What is merino yarn?
Merino yarn is used to make wool clothing that doesn’t itch. You can find this widely available specialty yarn in shops that sell quality wool. Unlike alpaca or mohair, merino handles easily, making it a good yarn for new knitters.OriginsMerino yarn comes from merino sheep. Known to the ancient Phoenicians, this breed was commercially developed for yarn production by the Spanish.Commercial IntroductionToday, most merino sheep are raised in New Zealand and Australia. Most of these sheep are used in wool production, although some are used for meat.PropertiesThis wool is very desirable because the fibers are very fine compared to wool from other breeds of sheep. Most fibers are between 19 and 24 microns in diameter.VariantsUltra-fine merino wool fibers are between 11.5 and 14 microns in diameter. These fibers are mixed with silk or cashmere to make specialty yarns.UsesMerino wool is used to make warm, light-weight knits.
