What kind of animal is merino wool. Merino wool - what is it? Properties and products

Merino wool - what is it? This is the finest natural wool of a certain type of sheep, merino. In addition to the fineness of the fibers, it is quite durable in quality. Items of clothing knitted from this wool do not lose their marketable appearance for a very long time when worn for a long time and at the same time retain heat well.

History of occurrence

This type of sheep, like merino, was first bred in Spain. Initially, it was an elite type of material worn exclusively by monarchs. For an ordinary commoner, wearing things made from merino wool was strictly prohibited. And if someone tried to take the merino out of the country, he was severely punished. All this continued until the 18th century. But already at the time of the conquests by the British, they accidentally took a couple of representatives of this type of sheep with them on board and delivered to Australia. And it was here that the climate turned out to be ideal for their breeding. Today, Australia is the world's top exporter.

Merino wool: what is it and what are its properties

Due to the difficult climatic conditions of survival, merino wool has acquired the following properties. After all, Australia has very severe winters and incredibly hot summers. And thanks to the properties of thermoregulation, animals managed to adapt to the harsh climate. The fibers are very thin - 5 of them can be equated in thickness to one human hair. This is the secret of thermal insulation of this type of wool. And at the same time, you can wear merino wool products for several days and not even a drop of sweat smell will appear. If you try to use any other wool for this, then the clothes will need to be washed every day.

It's no secret that any sheep's wool can not only warm, but also heal. After all, wool is a natural product that easily absorbs all the toxic that is released with sweat during wear. But in addition to absorbing toxic substances, it perfectly absorbs moisture and warms. The structure of the fiber has a springy shape, which allows dirt and dust not to stick to it. In order to clean the thing, you just need to shake it vigorously. Great for both cold season as a heating pad and hot summer day. Therefore, it is very convenient to fill blankets with such fiber for different seasons. This wool fights odors well, and therefore it is very often used in the textile industry.

An added bonus is that it serves as an excellent sedative. It's so cozy after a hard day's work to wrap yourself in a blanket made of soft wool.

What is made from

So, merino wool - what is it and what is it made of? The most common type of items made from wool of this type are items of children's clothing. Indeed, at a young age, children do not always complain to their parents about whether they are hot or cold. And in clothes made of this material, they are never hot and not chilly - they will not sweat or freeze. Merino wool thermal underwear for children is very popular. But do not forget that this is only a layer of underwear worn by a child in the cold season.

How to choose children's thermal underwear?

When choosing children's thermal underwear made of merino wool, you need to pay attention to the composition of the material. The main argument for parents is its practicality, useful qualities and price. The thickness of the fabric is not so important as its ability to absorb sweat and keep the cold out.

Merino wool blankets

Very popular products in the form of blankets and blankets, which give people only comfort and peace. Interestingly, the fame of blankets made from the wool of this type of sheep first arose long before the advent of the textile industry.

Bedding is mass-produced from this type of wool due to its hypoallergenic properties.

Merino wool products are washed like any other wool. Be sure to look at the care instructions on the label. The water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees, and the thing after washing should not be wrung out.

Main advantages

We continue to consider merino wool. What is it, we found out. Now let's take a look at its benefits:

Wool is hydroscopic.
Excellent thermal insulation due to the unusual structure of the fibers.
Wool breathes well.
Will never cause allergies.
Fairly elastic.
Does not require special care.

But most importantly, a merino wool blanket is a daily micro-massage of the whole body. Thanks to dry heat and lanolin fat on the surface of the fibers, it is an excellent remedy for the treatment of diseases such as arthritis, sciatica, back pain, and is good for colds. This is the only wool of all that is harmless and safe even for babies and people with bronchial asthma.

So it's safe to say that merino wool is truly elite wool!

A warm, cozy blanket made of merino wool will not only warm you on long, cold evenings, but will also give comfort and pleasant sensations. A merino blanket is a profitable purchase for a family of any income. A blanket with high-quality Australian sheep wool will serve all family members for a long time, and will also become the subject of bedroom decor.

Merino blanket is a good option for a gift to relatives and friends.

Peculiarities

Merino sheep wool is unique in its characteristics, which is why this type of wool is widely used not only in blankets and blankets, but also in the production of thermal underwear. Merino wool is one of the most expensive on the market, as it is sheared from an elite breed of sheep. This breed originated in Spain in the 12th century, but now the largest number of sheep is in Australia. It is on this mainland that the best conditions for breeding Australian merino.

Australian Merino - a small breed of sheep, which is bred only for the sake of obtaining fine wool. Despite the thinnest pile, the wool is very soft and warm, wear-resistant and durable. Due to the curly structure of the pile, the blankets retain their volume and softness for many years, provided they are properly cared for and stored.

The highest quality wool can be obtained during shearing from the withers of the animal in the spring.

Australian merino wool contains lanolin, a natural substance that, when heated from body temperature, penetrates the human body and gives a healing effect.

Lanolin is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. This substance has a beneficial effect on the joints, circulatory system, skin condition, and helps reduce swelling. Lanolin fights against osteochondrosis, arthrosis, maintains a constant comfortable body temperature during sleep, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Thanks to its medicinal properties, merino sheep's wool, in contact with the skin, fights against the manifestations of cellulite, gives a rejuvenating effect.

Types and sizes

Merino wool is unique in its characteristics, therefore it is used in the production of various products for sleeping: blankets, quilts, blankets with open wool, bedspreads.

Blankets with open wool are especially popular. A blanket without a cover is better in contact with the body, which means that the healing effect of merino wool is better. These blankets are made using a weaving process in which the wool is subjected to a minimum amount of processing and retains its healing properties. The duvet opening is light and thin, but at the same time warm.

There are varieties of such products:

with open hair on both sides;
with a sewn cover on one side.

Such products help to improve blood microcirculation, improve metabolism, and protect against electromagnetic effects. Moreover, the absence of a cover provides self-ventilation and ventilation of the product, which allows to increase its service life.

Blanket sizes:

80x100 cm - for newborns;
110x140 cm - for children;
150x200 cm - for a single bed;
180x210 cm - double;
200x220 cm - "euro" size;
240x260 cm - king size, maximum king size blanket.

The unique composition and properties of Australian merino wool led to the use of this raw material in the production of blankets, blankets, bedspreads for all age categories.

Advantages

Finished products from merino wool have the following advantages:

natural ingredients are hypoallergenic;
during sleep, the body remains dry at a constantly maintained temperature, due to the increased properties of hygroscopicity. Wool is able to absorb up to 1/3 of its own volume of moisture, while the fibers remain dry;
natural material self-ventilates and allows the skin to breathe;
the properties of thermoregulation of the product are achieved due to the twisted structure of the fibers that create air gaps in the product;

natural material does not absorb unpleasant odors, and the porous structure prevents the accumulation of dust and dirt;
antiseptic properties and therapeutic effect (for diseases of the musculoskeletal system, colds, to stimulate metabolism) are provided due to the content of natural lanolin in the fibers;
the use of raw materials of the highest quality from the withers of Australian merino sheep;
long service life of the product due to the elasticity of the fibers, which, after deformation, return to their original shape.

These unique characteristics of products made from merino sheep's wool determine the high cost.

How to choose?

There are a number of things to consider when choosing a quality Australian Merino wool blanket:

the price of a quality product is not cheap. The starting price is 2100 rubles and grows depending on the size of the product and the brand of the manufacturer;
when buying a blanket for adults, the dimensions of bed sets and a bed serve as a guideline;
when choosing a baby blanket, pay attention to the durability of the product, so it is much more profitable to take a larger baby blanket;
in the store, a new product must be smelled and felt. A high-quality product does not have a pungent odor, it smells like natural pile, it is soft and pleasant to the touch, after pressing and squeezing in the hand, it should quickly restore its original appearance;
when choosing a manufacturer, give preference to the company that offers the most additional options (warranty return period, additional removable cover, storage bag, etc.);
study the annotation and tags of the product.

How to care and store?

Merino wool blankets are unpretentious in care, but it is the correct handling of them that will extend the service life and preserve the original appearance of the product:

Merino wool blankets do not need frequent washing - 1 time in 2-3 years.
Very often, manufacturers allow processing only in dry cleaning.
Washing the product at home is permissible if there is a sewn-in tag, which indicates the type of washing and temperature. As a rule, it is a delicate or hand wash at low temperatures (30 degrees). When washing at home, you must use liquid detergents for delicate fabrics.
If there is a non-removable cover on the blanket, it is not necessary to wash the entire product. It is enough to wash the spots that have appeared on the cover and dry the blanket well in the fresh air.
Stains and dirt on a blanket with open wool do not have to be washed out, sometimes it is enough to use a special brush for woolen products.

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 were brought to Australia and New Zealand in the late 18th century. 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 is 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 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. Pure yarns are the best, but since merino itself is very expensive, synthetic threads are often added to the yarn to reduce the price. This, of course, impairs the excellent natural qualities of 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 from quality merino wool is hand-knitted, which have recently been very popular.

High quality wool. Previously, such animals were bred only in Greece, Italy and Spain. Today they are grown on all continents. There are farms specializing in this in our country. From the combed wool of such sheep, expensive high-quality yarns, called merino yarns, are made.

How do they do

First, let's see how merino yarn is made. The wool of sheep of this breed is very expensive. Therefore, in the manufacture of yarn to reduce the final price, it is usually mixed with either natural silk or cashmere. It also turns out to be expensive, but at the same time more or less affordable material. New Zealanders also have the option of using a yarn made from merino wool mixed with opossum fur.

Main characteristics

The choice of colors for all types of this material is very wide. sheep is valued primarily for its very fine pile (only 15-25 microns). Therefore, from the threads spun from it, you can knit both thin openwork things and warm voluminous ones. Used yarn reviews of which are excellent, for the manufacture of both products intended for adults and children's little things. Sweaters, hats and socks knitted from it do not cause allergies and do not irritate the skin at all.

Main advantages

Merino yarn is wool, which has earned almost enthusiastic reviews from craftswomen, it has simply a huge number of advantages. Its advantages include:

Hypoallergenic and antibacterial properties. Merino wool contains lanolin. That is why products from it do not cause allergies and can be used to make children's things. Since such products practically do not retain moisture, there is simply nothing for bacteria to develop in them.

Strength and lightness.

Elasticity. Products from are easily stretched and quickly take the original shape.

The ability to repel dirt.

How to care for products

In general, the material for knitting woolen things is very suitable - merino yarn. The wool of this variety is very high quality, but things made from it are still quite capricious. It is quite difficult to take care of them. They are washed exclusively by hand. In this case, you need to use only high-quality soft powders designed specifically for wool. If desired, such products can be rinsed in cool water with the addition of a tablespoon of grape vinegar.

You can soak such things, but not for a long time. Washed things are not squeezed out, but blotted, wrapped in a terry towel. Merino yarn products can only be dried in a horizontal position.

Twisting method

Any clothing intended for knitting, including merino, consists not of one, but of several threads. They can be connected to each other in different ways. Merino wool threads are first twisted in twos. Then several such pairs are taken and twisted again in the same direction. Merino wool is available on the market. used for knitting winter hats, vests and sweaters. From a thin one, you can make, for example, a light turtleneck, mittens, leggings, etc. The number of pairs used in the manufacture of yarn is usually indicated on the label. In the manufacture of material in this way, the threads lie next to each other freely. Therefore, the yarn is very elastic and flexible. Since merino yarn is only twisted in this way, this technology was named after her.

The opinion of craftswomen

Merino yarn is wool, which has received wonderful reviews. The characteristics of products made from this material are really just excellent. Their advantages, in addition to those listed above, include softness and aesthetic appeal. Knitting things from such wool, according to all the craftswomen, without exception, is very easy. The loops are even, and the thread itself lays down very well. It is easy to knit products from this material both with knitting needles and crochet.

In general, this yarn is considered by craftswomen to be of very high quality. Some of the disadvantages of merino material include only its high cost.

Yarn price

A 100-gram skein of merino yarn mixed with acrylic costs about 1200-1300 rubles. Of course, it's quite expensive. For example, a children's sweater for a girl 125 cm tall takes 2-3 such skeins of 100 g each. Thus, it can cost about 2500-3500 rubles. Natkranaya yarn (100% merino wool) is even more expensive - about 1700-2100 rubles. for a skein Of course, things from it are very expensive. However, they fully justify their price with excellent performance characteristics.

Thus, merino yarn (wool), reviews of which are simply wonderful - the material is really high quality and good. But of course, only craftswomen with experience in knitting woolen products should buy it. To spoil even a skein of such expensive yarn would be very disappointing.

Kira Stoletova

Merino wool is a unique material obtained from a special breed of sheep. Previously, such products could only be worn by people of noble birth, and attempts to export material outside of their native Spain were punishable by death. Today, yarn and threads from the wool of these sheep are available to everyone; a large number of products are produced from them that have unique properties. Merino - what kind of wool is it and what products from it are in priority?

What properties does

Merino wool products boast many features, including:

As can be seen from all of the above, a large-knit merino blanket, hat, linen or pillow case are excellent purchases that will provide not only warmth, but also strengthen health and cheer you up.

Variety of products and baby underwear

In modern stores you can buy not only a merino blanket, but also many other products. For example, fine yarn is often used for children's clothing. It will protect the child very well from the cold, but at the same time will not let him sweat. The fabric is often used for thermal underwear and other types of underwear, over which you should still wear warmer clothes.

It is worth choosing children's clothes from such material, paying great attention to the thickness of the fabric and its composition. Children's clothing should absorb sweat well and not allow the child's body to freeze. At the same time, products should not contain components that are harmful to health or can cause allergies.

Blankets and throws

A plaid made of real coarse knit merino wool will warm both the baby and his parents in the cold season. From thick yarn, products such as a blanket or plaid are most often made. They not only retain heat very well, but also give a unique feeling of coziness and comfort, and also do not cause allergies. In addition, it can be washed in the same way as any other woolen underwear, that is, with your own hands or in a washing machine at a temperature not exceeding 30 ° C.

Also, large-knit products can boast the following advantages:

A chunky knit merino wool blanket retains warmth much better than any other blanket.
Plaids made of thick merino yarn do not require special care.
It is very elastic, so the products are easily stretched, but there is no loss of shape.
The yarn breathes well, which means that sweating under such a blanket or thick yarn blanket will not have to sweat.

In addition to all this, the yarn from the wool of the described animal gives such an advantage as micro-massage of the skin when used. The cover will provide dry heat, which reduces the risk of arthritis, sciatica and other diseases of the joints and bones.

Men's and women's thermal underwear

From merino or alpaca wool, the production of underwear for men and women has also been established for a long time. Italy is the leader in this production, but on the market you can find socks and other products made from Australian merino wool.

Men's and women's underwear is the best option for those who go in for extreme sports at sub-zero temperatures, that is, for climbers, skiers, snowboarders. Products made of large merino wool can now be ordered in many sports online stores, the cost will be higher than ordinary thermal underwear, but if you read the description and reviews of experienced athletes, it becomes clear what the price is for.

What can be clothes

In addition to blankets, large-knit merino wool is used to make outerwear. Brands such as Woolie or Ohhio offer light and very warm knits that are very popular among residents of cold countries such as Russia, climbers and athletes. One of the best manufacturers of thermal underwear is Norveg.

Sweaters or scarves made of thick soft merino wool will come in handy when hiking in the mountains or skiing, while the cost of such things is fully justified by their performance, and you can order one thing or a whole set of underwear online.

Yarn as a whole art

For everyone who likes to do things with their own hands or simply can’t find the right size in the store, a merino wool blanket can easily be knitted with one’s own hand. The price of yarn will be lower than that of the finished product, and the resulting clothing can be of any color, shape and size, depending on the tastes of its owner. Threads can be bought in reels or other convenient format.

Anyone who wants to knit a large merino wool blanket, sweater, jumper or coat needs to buy or order yarn. This can be done in a specialized store or via the Internet, and the assortment includes both raw merino wool and ready-made threads for knitting.

Threads with the addition of other materials are quite voluminous, and in addition to the sheep wool itself, their composition can be diluted with cotton and silk, it may include acrylic, viscose, a certain percentage of cashmere and other materials. You need to pay special attention to the percentage of such additives when buying threads for knitting with your own hands, since the performance characteristics of the products depend on them.

By the way, if you see a merino wool blanket in the photo, this does not mean that it does not contain additives of other materials. Carefully read the composition of things before buying, for example, extrafine yarn is 22% silk and 8% cashmere. Australian wool yarn is produced under the Pekhorka brand and costs less than Italian, and if you are also interested in domestic products, then pay attention to Zephyr: the yarn is very voluminous, so you can knit from it even without using a hook, that is, with your hands .

Care and pricing policy

If you already know what kind of wool it is and now you want to know how to care for it, you should pay attention to the elementary rules.

A blanket, vest, booties, bed linen and other products require special care in terms of washing. This means that the water temperature must be up to 60°C.
Drying carpets and other products should also be very delicate.
If it is not possible to wash a blanket or blanket in a typewriter, then you need to do it manually. Carpets and other bulky products can be given to a specialized dry cleaner.

The cost of goods from the material depends on the manufacturer and a number of other parameters. For example, if Russia is listed as the manufacturing country on the label, then such a cardigan or slippers will cost less than the Italian version. For foreign manufacturers, the price also varies. For example, a blanket from the American company Modern Wool costs around 13,000 rubles, but delivery is not carried out to Russia, but the Russian company Woolie LLC offers the same products at a much more affordable price. Available in a variety of colors including red, green and many more.

Hand knitting and thick yarn

Handmade merino plaid

Underwear for children is not prickly, warms well and boasts other advantages described above. Woolen tights from the Norwegian brand Janus are also very popular today. If you are interested in a blanket or some other product made from the described material, you can appreciate all its advantages from the photo and detailed description.