Merino Wool: Everything You Need to Know

Merino wool, the very word, sparks inspiration in knitters and crocheters. It's not just a material for yarn crafts; it's a canvas for creativity. When they hear the word 'merino,' yarn crafters imagine a feeling of softness and endless possibilities. Merino wool is perfect for all kinds of knitting and crochet projects, big or small. Merino wool yarn for knitted or crocheted garments is simply the best. And for good reason: merino wool is versatile between its thermoregulatory properties, natural composition, and respect for the environment. In this blog, let's walk you through history, care, maintenance, and all the wonders you can make with merino wool. If you share our passion, you'll find yourself reaching for merino wool for all your knitting and crocheting projects.

Merino Wool: Origin & History

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Merino wool comes from a unique breed of sheep. The first Merino sheep originated from Spain's famed Royal Merino Flocks. Merino sheep breeding is predominant in the alpine pastures of Australia, accounting for around 80% of world production, followed by New Zealand and South Africa. However, it is possible to find farms anywhere in the world.

Merino wool yarn is one of the finest varieties. Almost three times thinner than traditional wool, it is famed for softness. The anti-microbial nature of the wool suits all skin types, even the most sensitive ones. It also offers elasticity and resistance that works for all kinds of projects. Extrafine merino wool is the purest form and the softest version, but with innovation, new yarn blends are being introduced. For instance, merino-silk yarn is an elegant variety with the warmth of wool and silk's light softness, making it perfect for delicate projects such as lacey shawls and light scarves. On the other hand, the merino-polyamide yarn has the best of wool, durability, and stretchiness, making it ideal for items that need to withstand wear and tear, such as socks and baby garments.

The best thing about merino wool is that it offers the widest range of hand-dyed yarns. Skilled artists who understand the mercurial nature of dyes use merino wool skeins in small batches to create a unique and vibrant color range. Wool takes up colors beautifully, resulting in vibrant shades and variegated hues, ensuring that each skein is unique. Another advantage is that merino wool expands from fingering-weight yarn to popular DK yarn and worsted-weight to other bulkier varieties.

Why choose Merino wool yarn for knitting and crochet projects?

Whether you knit or crochet, you can work with all kinds of yarn. Merino wool is a popular choice for many reasons, but here's a list of why you must choose it, especially when thinking of making your favorite sweater, socks, hats, or snuggly blanket.

All-Season Option

Merino wool yarn is a choice for all seasons: summer, spring, autumn, or winter. An ideal temperature-regulating material, the fibers of merino wool help regulate the wearer's body temperature and, therefore, protect you from the cold in winter and the heat in summer: a real all-season material! Plus, you can make whatever you wish with the range of lightweight to bulky yarns! Stunning, isn't it?  

Soft and Pleasant Fiber

When you think of merino wool, you think of softness against the skin. Why so? Merino fiber can be up to three times thinner than human hair. The thin fibers of merino wool (generally between 25 and 16 microns for the finest) thus prevent any unpleasant sensation.

Durable and cleans easily

While delicate and utterly soft, merino wool is surprisingly easy to care for and maintain. The wool fiber does not allow sweat, stains, soil, and other dirt to embed but remains on the surface. Thus, merino wool is easy to wash and care for and stays the same for years.

Wash and Care Instructions

The extraordinary wool variety is easy to wash and care for. A quick wash in cold water with a gentle cleanser is sufficient. Dry flat and the wool becomes brand new.

Merino wool yarns are also available in machine-washable varieties. However, be sure to ALWAYS use cool water and set it on the gentle cycle. Do not put it in the dryer. Lay flat to dry.

What to Knit or Crochet with Merino Wool?     

With so many extraordinary qualities, merino wool yarn is a fabulous choice. If you haven't knitted or crocheted with Merino wool yarn before, you are in for a treat! It is smooth, soft, and delightfully springy.

Think of sweaters and cardigans for all seasons, socks and hats for all sizes, and shawls, scarves, and blankets in every size or dimension. It is a canvas to explore all your possibilities.

Symfonie Yarns offers a curated collection of merino wool yarns and blends. Viva is a range of extrafine merino wool yarn in DK weight in 80+ semisolid shades and variegated hues that suit all kinds of knitting and crochet projects. Terra in fingering weight is a beloved sock yarn in a merino-polyamide blend that enhances durability, offering 50+ color options. Bella is the worsted-weight yarn range in extrafine merino wool in around 50+ shades. Lastly, Luna is a DK-weight merino-silk blend offering 16 shades that shimmer in the light. Explore the hand-dyed yarns and get ready to knit and crochet masterpieces.