Merino Yarn, Care and Local Production

What makes Merino wool different from regular wool?

Wool is a broad category. The fibres from different sheep breeds vary enormously in diameter, softness and performance. Standard wool — from breeds like Romney or Corriedale — has fibres typically between 28 and 35 microns in diameter. At that thickness, many people find it itchy or irritating directly against the skin.

Merino wool comes from the Merino breed of sheep, known for producing finer fibres. Standard Merino runs between 20 and 24 microns. Extrafine Merino is finer still — typically below 18 microns. At that level of fineness, the fibres are too narrow to trigger the skin receptors that cause the prickling sensation associated with coarser wool. The result is a knit that sits comfortably next to the skin without a base layer underneath.

Beyond softness, Merino has other properties that make it useful for everyday knitwear. It is naturally temperature-regulating, helping to keep warmth in cool conditions and release excess heat when the body temperature rises. It manages moisture by absorbing it from the skin without feeling wet. And it resists odour more effectively than most synthetic alternatives, meaning garments can be worn multiple times between washes without deteriorating.

Yarn choice and local production at Sompunt

We work with extrafine Merino selected for handfeel, colour depth and dimensional stability. The yarn is chosen to support a calm silhouette, a neat knit surface and enough elasticity for everyday wear — the garment should recover its shape after being worn, not progressively lose structure over time.

Our knitwear is made with Sompunt in L'Espluga Calba, Lleida. Sompunt has worked in knitwear since 1969 and brings together knitting, linking, washing, finishing and quality control. Keeping production this close means we can discuss yarn behaviour, review samples in person, adjust gauge and tension before the final batch, and follow the production process with real visibility rather than relying on remote reporting.

For knitwear specifically, that proximity matters more than it might for simpler garment types. The behaviour of yarn under tension, through washing and across different finishing processes is difficult to predict without testing, and testing requires the ability to review quickly and adjust. Local production makes that possible.

Standards and documentation

Trust in a material claim depends on documentation attached to that specific material, not broad language. When a batch of Merino yarn is supported by OEKO-TEX certification, REACH alignment documentation or non-mulesed sourcing verification, we state that specifically for the relevant colour or delivery.

If a standard has not been confirmed for a particular colour or production run, we do not apply it as a default. Certifications have scope — they apply to specific fibres, dyes, finishes or batches. Using them as blanket claims across a whole collection is a form of misrepresentation, even when it is common practice. We would rather say less and be accurate than say more and be misleading.

How extrafine Merino performs in daily wear

Extrafine Merino sits smoother on the skin than coarser wools, but it also performs differently in a few important practical ways. It regulates warmth without the bulk of heavier knitwear. It manages the moisture that builds up during normal daily activity. And it recovers from folding and wearing more readily than most alternatives.

The goal with our crewneck and cardigan is a garment that feels clean on the body, keeps a neat shape through the season, and stays comfortable across a range of temperatures — warm enough for autumn, light enough for indoor wear in winter, versatile enough to layer or wear alone. Extrafine Merino at the right gauge is one of the few natural fibres that can reliably deliver all of that.

Care guide for Merino knitwear

Good care is part of how knitwear keeps its quality over time. Merino responds well to gentle washing but does not handle rough treatment the way cotton does. Follow these steps to keep your piece in its best condition:

• Wash cold or at 30°C on a dedicated wool cycle with a mild wool detergent. Avoid standard detergents, which can strip the natural lanolin from the fibre and reduce softness.
• Do not use bleach or fabric softener. Bleach damages the fibre. Softener coats it in a way that changes the handfeel and can reduce moisture management over time.
• Do not wring. After washing, gently press out excess water by rolling the garment in a clean towel.
• Dry flat on a clean surface — never hang wet knitwear, as the weight of the water stretches the garment out of shape.
• Store folded. Hanging a knit garment in your wardrobe causes it to stretch over time. Folded is always better for Merino.
• If pilling occurs, use a fabric comb or lint shaver to remove it. Pilling is a natural result of fibre friction, particularly in areas of frequent movement like underarms and cuffs, and removing it restores the garment's appearance without damaging the base fabric.

Go deeper

For the full story on our knitwear production, read how we work with Sompunt. For material and production transparency, visit Transparency at Pamuuc.