Merino wool is often touted as being superior to regular types of wool, but what is it that makes it better? And what do we mean when we talk about non-merino wools?
What is merino wool?
There are actually thousands of types of wool, merino being just one of them. When we ask whether merino is better to wear than ‘wool’, we are comparing it against the other most common types of wool that are used for clothing. However, merino is in fact one of the most common types of wool used to make clothes today. Like angora or cashmere, it is named after the breed of sheep from which it is derived, but it is not considered premium wool.
Benefits of merino wool
Clothes made from merino wool tend to be lighter than clothes made from other types of wool. This is a huge benefit as some woollen clothing can be heavy. Merino is also considered softer against the skin, much like cashmere and angora. The fibres used to make merino wool are finer than in other wools. As a consequence, clothing is often less itchy.
One major advantage is that merino wool dries faster than other thicker or rougher wools. Not only does it help you dry your clothing out quickly after getting wet in the rain, but it helps wick sweat away as vapour. Merino is also more breathable, making it a great option for outdoor sporting activities, when you need clothing that is soft, and warm, but still breathable.
Because of its soft nature, you’ll often find that crochet kits, such as those available at www.woolcouturecompany.com/ come with merino wool yarn or other easy-to-use yarns that are made from blending merino with acrylic wool.
As you can see, merino wool offers plenty of advantages over other, thicker or coarser types of wool. Its finer nature makes it lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying and it is used widely in the clothing industry. As well as clothing, you’ll find merino in crochet and knitting yarns. It’s especially good for projects such as baby toys and blankets.