Merino wool products. Merino yarn (wool): reviews, characteristics

Evgeny Sedov

When hands grow from the right place, life is more fun :)

Content

Knitwear is always fashionable and popular; manufacturers offer products from different types of yarn. Viscose, lavsan, polyester - products made of it are affordable. Will faux-yarn sweaters replace natural ones? No, especially when it comes to valuable and expensive raw materials that sheep give us. Merino wool is a unique yarn; large and small knitwear is made from it, and not thick clumsy sweaters, but merino products are airy, comfortable and very warm.

What is merino wool

Merino is a special breed of sheep bred in Spain. It is distinguished from others by the properties of wool - thin and long fibers perfectly retain heat and protect against high humidity. Initially, the breed was cultivated in Spain, from where it was forbidden to export the merinillo. They later became one of the Spanish war trophies of the British, who successfully adapted the breed to wetter and cooler climates. Australia has achieved success in breeding an elite breed of sheep. Today it is the undisputed leader in the production of merino yarns.

The cost of merino yarn is high, but there are prerequisites for this:

wool has perfect thermal insulation;
hypoallergenic, recommended for children of any age;
easily cleaned of dirt, does not absorb foreign odors;
absorbs up to 30% moisture;
useful for arthritis, osteochondrosis;
looks expensive, wears a long time and never goes out of style.

Merino wool yarn

"Merino" is popular among lovers of felting and knitting. Thread thickness is approximately 20-22.5 microns for machine knitting and 28-30 microns for hand knitting. It is not very expensive to buy thick merino yarn. ExtraFine and SuperFine, "Summer wool" (thickness from 14 to 18 microns) are considered elite yarns, from which they make airy and warm shawls, summer knitwear, capes. Such a thread is much more expensive, but appreciated by professionals. Acrylic or polyester additives are allowed, but not more than 5%.

Price - 450 rubles. for a skein

easy;
warm;
hypoallergenic;
suitable for openwork products;
ideal for baby clothes.

if dried incorrectly, the product may lose its shape and elasticity.

Yarn Lana Grossa Cashmere 16 Fine, composition: 80% merino wool; 10% cashmere; 10% polyamide, made in Italy.

Lana Grossa Lace Merino Degrade yarn - 100% merino yarn, Made in Italy:

Price - 535 rubles. for a skein

easy;
warm;
hypoallergenic;
suitable for coats, shawls, scarves;
looks unusual and creates a volume of the product

not suitable for machine washing;
high price;
due to the presence of polyamide in the composition, it may slightly electrify.

Yarn Lang Yarns Donegal composition 100% merino wool, manufacturer Switzerland

Price - 745 rubles. for a skein

warm;
hygroscopic;
unusual tweed colors;
outerwear, suits, pullovers, jackets are knitted from it.

not suitable for machine washing;
high price;
high consumption of yarn per product.

Merino wool products

Merino yarn has been used for hand and machine knitting since Soviet times. Women knit scarves, hats, sweaters, shawls, even coats and suits. Products made from thick yarn are especially popular - these are bulky scarves, sweaters, capes. Especially popular are handmade blankets made of bulky threads, Russian and foreign production. Any thing from a merino fleece has unique properties of yarn:

hygroscopicity;
excellent thermal insulation;
ease of wear;
self-cleaning;
lack of allergens.

Blankets

Merino wool blankets belong to the elite category of home knitwear. Classic - thin and very warm blankets from manufacturers from Germany and Sweden. New - hand-knitted blankets made of thick (about 5 cm in diameter) yarn. Super-large knit looks original and will decorate any interior. This is a great housewarming gift.

Plaid Flaum Ditta, composition 100% Australian merino

Price - 13857 rubles.

lightweight, weighs 700g .;
unusual ethnic design;

only hand wash with special products;
high price;

Woolie, coarse knit, composition 100% thick New Zealand merino yarn, manufacturer Moscow, Russia.

Price RUB 14,900

fluffy and warm;
handcrafted;
looks impressive.

many fakes, buy only from dealers;
high price;
hand washed, stretched dry on the floor.

Thermal underwear

Merino thermal underwear is highly valued for its hygroscopicity and ability to keep warm. It is put on the naked body and protects from overheating. Composition - merino wool and synthetic additives, which improve the quality of the product and extend the service life. In addition to standard sets (underpants and T-shirts), comforters, shorts and socks are produced.

Men's thermal T-shirt for hunting and fishing two-layer underwear of the Hunter series: 47% thermolight, 50% Australian merino, 3% lycra. Manufacturer - Norveg, Germany

Price - 3576 rubles.

wide range of temperatures for wearing;
the ability to absorb sweat and wick it away from the skin;
special fabric in 2 layers.

washing only with a special detergent;
high price.

Thermal underwear WOOLPOWER, made in Sweden. Composition 80% - merino, 10% polyamide.

Price: 3950 rub.

hypoallergenic;
can be worn on a naked body;
absorb moisture.

special care;

Pullover

Jerseys made from 100% merino are not only warm but also beautiful. Sweaters and cardigans from Scandinavia and Italy are traditionally valued, it has one drawback - the high price. More democratic chain brands H&M, Uniclo offer a choice for every day, but not as high quality. Separately, we note children's merino clothing, these are chic products for any age.

Haukeli - composition 100% merino wool, manufacturer Norway

Price: 17600 rub.

warm;
soft;
long worn ..

special care;
high price;

Children's knitted sweater red Merri Merrini. Composition 100% merino, manufacturer - Great Britain.

Price RUB 4650

hypoallergenic.
absorbs moisture;
does not get dirty

special care;
high price;

Blankets

Can a 2cm thick blanket keep you warm on a winter evening? Yes, if it's a merino blanket. Baby blankets, lorries and quilts will keep you warm and keep you warm. Russian products are not inferior to foreign ones and win in price, you should not discount them.

Nature "s Golden merino all-season wool. Manufacturer - Russia. Composition of the filler 100% merino wool.

Price - 3688 rubles.

suitable for any season;
light and warm;
does not cause allergies;
does not get dirty.

special care;
high price;
there is a slight smell of sheep's wool

Flaum Merino winter blanket, manufacturer Merino Wool, composition of merino thread - 80%, polylactide - 20%.

Price - 10500 rubles

warm blanket for the winter
does not cause allergies;
excellent thermoregulation

special care;
high price;

How to choose merino wool

Before purchasing any product made from merino wool, it is worth remembering that this yarn is one of the most expensive. Do not believe crazy promotions and profitable sales - many are trying to sell a fake. When buying, you should adhere to several rules:

touch - natural wool without pills, soft and does not creak;
throw on yourself - things made of merino wool are light and warm;
to smell - a specific smell cannot be confused with anything;
set fire to a thread - only when buying yarn in skeins, because no one will give you a blanket or blanket when selling.

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 of 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 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!

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 strong in quality. Garments knitted from this wool do not lose their presentation for a very long time with prolonged wear and at the same time retain heat well.

History of origin

This type of sheep, like merino sheep, was first bred in Spain. Initially, it was an elite type of material that was worn exclusively by monarchs. For the average commoner, wearing things made from merino wool was strictly forbidden. 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 British conquests, they accidentally took a couple of representatives of this species of sheep on board and brought them to Australia. And it was here that the climate turned out to be ideal for breeding them. Today Australia is the main exporter worldwide.

Merino wool: what is it and what are its properties

Due to the difficult climatic conditions of survival, merino wool acquired the following properties. Indeed, Australia has a very harsh winter and an incredibly hot summer. And thanks to the properties of thermoregulation, the 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 exactly the secret of thermal insulation of this type of wool. And at the same time, you can wear merino wool products for several days without even a drop of sweat smell. If you try to use any other wool for this, then the clothes will need to be washed every day.

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

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

What is made from

So, merino wool - what is it and what is made of it? The most common type of items made from this type of wool are items for children. 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 or chilly - they will not sweat or freeze. Children's thermal underwear made of merino wool is very popular. But do not forget that this is just 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 out cold.

Merino wool blankets

Products in the form of rugs and blankets are very popular, which give people only comfort and peace. Interestingly, the fame of blankets made from wool of this type of sheep first arose long before the appearance of the textile industry.

Bedding is mass produced from this type of wool due to its hypoallergenicity.

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

Main advantages

We continue to consider merino wool. We have learned what it is. Now let's take a look at its advantages:

The wool is hydroscopic.
Excellent thermal insulation due to the unusual fiber structure.
Wool breathes well.
Will never cause allergies.
Elastic enough.
Doesn't require any special care.

But the most important thing: a blanket made of merino wool is a daily micro-massage of the whole body. Thanks to the dry heat and lanolin fat on the surface of the fibers, it is an excellent treatment for 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 is safe to say that merino wool is truly an elite wool!

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

A 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 XII century, but now the largest livestock of sheep is found in Australia. It is on this continent that the best conditions for the cultivation of Australian merino.

Australian Merino is a small breed of sheep, which is bred only for the sake of obtaining fine wool. Despite the finest pile, wool is very soft and warm, wear-resistant and durable. Thanks 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 best quality wool can be obtained by shearing from the withers of the animal in the spring.

The wool of the Australian merino 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 joints, circulatory system, skin condition, and helps to reduce swelling. Lanolin fights osteochondrosis, arthrosis, maintains a constant comfortable body temperature during sleep, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Due to its medicinal properties, the wool of a merino sheep, when it comes into 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 exposed wool are especially popular. A blanket without a cover adheres better to the body, which means that the healing effect of merino wool is better. Such blankets are made by the weaving method, in which the wool is subjected to a minimum amount of processing and retains its medicinal properties. Blankets are light and thin, but warm at the same time.

There are varieties of such products:

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

Such products help to improve blood microcirculation, improve metabolism, and protect against electromagnetic influences. Moreover, the absence of a cover ensures self-ventilation and aeration of the product, which makes it possible to increase its useful life.

Blanket sizes:

80x100 cm - for newborns;
110x140 cm - for children;
150x200 cm - for a one-and-a-half bed;
180x210 cm - double;
200x220 cm - "euro" size;
240x260 cm - king size, quilt of the maximum, king size.

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

Advantages

Finished products made 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 moisture content, while the fibers remain dry;
natural material self-ventilates and allows the skin to breathe;
the thermoregulatory properties of the product are achieved due to the twisted structure of the fibers, which 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 fibers;
use of the highest quality raw materials 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 merino wool products are responsible for the high cost.

How to choose?

There are a number of aspects to consider when choosing a quality Australian merino wool blanket:

the price of a quality product is not cheap. The starting price is 2,100 rubles and increases depending on the size of the product and the manufacturer's brand;
when buying a blanket for adults, the size of the bedding sets and the berth are the guideline;
when choosing a baby blanket, pay attention to the durability of the product, therefore it is much more profitable to take a larger baby blanket;
in a store, a new product must be smelled and touched. A high-quality product does not have a pungent odor, smells like natural pile, 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 largest number of additional options (warranty return period, additional removable cover, storage bag, etc.);
study the product annotation and tags.

How to care and store?

Blankets made of merino wool are unpretentious in maintenance, 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 - once every 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 on which the type of washing and temperature conditions are indicated. As a rule, this is a delicate or hand wash at low temperatures (30 degrees). When doing laundry at home, use a liquid detergent 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 appear on the cover and dry the blanket well in the fresh air.
Stains and dirt on a blanket with exposed wool do not need to be washed, sometimes it is enough to use a special brush for wool 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-mountainous fine-wool Merino sheep bred in Australia and New Zealand, from which its name comes from Merino.

Merino sheep are native to Spain, but were transported to Australia and New Zealand in the late 18th century. Now the main producer of merino six in the world has become Australia, where the livestock of merino sheep is about 155 million.

In terms of the amount of wool produced, merino sheep are real champions - one sheep grows up to 15 kg of wool a 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 (in ordinary sheep, 25-35), is distinguished by its 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 wool for machine knitting and has a relatively low price. The production of this type of merino wool is 80% of its total.

The second type is merino wool with a hair thickness of 18-20 microns. The yarn from it is called SuperFine, super thin, 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 ExtraFine brand in the amount of 5-7% of the total.

And finally, the fourth and finest 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 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 a special annual auction. Each season, the best batch of summer merino wool is named Golden Bale. She has the highest price, and her weight, as a rule, does not exceed several hundred kilograms.

The natural color of merino wool is white. The best qualities are yarn without impurities, but since the 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 come out of it 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 vigorous physical activity. Caring for things made from myrinos wool should be gentle, but at the same time it does not differ in any way from the way of caring for things made from other types of wool.

An excellent example of stylish things made from quality merino wool are hand-knitted, which have been very popular lately.