Merino wool, what an animal. 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 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 keep warm 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 an ordinary commoner, wearing things made of 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 grabbed a couple of representatives of this species of sheep with them 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 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 wear. But in addition to absorbing toxic substances, it perfectly absorbs moisture and warms. The fiber structure is springy, which prevents 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 for different seasons. This wool fights bad odors well and is therefore very often used in the textile industry.

An added bonus - serves as an excellent sedative. It is 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 from 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 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 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 hypoallergenic nature.

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 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.
Does not require special care.

But most importantly: the merino wool blanket 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 a long service to all family members, and will also become a décor item for the bedroom.

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

Features:

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

The wool of the Australian merino contains lanolin - a natural substance that, when heated from body temperature, penetrates into 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, 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 and 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 is better in contact with the body, which means that the healing effect of merino wool is better. Such blankets are made by weaving, 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, rugs, bedspreads for all age categories.

Benefits

Finished products made of 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 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 fibers;
using 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 their high cost.

How to choose?

When choosing a quality Australian merino sheep wool blanket, there are several aspects to consider:

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, so it is much more profitable to take a larger baby blanket;
in the 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 to be washed frequently - once every 2-3 years.
Very often, manufacturers only allow 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 washing 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 open 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 brought 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 number 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 wool Merino 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 amount.

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 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. The best qualities are yarn without admixtures, 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. It makes things very warm, light and practical, they have excellent antibacterial properties, do not cause irritation and are perfect for young 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 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 are hand-knitted, which have been very popular lately.

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. Expensive high quality yarns, called merino yarns, are made from the combed wool of such sheep.

How do

First, let's take a look at how merino yarn is made. The wool 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 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 are valued primarily for their very thin pile (only 15-25 microns). Therefore, from the threads spun from it, you can knit both thin openwork things and warm bulky ones. The yarn is used, the reviews of which are excellent, for the manufacture of both products intended for adults and children's 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 the craftswomen, it has just a huge amount of advantages. Its advantages include:

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

Strength and lightness.

Elasticity... Products made of easy stretch and quickly take their original shape.

Ability to repel dirt.

How to care for products

In general, this material is very suitable for knitting woolen things - merino yarn. The wool of this variety is of very high quality, but the things made from it are still quite capricious. It is quite difficult to look after 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. The washed things are not squeezed out, but blotted, wrapped in a terry towel. You can dry products made from merino yarn only 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 they take several of these pairs and twist again in the same direction. There are various merino wool on sale. used for knitting winter hats, vests and sweaters. From thin, 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 freely next to each other. Therefore, the yarn is very elastic and flexible. Since merino yarn is twisted only in this way, this technology was named after it.

The opinion of the craftswomen

Merino yarn - wool, which deserves excellent reviews. The characteristics of products made from this material are really 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 straight, and the thread itself fits very well. Products from this material can be easily knitted with both knitting needles and crochet.

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

Yarn price

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

Thus, the yarn is merino (wool), the reviews of which are just wonderful - the material is really high quality and good. But of course, it is worth buying only for craftswomen who have experience in knitting woolen products. To spoil even a skein of such expensive yarn will 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, which have unique properties. Merino - what kind of wool is it and what products are your priority?

What properties does

Merino products boast many features, including:

As you can see from all of the above, a large-knitted merino blanket, a hat, linen or a pillowcase for a pillow are excellent purchases that will provide not only warmth, but also improve health and cheer 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 yarns are often used for children's clothing. It will protect the child very well from the cold, but at the same time it 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 clothing from such material, paying great attention to the thickness of the fabric and its composition. Children's clothing should absorb sweat well and prevent the child's body from freezing. At the same time, the products should not contain components that are harmful to health or that can cause allergies.

Blankets and rugs

A large knitted blanket made of real merino wool will warm both the baby and his parents in the cold season. Thick yarn is most often used to make products such as blankets or blankets. 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 linen, that is, with your own hands or in a washing machine at a temperature not exceeding 30 ° C.

Also, large knitted products can boast the following advantages:

A chunky-knit merino blanket keeps warmth much better than any other blanket.
Blankets made from thick merino yarn do not require special care.
It is very elastic, so the products stretch easily, but there is no loss of shape.
The yarn breathes well, which means that you won't have to sweat under such a blanket or thick yarn blanket.

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

Men's and women's thermal underwear

From merino or alpaca wool, the production of linen 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 of Australian merino wool.

Men's and women's underwear is the best option for those who are engaged in 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 this price is for.

What clothes can be

In addition to large-knit merino wool blankets, outerwear is made. Brands such as Woolie or Ohhio offer lightweight and very warm, chunky knits that are very popular among people in 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 are useful when hiking 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 linen on the Internet.

Yarn as a whole art

For everyone who likes to do things with their own hands or simply cannot find the right size in the store, a blanket made of large merino wool can be easily knitted with your own hands. The price of the 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 bobbins or other convenient formats.

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 additives of other materials are quite voluminous, and besides the sheep wool itself, their composition can be diluted with cotton and silk, it can 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 blanket made of merino wool in the photo, this does not mean that there are no additives of other materials in it. 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 is cheaper 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, by hand ...

Care and pricing policy

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

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

The cost of goods made of material depends on the manufacturer and a number of other parameters. For example, if Russia is listed as the country of origin 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 13,000 rubles in redistribution, but delivery is not carried out to Russia, but the Russian company "Woolie LLC" offers the same products at a much more affordable price. The assortment includes products of different colors, including red, green and many others.

Hand knitting and thick yarn

Do-it-yourself large-knitted merino plaid

Lingerie for children does not prick, warms well and boasts other advantages described above. Wool tights from the Norwegian brand Janus are also hugely popular today. If you are interested in a blanket or some other product made from the described material, you will be able to appreciate all its advantages from a photo and a detailed description.