What You Need to Know About Merino Wool Yarn

Merino wool yarn is made from the fleece of a merino sheep’s wool. The merino sheep is known to have very soft coats, so they can produce incredible fleeces, which are perfect for knitting. That’s because merino wool has a microscopic diameter, typically about one-third to one-tenth of the thickness of human hair. One thing you need to know about yarns is that if the diameter is smaller, then the fabric is softer and less scratchy.

Merino Wool Yarn: What is Merino wool?

Merino wool has the finest grades of wool, made from the merino sheep. It is very popular because of its softness, and the level of comfort it provides to the skin. Thanks to the technology today, we can  now see and select the finest merino fibers.

Lustrous merino wool creates fabric you can wear on your skin without feeling uncomfortable. It is so soft, and provides an exceptional distinctive style. In the knitting industry, the term merino has the same meaning as an article made from the best soft wool. In fact, extrafine merino is a super premade wool that people use in high-quality knits.

Merino Wool Yarn: What are the varieties of the Merino sheep?

1. Poll merino. Poll merinos are as comparatively new addition to the Merino sheep breed. People breed them because they are easy to handle – thanks to the lack of horns on the rams.
2. Foothill merino. Foothill merinos come from breeding an American-bred merino with a Saxon strain, known for their fine wool.
3. Boorla merino. Boorla merinos have a long breading season, and are extremely fertile.

Merino Wool Yarn: What are the different grades of Merino wool?

The finest clothing and products come from the highest grades of Merino wool. Merino sheep can produce wool that have a diameter of less than 24 microns. Most of the wool that are made into clothing have diameters of 11.5 microns to 24 microns. The rest of them are used to make other textiles such as insulation, blankets, and furnishings. The lower the number of microns, the more expensive and the softer the Merino wool is.

The list below should serve as your guide:

• 22.6 microns to 24 microns – strong Merino
• 20.6 microns to 22.5 microns – medium Merino
• 19.6 microns to 20.5 microns – fine and medium Merino
• 18.6 microns to 19.5 microns – fine Merino (also called extra fine Merino)
• 17.6 microns to 18.5 microns – superfine Merino
• less than 17.5 microns – ultrafine Merino

Ultrafine Merino

Ultrafine wool is the finest wool in the world, and it has a micron range of 16.1 to 17.5. This Merino wool yarn produces silky soft and a very light fabric you can wear on your skin. This wool is perfect for very light-weight underwear, knitwear, and other premium-suiting fabrics. Being a fine light-weight fabric is the reason why it’s the best for any season. It emphasizes the natural benefits of this fiber: warm during the winter season, and cool during the summer season.

Fine Medium

Fine medium wool has a micron range of 19.6 to 20.5, and the yarn it produces is perfect to be used in medium-heavy gauge knitwear. It maintains its durability and strength for outerwear garment use, while having a soft feel.

Merino Wool Yarn: What are the characteristics of Merino Wool?

1. Merino wool is softer and smoother compared to traditional wool. It took thousands of years and evolution, as well as selective breeding until the Merino sheep started to produce superfine wool fiber. Merino wool products with superfine and fine grades are much more superior and finer, compared to the traditional wool, thanks to its softness and smoothness. While the fabric contains more fibers, it traps tiny air pocket, locking in body heat, and serves as a super insulator.
2. Merino wool is breathable. Anyone who wears Merino wool will not have any problems with breathing because its individual fibers absorb up to 30% of their own weight in moisture. They wick moisture away from the body, so whoever wears it will stay comfortable and dry, regardless of the temperature. This helps regulate the body temperature, and keeps the wearer warm during the cold weather, and cool during the hot weather.
3. Merino wool becomes warm naturally. This unique quality makes the Merino wool the best material for children’s undergarments. A sweat-prone child will feel comfortable wearing Merino wool because the wool breathes freely. Also, the child will not feel cold or sweaty even when damp. Merino wool is also the best for children playing quietly. Being the softest wool in the world, it doesn’t cause allergic reactions, making it the perfect wool for kids with allergic skin.
4. It is elastic. Merino wool is also elastic, just like other traditional wool, thanks to its extremely fine nature. This nature enhances its high-performance qualities.
5. Merino wool is odor-resistant. Because of the anti-microbial properties the Merino wool has, it doesn’t allow the clothing to smell bad, unlike other traditional clothing. This is another big advantage over the synthetic fabrics.

Other characteristics:

• durable
• fire-resistant
• anti-static

All these characteristics make Merino wool the perfect wool for a range of products, from performance-wear to fine wool suiting.

Why Choose Merino Wool Yarn?

Synthetic fabrics have the same performance as Merino Wool, so why pick Merino over them? Good question, but this isn’t entirely true. While it’s easy to say that both are equally good, superfine Merino wool provides superior overall climate control and moisture absorption. In addition to that, Merino wool, in general, offers higher natural UV protection, compared to many other fibers.

Also, Merino wool is popular because of the warmth it offers. It serves as a condition buffer, where you can wrap yourself into it in a cold weather, and keep yourself warm. It manages the buildup of moisture vapor internally, and keeps you drier for a longer period.

Merino wool is the best choice when it comes to performance and qualities. This holiday season, show your family and friends how special they are to you by making Merino garments with love. Check out the best Merino wool yarn for your next knitting and crocheting project at Darn Good Yarn.