Merino Wool

Characteristics Of Merino Yarn

The soft feel and bouncy texture you get from merino yarn makes it perfect for so many projects. For many it is their “go to yarn” for baby knits as it is prickle free and is often available in superwash making its care easy. Merino yarn is also great for any garment that will be worn next to the skin. Hats are a favourite of ours to make using merino as the soft yarn against your forehead is a pleasure to wear as well as being warm. 

Benefits of Merino Yarn

Merino yarn has such soft fibres it is virtually prickle free for even sensitive skin. The smooth yarn is also great for keeping you warm but also wicks away any moisture and is even anti-static!

Merino yarn is a sustainable natural fibre that is biodegradable. 

Care of Merino Yarn

Merino yarn is relatively easy to care for. Knits retain their shape well and it is easy to block with its great elasticity. Merino yarn is also odour resistant so shouldn’t need to be washed after every wear.  

We recommend you hand wash your merino knits but superwash merino can also be machine washed on a gentle cycle-great for any new parents!

All knitwear should be washed with gentle wool wash and dried flat away from direct sunlight. 

Selecting the right yarn

When selecting yarns it's important to be aware all yarns handle differently and will give varied textures and drape. This is why it's important to knit or crochet a gauge swatch. This allows you to both check the feel of the fabric and the needle size to use (again all knitters have a slightly different tension)

For more information about substituting yarns click here.

For more information about gauge swatching click here.

If you need more help finding a yarn for your project feel free to send us a message, and we’ll get back to you with our expert advice or even pop into your local store.

FAQs

Is merino wool better than regular wool?

Merino wool is grown from the Merino sheep breed. It is a soft fibre with a finer grade compared to wool from other breeds

What is a disadvantage of using merino wool?

Merino yarn can be delicate and with excessive wear and use, holes can form. Merino yarns are generally spun a little looser than other fibres to maintain a soft, drapey yarn and as a result can result in pilling. This pilling should reduce with use and proper depilling of the garment. We recommend  

What is 100% merino wool?

100% Merino wool comes from Merino Sheep. These sheep need shearing at least once a yarn as their wool doesn’t stop growing. Merino sheep can be found all over the world, with Australia being one of the largest exporters of merino fleece in the world.

What is the difference between cashmere and merino wool?

While cashmere may be warmer and softer than merino wool, it is less durable and significantly more expensive. Patterns that call for cashmere yarns can easily be made using merino yarn as an alternative