russia: their cost does not include delivery charges and customs fees.
Product price:
- Yarn - from 200 rubles. (skein 50 g) up to 750 rubles.
- Plaids - from 2500 to 15000 rubles.
- Sweaters - from 4000 to 8000 rubles.
- Thermal underwear, children's clothing - from 2000 to 4500 rubles.
Merino wool does not depend on time: comfort, coziness and practicality are always appreciated.
Merino wool is obtained from a special breed of fine-wool sheep. The name of the breed is derived from the Spanish word "merino". The largest population of this breed is in Australia.
The breed is of Spanish origin and its history dates back to the 12th century. Until the 18th century, the export of Merino sheep from Spain was punishable by death. Only in 1723, for the first time, several sheep were taken out of the country.
Merino appeared in Russia much later, and their breeding began only in the 19th century. Then several types of merino were bred: electoral, infantado, negretti, rambouillet. These breeds were imported from other countries. And local sheep breeders bred such breeds as Russian Infantado, Mazaevsky and Novokavkazsky Merino.
Characteristics of merino wool
The climate of Australia is unique, which favorably affects the quality of the merino wool bred on this continent.
Australian merinos are distinguished high quality combed wool, the thickness of the fibers of which is only 15-25 microns. Despite such a small indicator of the thickness of the thread, this wool is particularly durable. In addition, she has a number of unique properties.
First of all, merino wool hygroscopic, that is, it has a high moisture absorption. It is able to absorb so much moisture that its amount will be 30% of its own weight. At the same time, the merino wool product not only remains dry, but also continues to warm its owner.
Secondly, merino wool is surprisingly dirt resistant. The structure of the fiber is so springy that it rejects foreign substances and is cleaned by elementary shaking.
Thirdly, merino wool is incredibly warm. This is due to the fact that in structure it is a twisted fiber, between which an air space is formed.
In addition, merino wool has the ability to build protection against unpleasant odors. The creatine contained in its fibers has a destructive effect on bacteria, and in addition creates an unfavorable environment for the survival of microscopic insects and bacteria.
Types of merino wool
Merino wool is usually distinguished by the thickness of the fiber. From this indicator, the cost of raw materials also varies.
The thinnest merino thread is called "summer" and is labeled as "Golden Bale", which means "golden bale". This is the most elite type of thread, its thickness is only 14.5-16 microns.
In second place is the wool line "Extra Fine", the so-called "graceful". It is also extra thin, but its thickness is 16-17 microns.
The wool of the Super Fine brand closes the line, that is, the “thinnest” - its thickness is 18-19 microns.
Merino wool is a natural fine fiber obtained from Merino sheep. The popularity of wool from this animal is explained by the fact that it is thin and durable. Accordingly, all products made of merino wool are wear-resistant, while they have good heat-regulating properties.
Merino wool - properties
Any sheep's wool has medicinal properties, because is natural material which absorbs and neutralizes all toxic substances excreted with sweat. As for merino wool, this yarn, in addition to toxins, absorbs moisture and warms perfectly. Merino wool garments are exceptionally dirt-resistant as their springy fiber structure repels dirt so that the garments are cleaned with a simple shake.
The natural properties of merino wool provide a comfortable feeling both in the winter cold and in summer heat. This material is actively used as a filler for blankets, under which it is so pleasant to sleep at any time of the year.
In conditions high humidity wool is heated due to the exothermic processes occurring inside its fibers. Plus, merino wool is super repellent. unpleasant odors, due to which it is widely used in tailoring - with it in bed there are no extra odors that arise due to the vital activity of bacteria on human skin.
One more useful property sheep wool- soothing. Agree - it is very pleasant to return home after a difficult and stressful day and wrap yourself in a soft blanket made of merino wool.
Also, this material creates simply unacceptable conditions for the reproduction of bacteria due to the content of creatine in wool. And the water repellent that forms on the surface of the fibers repels any insects.
Merino wool products
First of all, merino wool is especially preferable over any other materials for the manufacture of various products for children. It is very soft, hypoallergenic, independently regulates the process of heat exchange, so that a child who cannot yet complain of cold or overheating feels comfortable.
In second place in popularity are plaids and blankets made of merino wool. They envelop a person with their warmth and softness, forcing them to forget all the troubles and indulge in a healthy deep sleep.
Merino wool sleepwear is also very popular. The reasons are hypoallergenicity, repulsive properties in relation to harmful microbes and bacteria, the content of lanolin in the material, which softens and soothes the skin, helps the body recover well during sleep.
Merino wool products made in Italy are quite well-known: these are mainly blankets, blankets and which make the rest in the country, in the apartment incredibly comfortable. They are not processed with any additional dyes, so they remain environmentally friendly.
How to wash merino wool?
Merino wool products should be washed according to the instructions on the label. In general, things made from this fiber are not particularly prone to contamination due to good dirt-repellent properties, as well as the ability to self-clean. This is possible due to the special structure of merino wool. So frequent washing of things made of wool is not necessary. They just need to be periodically ventilated in moist air.
We hope that our article has helped you to better understand the properties of merino wool and understand what it is. Feel free to purchase products from this beautiful material and enjoy the process of their operation.
Merino wool yarn, which is rightfully considered one of the best in the world, is very popular among needlewomen. This type of wool is produced by a special breed of high-altitude fine-fleeced sheep Merino, bred in Australia and New Zealand, from which its name Merino comes.
Merino sheep are originally from Spain, but at the end of the 18th century they were transported to Australia and New Zealand. Now Australia has become the main producer of merino six in the world, where the number of merino sheep is about 155 million.
In terms of the amount of wool produced, merinos are real champions - one sheep grows up to 15 kg of wool per year, while sheep of other breeds do not produce more than 6-7 kg. But the most important thing is not even the quantity, but the quality of merino wool, which has a unique thickness of 14-23 microns (for ordinary sheep 25-35), is distinguished by elasticity, lightness and hypoallergenicity.
Depending on the thickness of the hair, merino yarn divided into four types. The most common type of Merino wool has a pile thickness of 20-22.5 microns. It is used in the manufacture of machine knitted wool and has a relatively low price. The production of merino wool of this type is 80% of its total.
The second type includes merino wool with a hair thickness of 18-20 microns. The yarn from it is called SuperFine, super fine, and its share in world production does not exceed 15%. The third group of Merino wool has a hair thickness of 16-17 microns and is produced under the brand name ExtraFine in the amount of 5-7% of the total.
And finally, the fourth and thinnest type of merino wool is called Summer wool. It is produced in the amount of about 0.1% of the total world production, and for this yarn they take a pile with a thickness of no more than 14-15.5 microns. This yarn is used to make the most expensive fabrics and knitwear, and it can only be bought at an annual special auction. Each season, the best batch of summer merino wool is named Golden Bale. It has the highest price, and its weight, as a rule, does not exceed several hundred kilograms.
The natural color of merino wool is white. best qualities yarn has no impurities, but since the merino itself is very expensive, synthetic threads are often added to the yarn to reduce the price. This, of course, worsens the excellent natural qualities natural merino wool.
But, nevertheless, merino wool is considered one of the best. Things from it are very warm, light and practical, they have excellent antibacterial properties, do not cause irritation and are great for small children. Interestingly, merino wool quickly absorbs moisture, but evaporates it just as quickly, so it retains heat well and is suitable for active physical activity. Caring for things made of myrino wool should be gentle, but at the same time it is no different from the way of caring for things made from other types of wool.
An excellent example of stylish things made of quality merino wool - hand-knitted, which in recent times are very popular.
