What is Merino Wool ?
The Merino is an economically influential breed of sheep prized for its wool. The breed is originally from central Spain (Castille), and its wool was highly valued already in the Middle Ages. Today, Merinos are still regarded as having some of the finest and softest wool of any sheep. Poll Merinos have no horns (or very small stubs, known as scurs), and horned Merino rams have long, spiral horns which grow close to the head.
The Merino is an excellent forager and very adaptable. It is bred predominantly for its wool, and its carcase size is generally smaller than that of sheep bred for meat. South African Meat Merino (SAMM), American Rambouillet and German Merinofleischschaf have been bred to balance wool production and carcase quality.
Characteristics
Merino wool is finely crimped and soft. Staples are commonly 65–100 mm (2.6–3.9 in) long. A Saxon Merino produces 3–6 kg (6.6–13 lb) of greasy wool a year, while a good quality Peppin Merino ram produces up to 18 kg (40 lb). Merino wool is generally less than 24 micron (µm) in diameter. Basic Merino types include: strong (broad) wool 23–24.5 µm, medium wool is 19.6–22.9 µm, fine 18.6–19.5 µm, superfine 15–18.5 µm and ultra fine 11.5–15 µm. Ultra fine wool is suitable for blending with other fibers such as silk and cashmere. New Zealand produces lightweight knits made from Merino wool and possum fur.
The term merino is widely used in the textile industries, but it cannot be taken to mean the fabric in question is actually 100% merino wool from a Merino strain bred specifically for its wool. The wool of any Merino sheep, whether reared in Spain or elsewhere, is "merino wool". However, not all merino sheep produce wool suitable for clothing, and especially for clothing worn next to the skin. This depends on the particular strain of the breed. Merino sheep bred for meat do not produce a fleece with a fine enough staple for this purpose.
Merino wool is common in high-end, performance athletic wear. Typically meant for use in running, hiking, skiing, mountain climbing, cycling, and in other types of outdoor aerobic exercise, these clothes command a premium over synthetic fabrics. Several properties contribute to merino's popularity for exercise clothing, compared to wool in general and to other types of fabric:
Merino is excellent at regulating body temperature, especially when worn against the skin. The wool provides some warmth, without overheating the wearer. It draws moisture (sweat) away from the skin, a phenomenon known as wicking. The fabric is slightly moisture repellent (keratin fibers are hydrophobic at one end and hydrophilic at the other), allowing the user to avoid the feeling of wetness.
Like cotton, wool absorbs water (up to 1/3 its weight), but, unlike cotton, wool retains warmth when wet, thus helping wearers avoid hypothermia after strenuous workouts (climbs) or weather events. Like most wools, merino contains lanolin, which has antibacterial properties. Merino is one of the softest types of wool available, due to finer fibers and smaller scales. Merino has an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio compared to other wools, in part because the smaller fibers have microscopic cortices of dead air, trapping body heat similar to the way a sleeping bag warms its occupant.
10 Things That Make Merino Wool Great
Merino wool is just one of the many types of wool available for making blankets and other warm textile products. However, there are many reasons that merino wool is the number one choice for these types of products. Take a look at these ten reasons that merino wool is so great:
1] It is soft to the touch. One of the main reasons that merino wool is so attractive for products that are going to touch the skin is because it feels so good to the touch! It is a very soft type of wool that is cozy and comfortable. In fact it’s one of the softest types of wool available.
2] It isn’t excessively fuzzy. The one drawback of some of the other types of soft wool that you can find today is that they are really, really fuzzy. While they’re nice to the touch, they tend to shed all over everything. This can get frustrating. Merino wool is nice because it has that great soft feeling but isn’t excessively fuzzy and so it doesn’t shed a lot.
3] Merino wool isn’t itchy. Many other natural fibers tend to be itchy. This is uncomfortable for adults and can be intolerable for children. This isn’t a problem with merino wool. This type of wool is actually made from keratin, the same thing that human skin is made from, so there’s no uncomfortable itch to contend with. It feels totally natural.
4] Merino wool regulates temperature really well. What this means is that an item will be cool when it is warm out and warm when it is cool out. For this reason merino well is sometimes used in the making of exercise clothing! At a more practical level, it means that the blankets made from merino wool tend to be comfortable all year long.
5] Merino is a highly absorbent type of wool. It actually can hold a lot of moisture before it begins to feel damp. Even if it does get wet, merino wool won’t get cold (in contrast to cotton).
6] It is an affordable type of wool. This means that the products that are made from it can also be affordable. That’s certainly important to most people!
7] It can easily be blended with other wools as well as synthetic materials. There are many reasons that this may be done. For example, there is a cashmere-merino blend that is particularly soft and nice for making luxurious items. On the other hand, mixing merino wool with polyester or another synthetic material may make it easier to wash.
8] Merino actually has anti-bacterial properties! It contains lanolin, which is where these properties come from. That’s a nice perk for when this type of wool is used to make items for babies and children.
9] It is naturally odor-resistant. That means that you don’t have to wash merino wool products constantly because they stay basically clean for a long time even with frequent use. They naturally smell nice!
10] Merino wool is fire-resistant. This is one of the least flammable natural fibers. If you want a blanket that you can set near a campfire with then choose one made with merino wool!
