At Junke Felt we use Merino wool from New Zealand to make our wool felts and are often asked why and what Merino wool is. We hope we can answer your questions here.
Merino wool is derived from Merino sheep. It is a natural fiber. There are over 200 species of sheep, and Merino sheep are known for their fine, soft wool and their ability to thrive in extreme climates. They are recognized for their wrinkled skin and wool as well as their rams with large curly horns. Originally from Spain, Merino sheep can now be found in New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and South Africa.
Once a year, the sheep get a haircut, as shown in the photo. Here, the wool is sheared, just as we do for haircuts, and then collected. During the shearing process, the sheep are relaxed and do not resist.
Merino wool balls and felts
There are more than 200 breeds of sheep, but Merino wool has some unique properties that make it perfect for our intimate apparel:.
►Good: Merino sheep grow very soft, fine wool that fits comfortably against the skin. If the wool is not soft, you will feel the wool itch and it will not be very comfortable.
►Fiber length. Merino wool is naturally longer and the fibers are stronger. This is important because garments made up of too many short fibers are prone to tearing.
►Natural curl. Merino wool has a natural curl characteristic. This increases the elasticity of the yarn and fabric, which means it stretches easily. It also adds fluffiness, which makes the garment warmer.
Merino sheep
Merino sheep arrived in Spain in the 12th century, where they flourished. They created a prized royal flock whose wool was widely used in soldiers' uniforms and as a sign of wealth and privilege in luxury clothing. 1765 saw the beginning of the spread of merino wool around the world when King Carlos III of Spain presented a selection of rare sheep to the Elector of Saxony in Germany.
"Until the 18th century, the export of merino sheep from Spain was a crime punishable by death."
Other early users of Merino sheep were the Bedouins of the Sinai Desert and the Tuareg of the Great North African Desert. These tribes have used merino wool clothing for centuries in the intense heat of the world's largest desert. Very hot and dry during the day and very cold at night, wool is perfect for this.
United States
Merino sheep were introduced to Vermont in the United States in 1802 with 21 ewes and 70 rams. The British embargo on wool and wool clothing exports prior to the Anglo-American War led to the "merino boom" of 1835, when there were over 1,000,000 sheep in the state. This led to a subsequent but in 1840. Today, there is very little merino wool in Vermont, and the U.S. sheep industry is concentrated in the western states.
Australia
Around 1800, the first Merino sheep were imported into Australia and by 1830, the number of sheep had exceeded 2,000,000. These numbers continued to increase and by 1901 there were 72 million sheep. There are now approximately 125 million sheep in Australia.
New Zealand
Merino sheep were the first sheep breed to be brought to New Zealand in large numbers. During the 1840s and early 1860s, thousands were imported from Australia. They were not always of high quality, so New Zealand breeders imported small numbers from Germany, France, England and the United States to improve the stock. By the early 1880s, New Zealand Merino wool had become a distinct type and continues to be so today. Today there are 35 million sheep in New Zealand, of which 3 million are Merino.
Junke Felt produces merino wool felts, to find out more about our products click here.
