Fine merino wool. Merino wool - a material with unique properties

A special breed of sheep - merino sheep - has an interesting history. Spanish cattle breeders bred this breed in the distant 13th century and kept it for five centuries, 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.
Special properties of the rune: density and fineness.
Unpretentiousness and endurance.

Reference! In recent decades, a breed of merino has been grown, which has not only warm wool, but also dietary meat.

Why merino wool is considered elite

The main advantage of merino wool is their unique wool.

Features and quality characteristics

Fine-wooled... Sheep of this breed have 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.

Reference! 1 kg of wool is used for the production of a large number of threads (1 kg - 600 km).

Therefore, among other fine-wool breeds, merino have an advantage.

Heat retention combined with hygroscopicity. The touch of fine merino wool creates a pleasant experience. Among its qualities are smoothness, silkiness and tenderness. At the same time, wool fibers do not absorb sweat odor, which makes them high quality.

Properties of the resulting fabric. The fabric, obtained from merino yarn, warms well, keeping the warmth of the human body. Such fabric is noticeably distinguished by its elasticity (5 times more elastic than cotton thread). At the same time, it is distinguished by softness (three times softer than natural), subtlety, and clothes made of such fabric do not look bulky, but stylish and elegant.

Advantages of merino wool

Thermal insulation. Elite fiber manages to create comfort in cold weather, they retain heat well. And at high temperatures, they are just as effective protection against heat.

Reference! Due to its 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 bedding 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.

Resistant to dirt. 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.

Hygiene, antibacterial and environmental friendliness. The biological nature of fibers gives them valuable capabilities. They contain a special substance - creatine, which can prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and microorganisms. Fibers and insects are not afraid: they are frightened off by a natural repellent that appears on the surface.

Beneficial effects 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 the animal wax lanolin is formed, have healing agents. Combined with the dry heat they create, the healing effect is enhanced.

Diseases for 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 micromassage 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 humans.

The difference between merino wool and other animals (alpaca and cashmere)

Wool is not only cut 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. Merino wool has a number of predominant differences from these types of wool.

Practical and durable. Merino yarn, in contrast to 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. Of different types of wool, merino has the highest hypoallergenic and antibacterial properties. 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 yarns have different color shades.

Practical uses of merino wool

What is the merino fleece used for?

The properties of the fibers allow the use of merino textiles both for home textiles (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 wear merino wool

It is useful for everyone to have things of their merino in their wardrobe. They will reliably protect you from the cold and at the same time will 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 don't have to worry that a baby dressed in such things will overheat, and then get cold from a light breeze. This will not happen with merino clothing: clothing and heat transfer will create a comfortable atmosphere conducive to maintaining and strengthening health.

People with certain medical conditions. The healing properties make merino wool clothes 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, comes to customers in the form of skeins of yarn for knitting original items, as well as in the form of ready-made items.

Reference! The cost of products and yarn depends on the country of origin. High-quality goods made in Russia are more democratic: their cost does not include delivery charges and customs duties.

Product price:

Yarn - from 200 rubles. (skein 50 g) up to 750 rubles.
Blankets - 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- this is the wool of a special breed of sheep, which is distinguished by the thinnest and longest fibers.

Story

From ancient times to the present day, merino is one of the most popular types of wool. Experts emphasize that no other breed of sheep can surpass the merino in terms of wool quality. It was the luxurious fine-woolen wool that made this sheep famous all over the world.

About 200 years before the advent of our era, the Romans began selective breeding of a special breed of sheep with thin and long wool. For these purposes, they crossed a Greek ram and a Roman sheep. However, the success in this matter was achieved not by the Romans, but by the Spaniards. This is written in the writings of Pliny the Elder, who called the Spanish merino the best breed of sheep in the world. Already in those distant times, the rulers issued various decrees and decrees that encouraged people to breed merino. There were even special privileges that were given to the leading countries in this area.

So, by the end of the 16th century, Spain had become the undisputed leader in the breeding of these sheep. Moreover, she held a monopoly in this area until the Spanish were defeated by England. However, in order to succeed in sheep breeding, the British took another 200 years. That is how many they bred the miracle sheep, after they took out the samples from the state affected by the war.

In the 18th century, merino animals were brought to Australia. It turned out that this country has ideal conditions for raising sheep. From that moment on, the country became the main supplier of wool to European countries.

Today, merino animals are bred in nurseries in Australia, New Zealand and some other countries. It can be said without exaggeration that this wool has won recognition all over the world, and every year the popularity of merino products is only growing.

Benefits of merino wool

Year after year, merino is becoming more and more popular as eco-friendly, healthy fabrics that have a beneficial effect on human health become fashionable.

Merino wool has pronounced healing properties, primarily due to the high content of lanolin - animal wax. Among the beneficial effects of merino wool on human health are the following:

Merino clothing has a beneficial effect on muscles and joints, therefore it is indicated for people suffering from joint and muscle pain;

sweaters, socks, other clothes made of this wool perfectly stimulate blood circulation;
clothes made from this material are classified as "thermal clothing", since it maintains a microclimate that is optimal for human health;
merino is a hypoallergenic material, this is especially true for people who have hypersensitivity;
lanolin is known for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and resorption properties;
Merino clothing is indicated for people suffering from osteochondrosis, rheumatism, orthopedic materials, bronchial ailments;
wearing merino clothing is the prevention of puffiness; for those who constantly suffer from this problem, the swelling will decrease;
effectively absorbs moisture with increased perspiration and remains dry at the same time;
merino wool is equally useful for adults and children.

Merino products

Clothing (sweaters, etc.), socks maintain body temperature without overheating and provide excellent ventilation.
Merino bedding (blankets and pillows filled with merino, mattress toppers) is what is necessary for healthy sleep and strengthening the body, because we spend a third of our lives in bed. Wool products will create an optimal sleep regime at any time of the year and at any temperature in the house or apartment.

Strength

Merino clothing and bedding are durable and durable.

The fact is that the fibers of merino wool have a fine crimped structure, as well as high strength and splendor. These unique properties of merino are reflected in the texture - lush and airy, which retains its qualities and appearance for a long time.

As you know, people have not yet been able to create an artificial material that completely recreated the unique properties of sheep's wool, which is a kind of thermal stabilizer. That is why merino clothes are comfortable both in hot and cold weather (which is especially important when moving from street to room and vice versa, otherwise there is a high risk of getting sick).

Wool is extremely practical to use - merino products will serve you for many years.

What is merino wool?

This is a natural wool of a merino sheep breed, which is distinguished by a special fineness of fibers. Despite their thinness, the fibers have significant strength. It is these properties, fineness and strength at the same time, that ensured such popularity of merino wool. Products knitted from it are soft, pleasant to the body, wear-resistant, retain an attractive appearance for a long time and have excellent thermal insulation properties.

A bit of the history of merino

The merino breed of sheep originates from sheep imported by the Phoenicians from Asia Minor and North Africa. A notable spread of merino in Spain occurred towards the end of the 12th century. In the 13th and 14th centuries, Spanish breeders introduced English breeds, which they crossed with local breeds to develop merino breeds, a fusion that was openly documented by Spanish writers of the time. Spain became famous for its fine wool and monopolized its supply to Flanders and England from the 12th to the 16th century.

In the late Middle Ages, the wool trade became one of the main sources of income for Castile. Most of the flocks belonged to the nobility or the church, sheep grazing in the southern plains of Spain in winter and in the northern highlands in summer. Until the 18th century, exporting merino from Spain was a crime punishable by death. In the 18th century, a small export of merino from Spain and crossing them with local sheep breeds formed the basis for the development of the merino breed in other countries. The most widespread breed of merino was received in Australia, which today is the world leader in the production of merino wool, its share is about 80% of the entire market.

What is merino wool?

Australia is known for its very harsh winters and hot summers. Thanks to the sheep's adaptation toIn such difficult conditions of survival, the world received a wool with unique properties - merino wool. Merino wool has a microscopic diameter - from one third to one tenth the thickness of a human hair. The smaller the fiber diameter, the softer and more pleasant to the body, and therefore more valuable. Merino wool is subdivided into:

Ultrafine Wool is the finest wool fiber in the world. Extra Ultrafine is in the micron range of 16.0 and finer. Ultrafine is in the 16.1-17.5 micron range. Breeders concentrating on ultrafine microns can produce fibers as small as 13.5 microns and even slightly thinner. Ultra-fine merino wool in the 12.5-17.5 range is ideal for blending with other exclusive fibers such as silk and cashmere to produce high quality fabrics in the exclusive fashion market for both men and women.

Superfine wool - fiber diameter 17.6-18.5 microns.

Fine wool - fiber diameter 18.6-19.5 microns.

Fine-Medium Wool - fiber diameter 19.6-20.5 microns. Merino sheep are most common in this range of fiber thicknesses. Their wool is ideal for use in medium to heavy knitwear, has a soft feel, yet retains its strength and durability when used in outerwear.

Medium wool - fiber diameter 20.6-22.5 microns. Used mainly for light suits, knitwear, in the commercial sector. More durable.

Thick wool (Strong Wool) - fiber diameter 22.6 microns and above. Even more durable, used primarily for blending with polyester and acrylic fibers for the production of inexpensive fabrics and knitted wool. Also used in seat and upholstery fabrics in the automotive and aviation sectors. Fabrics with thick merino wool are also used by designers as wall coverings for interior decoration.

Merino wool properties

Centuries of evolution and selective breeding have led to the emergence of a special breed of sheep - the merino, capable of producing ultra-fine wool fiber. Products made from fine grades of merino wool are much thinner, more elegant than traditional wool, they do not scratch the skin, do not cause irritation, but on the contrary, only pleasant tactile sensations.

Compared to other fibers in the fabric, merino wool has smaller air pockets and better blocks body heat, making the fabric a super insulator. Merino wool is highly breathable. Its fibers can absorb moisture up to 30% of its own weight. By absorbing moisture from the body, clothing remains dry and comfortable, regardless of temperature. It helps regulate body temperature, keeping you warm in cold weather and comfortably cool in hot weather. Merino wool warms up naturally. The unique qualities of soft merino wool make it the best material for children's underwear. A child who moves a lot and is subject to increased sweating will feel comfortable in merino wool, the body breathes freely through the wool, does not freeze, and there is no feeling of dampness. Thanks to its warmth, merino wool is also ideal for a child playing in peace.

The softest of all wool types, merino wool is quite often suitable for allergic skin as it usually does not cause allergic reactions. The extremely fine, soft and resilient fiber of the merino wool has excellent elasticity, enhancing the high performance qualities of the merino wool. The natural antimicrobial properties of merino wool make it odor-resistant, which is another big advantage over synthetic fabrics. Also, merino fiber is extremely strong, antistatic and flame retardant, making it an ideal raw material for a variety of products.

It is difficult to list all the areas of application of merino wool, because it has so many unique properties. Popular are blankets made of merino, blankets, in which it is so comfortable to wrap yourself in bad weather or after a hard day at work. Merino for children is very widely used. They produce thermal underwear from merino, again especially popular for children, in which it is always dry and comfortable in any weather.

For your convenience, we have highlighted the yarn with merino wool in a separate section on our website.

Happy shopping!

The material from which our clothes are made can be not only comfortable and beautiful, the hero of our article, for example, knows how to heal. Merino is a unique wool of sheep of the same breed; no other raw material in the world has similar properties.

Story

Merino wool - what is it? The material has a rich and very interesting history. The breed of sheep "Merino" was bred in Spain in the 13th century, and the Spaniards for five centuries did not allow the breeding of such sheep in other places, and this rule was so strict that its violation was punishable by death.

But, unfortunately for the Spaniards and fortunately for the rest of the world, after this country lost the war to Britain in the 18th century, several animals were still taken out. The British began to massively breed merino in Australia and New Zealand (these countries then had the status of British colonies).

However, even now it is New Zealand and Australia that are the main suppliers of merino wool in the world. The material is considered elite and many people know the answer to the question "100% merino - which animal is wool?"

Read more about this fiber from another animal.

Description

What is merino wool and why is it so good? Sheep of this breed are distinguished by an incredibly thin fleece. For comparison, human hair is several times thicker. The result is a material that is incredibly thin, delicate and smooth. It is several times softer than natural silk and five times more elastic than cotton.

You can see what it is - a merino - in our selection of photos.

Specifications

It is unlikely that you will find negative qualities in this natural sheep wool, but it has a lot of advantages.

Kinds

Depending on the place on the animal from which the fleece was taken, on the age of the sheep and other important factors, several types of material are distinguished:

Extrafine
Virginia
Geelong and Super Geelong
Luster
Cashwall

Merino Extrafine, what it is, as well as a description of other species:

Extrafine merino wool, what is it? In this case, we are talking about premium material, by no means cheap, but very high quality. Fleece for this fabric is sheared only from Australian sheep, but this is far from the most important condition. The wool is sheared only from the withers of the lambs, which is why it is so delicate, soft and snow-white. In addition, woolen yarn undergoes an additional SUPERWASH treatment, which makes knitting and subsequent care of the finished product easier.

What is “extrafine” merino in translation? The name, if translated into Russian, sounds like "very thin". And this is so, because the thickness of the rune for this type of matter cannot exceed 15 microns.

Geelong

This variety got its name, since the weaving fleece is sheared only from lambs raised in the Australian city of Geelong. A distinctive feature of this fiber is its softness and lack of shine.

Luster

Fiber that undergoes a special treatment, as a result of which it does not prick or fall off when worn

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, several sheep were first exported outside the country.

In Russia, merino dogs appeared much later, and their breeding began only in the 19th century. Then several types of merino were bred: electoral, infantado, negretti, rambouille. These breeds were brought from other countries. And local sheep breeders bred such breeds as Russian Infantado, Mazayevsky and New Caucasian 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 merino wool is distinguished by high quality combed wool, the fiber thickness of which is only 15-25 microns. Despite such a small indicator of thread thickness, this wool is particularly durable. In addition, it has a number of unique properties.

Firstly, merino wool is hygroscopic, that is, it has 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, a 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 repels foreign substances and is cleaned with an elementary shaking.

Thirdly, the merino wool is incredibly warm. This is due to the fact that in structure it is twisted fibers, between which an air space is formed.

In addition, merino wool has the ability to build up 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.

Merino wool types

Merino wool is usually distinguished by the thickness of the fiber. The cost of raw materials also varies from this indicator.

The thinnest merino thread is called “summer” and is marked as “Golden Bale”, which means “golden bale”. This is the most elite type of filament, its thickness is only 14.5-16 microns.

In second place is the wool of the line "Extra Fine", the so-called "graceful". It is also extra thin, but its thickness is 16-17 microns.

Closes the line with wool of the "Super Fine" brand, that is, the "thinnest" - its thickness is 18-19 microns.