Merinos are called a special breed of fine-fleece sheep, characterized by high quality wool. Previously, such animals were bred only in Greece, Italy and Spain. Today they are grown on all continents. There are farms specializing in this and in our country. From the combed wool of such sheep, expensive yarns of high quality, called merino, are made.
How do
First, let's see how merino yarn is made. The wool of sheep of this breed is very expensive. Therefore, in the manufacture of yarn to reduce the final price, it is usually blended with either natural silk or cashmere. It turns out also expensive, but at the same time more or less affordable material. New Zealand residents can also knit yarn made from merino wool mixed with possum fur.
Main characteristics
The choice of colors for all types of this material is very wide. Merino sheep wool is valued primarily for its very thin pile (only 15-25 microns). Therefore, from the threads spun from it, you can knit both delicate openwork things and warm bulk. Merino yarn (wool) is used, reviews of which are excellent, for the manufacture of both products intended for adults and children's items. Sweaters, hats and socks, knitted from it, do not cause allergies and do not irritate the skin at all.
Main advantages
Merino yarn is wool, the reviews of the craftswomen have earned almost enthusiastic, there are simply a huge amount of advantages. Its advantages include:
Hypoallergenicity and the presence of antibacterial properties. Merino sheep wool contains lanolin. That is why products made of it do not cause allergies and can be used for the manufacture of children's things. Since such products practically do not retain moisture, the bacteria simply have nothing to develop on them.
Strength and lightness.
Elasticity . Products made from merino yarn are easily stretched and quickly take their original shape.
The ability to repel dirt.
How to care for products
In general, for knitting woolen things, this material is very suitable - merino yarn. The wool of this variety is very high quality, however, the things made from it are still quite capricious. Caring for them is quite difficult. They are erased exclusively by hand. In this case, you need to use only high-quality soft powders designed specifically for wool. If desired, such products can be rinsed in cool water with the addition of a tablespoon of grape vinegar.
Soaking such things is possible, but not for a long time. The washed items are not squeezed, but soaked, wrapped in a terry towel. Merino products can only be dried in a horizontal position.
Twist method
Any woolen yarn intended for knitting clothes, including merino, does not consist of one, but several threads. They are interconnected in different ways. Threads from merino wool are first twisted in two. Then take a few of these pairs and again twist in the same direction. On sale there is a different merino wool. Thick yarn is used to knit winter hats, vests and sweaters. For example, a light turtleneck, mittens, leggings, etc. can be made from a thin one. The number of pairs used in the manufacture of yarn is usually indicated on the label. In the manufacture of the material in this way, the threads lie next to each other freely. Therefore, the yarn is very elastic and flexible. Since merino yarn is twisted only in this way, this technology was called by its name.
Opinion of the craftswomen
Merino yarn - wool, reviews deserving wonderful. The characteristics of products made from this material are really just excellent. Their advantages, in addition to those listed above, include softness and aesthetic appeal. Knitting things from such wool, according to all the craftswomen without exception, is very easy. The loops are smooth, and the thread itself fits very well. Products from this material are easily knitted with knitting needles and crochet.
In general, this craftswoman’s yarn is actually considered very high quality. Some of the disadvantages of merino material include only its high cost.
Yarn price
A 100-gram skein of merino yarn mixed with acrylic costs about 1200-1300 rubles. Of course, it's pretty expensive. For example, a children's sweater for a girl 125 cm tall takes 2-3 of these skeins of 100 g each. Thus, it can cost about 2500-3500 rubles. Natural yarn (100% merino wool) is even more expensive - about 1700-2100 p. per skein. Of course, things come out of it very expensive. However, they justify their price with excellent operational characteristics.
Thus, merino yarn (wool), reviews of which are simply wonderful - the material is really high-quality and good. But of course, only craftswomen with experience in knitting woolen items should buy it. To spoil even a skein of such expensive yarn will be very disappointing.