Merino - yarn, beloved all over the world

An amazing breed of Australian Merino sheep with fine wool has given the name to the production of the world-famous yarn of the same name. Merino - the yarn is unique. The article is devoted to it. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of merino yarn, positioned today in the market by various manufacturers.

The breed of these sheep, originally bred in Spain, is today more prevalent in the Australian continent. Merino thread is characterized by excellent quality worsted wool, which is the basis of the thread. For its production, wool is taken, growing only in certain parts of the body of the sheep - on the stomach and withers. It does not exceed 25 microns in the cross section of the hair and has an enviable elasticity due to the growth direction.

Yarn Merino: classification according to hair thickness

Merino yarn producers have conventionally divided the fiber into four categories:

• 1st - "Merino", occupying more than three quarters of the total production. The thickness of the hair of this subgroup is 20-22.5 mkr. Merino, the yarn of this class, is the most democratic, moderate in price and is intended primarily for machine knitting. Of the wool of this subgroup, yarn is also produced for hand knitting, the cost is slightly higher for the machine.

• 2nd - "Superthin" fiber with a thickness of 18-20 mk. The wool of this class is 15% of the world's production.

• 3rd - "Extra-thin" fleece - even finer, its thickness is 16-17 mk, and the production volume - 5-7%.

• the so-called summer wool is included in the 4th subgroup of the most fine wool (14-15.5 mk). Merino, the yarn of the summer subgroup, is produced in small quantities - only 0.1%. This is a very expensive thread that goes for the manufacture of high-quality expensive knitwear and fabrics.

Wool, the thickness of which exceeds the parameters required for these subgroups, is processed into yarn for manual and machine knitting, the cost of which is lower, and the quality is excellent. For example, a thick yarn merino for knitting on knitting needles is valued by craftsmen no less than elite categories.

Advantages

One of the most important advantages of merino yarn is the natural color of the hair - bright white. A gentle long fiber absolutely does not irritate the skin of a person, even the most sensitive one. That is why yarn merino - an excellent raw material for making children's clothing. It does not cause unpleasant sensations when wearing knitwear in people with allergic manifestations or very sensitive skin.

Merino - yarn, combining high thermostatic properties and elasticity.

Made from merino-fiber fiber products perfectly hold the form, do not stretch and do not sit down, and with due care do not lose consumer and commodity qualities for many years.

Due to its structure merino wool is breathable: the air bubbles retained in the villas create a peculiar thermal layer and ensure a constant air exchange, neutralizing the greenhouse effect. Merino yarn is able to quickly absorb and evaporate moisture from the surface of the product, maintaining its thermal insulation properties under physical stress and preventing the possibility of subcooling.

Both thin and thick yarn merino is impeccable in knitting, it does not require any base or constituent fibers.

disadvantages

Merino wool has practically no drawbacks. It can be considered a minus only a fairly high price for yarn and knitwear from 100% Merino fiber. It was the reason that many manufacturers are trying to reduce the cost of yarn by adding synthetic fibers. Blended yarns, for example, merino with acrylic, are produced in large batches, and there is always a demand for them. However, to compete with natural wool, no mixed fiber can - as a rule, the presence of yarn synthetics reduces both the cost and quality.

Features of care of products from merino

Care for products made from merino, does not differ from caring for clothing from any kind of woolen yarn. Gentle hand washing with soft or special detergents and drying in straightened form on a horizontal surface is the guarantee of long service of products made from such fibers as yarn merino. The responses of recognized masters of knitting and ordinary consumers agree that excellent things from merino need careful care.