Where Does Merino Wool Come from?

Over the years, you may have been using merino wool products because you have already tested its capacity in wicking away moisture and versatility in all weather conditions. 

Now, you may be wondering where it is made of or where it came from? You may also be wondering what makes merino wool and how it is made. 

Merino wool came from merino sheep. The wool of merino sheep is thinner and softer than regular wool. Merino sheep were domesticated in New Zealand and Australia. Its fleece can survive in natural environments with temperatures as low as -20°C in the winter to 35°C in summer, making it better than other wool.

No wonder that merino wool is expensive since it has greater capacity compared to regular wool. Merino wool is renowned for its softness, purity, natural wicking capacity, and its versatility in all weather conditions. 

Merino's natural control capacity makes it unique that synthetic materials can't do.

What Animal Makes Merino Wool?

Merino sheep are what makes merino wool. This breed of sheep offers the finest wool for luxury apparel due to its natural capacity to wick away moisture and natural insulators that can adapt to various weather conditions. Merino sheep produces the world's softest and finest wool that has genuine benefits.

There are a lot of Australian merino wool growers producing scales of merino wool using sustainable practices. The process of merino wool production is all-natural since merino wool is a natural fiber coming from merino sheep's wool. 

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There is no chemical being used in this wool. It is grown in a natural environment that is sustainable compared to synthetic materials that use man-made chemicals.

Merino wool is arguably the oldest animal fiber that composes natural components that wicks away the moisture, to keep away odor, and is a natural insulator. Merino wool is grown with merino sheep, making it environment friendly since it uses less water than cotton production and other synthetic-made products.

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Merino wool grows in the cluster on the merino sheep, which are very elastic in nature. The amount of crimps in the merino wool determines its quality. Crimps are the number of lengths the fiber possesses in each unit length. The more blends in the wool, the finer either crimps are; the longer the fiber is long, its spinning capacity is better. 

Merino sheep produce quality merino fibers that are longer than the typical wool. Merino wool is good in moisture-wicking capacity and is much stronger than other wool. This makes it ideal for athletes and sporty types. Due to its natural wicking capacity, it does not retain odors; it is antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, and naturally fire retardant.

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You may consider merino sheep as a gift to humans, not only because it produces naturally made wool but also because the components of merino wool are incomparable to other synthetic materials. It benefits a lot of people, especially those who do extreme outdoor activities and athletes. 

Though this may be expensive, your purchase is worth the cost because there are no synthetic made materials that can compare to the natural benefits of merino wool.

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As a side note, I'd like to provide you details of websites that have fantastic selections of Authentic Merino Wool Clothing... (from socks to pants, shirts, and cardigans/sweaters) I can't rate one higher than the other. They each have a fantastic story and all offer top quality and good value merino wool apparel.

How Is Merino Wool Made?

Merino wool is naturally made from merino sheep. However, the production involves growing the merino sheep, shearing, carding, spinning, weaving, knitting, and finishing stages. Merino wool is a raw product, and there are processes to have the end product. These include the sheep to shop process.

The process of how merino wool comes from various stages of production processes. Here's how:

Step 1. Merino Sheep Growing

In growing merino sheep, you need to give them reasonable access to water, safely fenced fields or pasture, and correct flock management. Merino wool should be taken care of to produce a good amount and quality of merino wool.

Merino sheep need a steady amount of clean water. They can drink approximately 2 gallons of water per day, and they may need more during hot seasons. Ensure that the water is algae-free, and it's best if it has free access to a water source.

It is best to ensure the fields and pasture where the merino sheep stays. You may be surprised that merino sheep are agile; they may squeeze into the small hole in the fence, jump over short fences, or even climb walls. In some cases, sheep are stuck on the fence gap since they won't fit.

Flock management is also essential to keep your sheep intact. Sheep are flock animals and tend to keep to one another. Moreover, this also includes proper management and handlings of the sheep to keep them in good condition.

Step. 2 Wool Shearing

When the merino wool is already good for sheering, the shearing process can now start. When the fleece is sheared, it is then sorted based on the quality of fibers. Wools may vary; some may be coarse and rough if exposed to constant abrasions and soft when exposed less.

The sheared merino wool is then scoured in cleansing agents like water, soap, soda ash, and alkalis to remove dirt, sand, and grease. However, the cleaning process may vary depending on the manufacturer.

Step 3. Carding

When the wool is formed and tangles together, carding follows. The process involves passing the fleece into metal teeth to separate the fibers into long continuous threads and then blending into slivers in successive groups to form a wool top.

Step 4. Spinning

After carding, the top is spun by drawing out, twisting, bending the fibers to increase their strength and length. Spinning can be done in two processes which are Worsted Spinning and Woolen Spinning.

Step 5. Weaving or Knitting Process

Weaving or knitting is the process of converting the fibers into fabric. Weaving is the process of creating a smooth and consistent fabric using mechanical looms. On the other hand, knitting involves interlocking loops to make the fabric.

Step 6. Finishing Stages

The finishing stages involve dying the wool. Also, it includes filling, which is a process of immersing the fabric into the water for crabbing. The method of crabbing interlocks the fibers to protect against shrinking. After these steps, the material is now ready to be created into various clothing, sweaters, and socks.

Takeaways

Merino wool came from merino sheep, which provide natural benefits that synthetic-made fabrics can't. These merino sheep are raised we'll to produce good merino wool. This might be expensive, but you can never go wrong in purchasing one. 

The production includes various steps and processes to enjoy the benefits of merino wool in your extreme adventures.

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