Best Merino Wool Blanket

Wool is one of the oldest fibers known to man, but it is one that will never go out of style. Used over and over again in the bedding and clothing industry, the advantages brought forth by wool are unsurpassed, with Merino wool offering even more benefits compared to regular wool. Today, we’re going to learn more about this wonder fiber and then explore some of the best Merino wool blankets currently available on the market.

Best Merino Wool Blanket

Merino Wool History

The Merino is a sheep breed that is characterized by its fine soft wool. During the 18th century, flocks were sent to various European countries, including Hungary, France, the Netherlands, and Saxony. The Merino has gained widespread acceptance throughout the world. Numerous breeds and variants have been developed from the original type, including the Booroola Merino and the Delaine Merino.

The origin of the Merino breed can be traced back to when North African sheep started being imported. It is believed that this practice was carried out in the 12th century in Extremadura. The first theory states that North African rams helped improve the breed, while the second claims that it originated from an early stock of North African sheep.

Sheep were not considered important in the Islamic Caliphates of Cordoba. During the time of the Marinids, which is when the nomadic Zenata Berber tribe had vast sheep flocks in what would eventually become Morocco, they did not have a lot of control over the animals. They may have brought new breeds into Spain, but there is also no evidence that they practiced selective breeding.

The second theory states that the Merino breed was created with a strong Spanish heritage. This is supported by the absence of definite Merino wool in the country before the 15th century. It was also possible that the churro, which was the main native breed in Spain before the Roman times, was crossed with a fine wool breed.
Even if Spain exported wool to Italy, the Low Countries, and England in the 13th and early 14th centuries, it was only used to produce cheap clothes. By the mid-15th century, Spain was acknowledged for its fine wool.

Until the 16th century, the best English wool was not as fine as modern Merino wool. During the 13th and early 14th century, most Spanish wools were used for making cheap, coarse and light fabrics. Later in the period, similar wool was exported from the Castilian ports of San Sebastian and Santander.

Spain had a virtual monopoly on the fine wool market during the 15th and 16th centuries. This was partly due to the fact that most of England’s wool was woven and made into textiles by the 16th century. Many of the Castilian Merino flocks were owned by nobles or the church. Although Alfonso X believed that granting the urban elite transhumant rights would create additional income for the royals, he was not able to do so.

The transhumant sheep lived in the southern Spanish plains and the northern highlands during winter and summer. They migrated from Castile and Len each year and were controlled by the Mesta. The three strains that became the world’s first Merino flocks were the Royal Escurial, the Negretti and the Paula. Among the studs from the US that were highly important were the Aguires, Mantarcosm and Infantado.

There are now two populations in Spain, one of which is the commercial Merino flocks, which are located in Extremadura. The other is the historical Spanish Merino strain, which was developed and conserved in a center near Cordoba. The commercial flock shows considerable genetic diversity, which is probably due to the cross-breeding of non-Spanish Merino breeds.

In 1765, the Germans crossed the Spanish Merino with the Saxon sheep in order to develop a fine type of Merino. By 1804, the region had more than four million Saxon sheep. In 1802, David Humphreys, the US Ambassador to Spain, reintroduced the Vermont strain of sheep into North America through the use of rams and ewes from Portugal. The Napoleonic wars almost wiped out the Spanish Merino industry. In 1810, the ban on the export of live animals was lifted.

Advantages of Merino Wool

Needless to say, Merino wool brings forth all the advantages that you get from wool as a fabric overall, including:

The fact that it’s natural

Merino wool is made from natural compounds and amino acid proteins, resulting in a renewable type of fiber, with each sheep producing four to five pounds of wool each year. Furthermore, this fiber has evolved through time to keep sheep happy in adverse conditions. It’s no problem for these joyful creatures to hang out in temps ranging from five to 95 degrees. It’s a very remarkable fiber.

Its thermoregulation capacity

Wool is wonderful at maintaining a steady body temperature. In warmer temperatures, it wicks moisture away from the body and doesn’t leave you in a pool of your own sweat. During the winter, the fibers trap air and act as an insulating barrier that helps trap your body heat underneath and keep the cold temperatures away.

The fact that it doesn’t trap odors

Merino wool is special in that it absorbs bacterial odor, encapsulating it and preventing it from being released into the wear. This means you may wear Merino wool item products (whether we’re talking blankets or clothing items) for longer periods of time. Merino wool is ideal for travel or longer expeditions when you don’t have a lot of space to pack.

Its softness

The diameter of a single Merino wool fiber is three times smaller compared to that of a human hair. Because it is so thin and lightweight, it can’t even stand up to its own weight. As a result, it’s supple and soft as a cloud.

The fact that it’s biodegradable

After about a year under the ground, Merino wool vanishes. When you’re done with your gear, the environment will recycle this fibrous protein made up of amino acids. As a result, nutrients and carbon are released back into the soil.

How Is Merino Wool Made?

Australian wool growers use sustainable agricultural practices to create the world’s best wool from Merino sheep. This type of wool is known for being a natural fiber created throughout the span of an entire year by Merino sheep. These sheep have a very specific diet, as they consume a basic blend of natural components (from grass to fresh air). Wool is a truly renewable fiber since these sheep create new fleece every year.

If you already heard about keratin (a natural protein found in human hair), you might be interested in knowing that wool also contains keratin, as well as a minor quantity of fat, calcium, and sodium. Scales cover the surface of each fiber, which are vital in the production of wool clothes and felts.

Types of Wool

Wool isn’t all created equal. Wool can be softer than cashmere, but it can also be harder and more robust, making it ideal for bedding items and carpets. Based on the micron of each fiber, wool can be categorized into three groups. One micron equals one millionth of a meter, and fiber length is measured in millimeters. These are the primary metrics used to judge the quality and application of wool.

Merino sheep produce wool with the finest microns, which is used to make high-quality textiles and knitting yarns. The world’s most prestigious fashion houses place a high emphasis on fine wool.

Medium micron wool can be made from a Merino breed or by crossing two breeds. Medium wools are used in a wide range of woven garments, knitting yarns, and home furnishings.

Broad wool is produced by a variety of sheep breeds. These breeds are frequently referred to as dual-purpose breeds since they are raised for both meat and wool. Known for being strong and durable, broad wool is suitable for items such as carpets.

Conclusion

Merino wool is a natural and warm fabric made from sheep wool. It has plenty of applications, and its versatility makes it the ideal choice for a wide range of products, which is why Merino wool is used to make everything from blankets to winter clothing. Once worn by royalty, Merino wool has become an accessible luxury. With so many advantages and disadvantages, it is no wonder why so many people are now buying these fabrics.

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