ULTIMATE WOOL APPAREL
What Is Merino Wool?
Merino wool is often a component in knitted garments. One of the highest quality wools, merino wool is grown from merino sheep all over the world.
The wool has a storied background, with one country ultimately laying claim to having the original sheep and guarding the line zealously.
Where Wool Comes From
Merino wool comes from merino sheep, originally the Saxon merino sheep. These sheep produce very fine, soft wool that is prized by knitters and manufacturers to create fine garments. Merino wool wicks sweat from your skin to keep you dry. Its properties keep you cool when it's hot and warms you when it's cold, which makes merino wool ideal for any weather. In fact, before the advent of synthetic fabrics, merino wool was used to create sporting attire.
Merino is soft enough for babies.
History
Originally from Spain, Saxon merinos were imported to Australia and America during the Napoleonic Wars in the early 1800s. Here, the breeds changed. American breeders selected sheep with the best production, not the softest wool, to meet production standards. The breed got bigger and the wool less fine, which resulted in lesser quality and the American merino lines deteriorated.
The Australians kept the Saxon merino line pure, breeding the sheep for quality instead of high production. Therefore, Australia is known for having the original (and best) Saxon merino wool.
American Merinos
Serious American merino wool growers, as well as others who raise merino, acquire sheep from Australia. Today, there are several American farms producing fine merino wool, including wool yarn sold to knitters.
Fun Fact
Australians are fiercely protective of their merino sheep, where they're called "national treasures." Until 1986, Australians banned the export of all merino sheep. Now they allow only the rams to be sold. Breeders in other countries have to use their own ewes.
Allergies
Many people who find wool to be itchy can wear merino. Merino is very soft and fine.
People who think they're wool-allergic are usually sensitive to one of two things: the lanolin or the dyes in the wool. If you can wear regular lipstick, which contains lanolin, then you're not allergic to the wool, and it could be the dyes causing the reaction. In this case, look for natural dyes or merino marked "all-organic."
If you are allergic to lanolin, look for merino that has the lanolin washed out of it. It should be noted that trace amounts can remain, however.
By Margaret Dilloway
References:
Catskill Merino Sheep Farm
Morehouse Farm Merino Wool
Resources:
Lanolin Allergies
Why We Use Merino Wool
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