Merino yarn: what the micron count means

Merino is a breed of fine-wool sheep. The difference from ordinary wool is fibre thickness: merino runs roughly 15 to 23 microns, noticeably finer than most other sheep. A fibre this thin cannot jab the skin hard enough to itch, which is why merino yarn does not prickle. If you are here to buy, start with the merino yarn catalogue.

Why merino feels soft

Softness in wool is measured in microns, and merino is graded by fineness. "Ultrafine" means fibre under 17.5 microns, "superfine" 17.6 to 18.5, "extrafine" up to 19.5. The lower the number, the gentler the yarn. For things worn right against the skin, knitters pick the finest grade their budget allows.

A prickly woollen garment is almost always a sign of thick fibre, not of "real wool" as such. A merino beanie will not itch your forehead even without a lining, and fine merino is the classic choice for baby knitting for exactly this reason.

A historical footnote: for centuries merino sheep were bred in Spain, and exporting them was a crime. Today most of the world's merino clip comes from Australia.

Warmth, air and moisture

Merino can absorb up to a third of its own weight in moisture while still feeling nearly dry, and it keeps insulating. Wool does not seal sweat in; it takes it into the fibre and releases it slowly. In a merino sweater you get neither a greenhouse effect nor a sudden chill after exertion: the fibre works as a buffer.

Why merino costs more than ordinary wool

Fine fibre is a small share of one sheep's fleece, and that is what you pay for. The butcher's comparison is honest: fillet costs more than shoulder not because the cow tried harder, but because there is little fillet on a carcass. Ultrafine merino is a few per cent of the clip, and sorting fleece by micron count costs money on top. Hand-dyeing adds another layer of work, and of price.

Superwash: what it changes

"Merino superwash" on the band means the fibre has been treated so the scales no longer catch on each other. Such yarn will not felt and survives the washing machine. The rules stay strict: cool water, gentle cycle, ideally in a mesh bag. Dry flat only. A tumble dryer is the fastest way to own a felted thing three sizes smaller.

Untreated merino has two enemies: hot water and carelessness. Together they shrink and felt the fabric, permanently. The good news: a crumpled garment refreshes easily with steam. Ironing is best avoided, since heat and pressure can flatten the fibre.

What to knit from merino

Anything that touches the body: hats, cowls, socks, mittens, sweaters and cardigans, baby clothes, blankets. The yarn stretches and springs back, so fitted shapes and ribbing come out lively. Merino also blends well: with alpaca for fluff, with silk for sheen, with cotton for coolness.

The Merry Merino line by Kremke Soul Wool

The fourth line, The Merry Merino, is sport weight: 100% wool, GOTS-certified, 70 m per 50 g ball, 3-4 mm needles, 35 colours.

Could not find the yarn you had in mind? For most of the yarns we carry there is a substitute finder, matched by fibre, metreage and gauge.