Superfine Merino Wool Is a Great Material for Wet Felting

Super Sheep

Merino is a race of sheep bred mainly in Australia and New Zealand. It is valued especially due to its soft fleece, which is considered to be the most delicate. This is why merino wool is the most sought after by craftsmen and widely used in fashion. In my atelier I use only superfine merino wool with a single fibre’s diameter below 20 microns. It is this wool that makes my products so soft and cozy.

I love touching these fibers, working with them and wearing them when they occur to be more than just wool. With their delicacy, excellent thermal properties, strength, flexibility and antibacterial / antiallergic effect they are simply invaluable.

Properties of merino wool

Delicacy	While other types of wool may be rough and itchy, fine merino fibers are light as a feather and delicate. The touch of superfine merino wool is soothing and relaxing like a silk caress.
Excellent thermal properties	Merino sheep have always been grazed in the mountains, where temperatures vary over the year from about -22 to over 40 Celsius degrees. To cope with such difficult conditions they developed a special fleece, which helps them to accumulate heat in the winter and protects them from overheating during hot summers. That makes items felted of merino wool perfect for all seasons.
Strong & flexible fibers	Merino wool contains a lot of lanolin. With this natural wax, of a composition similar to human sebum, it is friendly to the skin. Furthermore, lanolin softens wool fibers, making them flexible and durable. This is why felted accessories can keep their shape after washing.
Antibacterial & antiallergic effect	Lanolin contained in merino wool is a natural dust cap and barrier against bacteria and mites. This is why products made of merino wool have antiallergic properties and help to prevent many afflictions.