As soon as the cold season approaches, needlewomen-knitters have a burning question: what to knit and from what. With the modern assortment of hank and bobbin yarn from domestic and foreign manufacturers, one’s eyes are wide open. Our advice: try Australian merino.
Characteristics of Australian Merino wool
This species has gone through a long historical stage and today is the best breeding species of fine-wool sheep. Unlike meat breeds, whose wool is coarse and prickly, Australian Merinos have fine and delicate hairs, as well as the ability to produce several times more wool.
Imagine that instead of 700 hairs per square centimeter growing on your head, you have 9000. This is the amount of Australian merino wool, a huge wealth! Based on the quality of wool, it is divided into several groups.
- Summer wool is the finest: 14-15 microns, there is very little of it.
- “EXSTRAFINE”, cut a little more, 16-17 microns.
- “SUPERFINE” is also a scarce wool, 18-20 microns.
All three groups of wool will never reach ordinary knitters, because it is unrealistically expensive and it does not exhibit the unique properties for which it is valued.
- But the “MERINO” group is already ordinary wool for machine knitting, has 25 microns, but it is still expensive for hand knitting.
- When the herd gradually degenerates and the wool becomes 28-30 microns, then such wool begins to be used for hand knitting yarn.
Features of yarn made from Australian merino wool
The peculiarity of this type of wool is its extraordinary softness and lack of causticity. Yarn has a healing effect for inflammation of muscles and joints. Absorbs moisture well, leaving the body dry, and continues to warm. This is the type of yarn when you don't want it to be hot. In wild frost it will not warm you, but cold and coolness are its crowning moments. If the child does not have allergies, then merino is the best wool yarn for knitting children's clothes.
INTERESTING! The New Zealand type of yarn from the same Australian merino has antistatic properties.
Yarn Pekhorka “Australian Merino”
It's good that there is a domestic manufacturer. This is the Pekhorsk factory. Its famous brand is named after the raw material “Australian Merino”.
The composition of the yarn is simply wonderful: 95% merino, 5% high-volume acrylic. Thanks to this 5%, the yarn turned out to be more voluminous and wear-resistant.
The thread meter is very convenient: 400 meters per 100 grams. As an experienced knitter would say: “sock thickness.”
It is convenient because you can knit either in one thread or in several folds, it all depends on the thickness of the intended product. The gradient will also be interesting, the thickness of the thread allows for this and the color palette is wonderful. More than 30 colors: both bright and pastel.
Yarn "Australian Merino: Elite Series"
Also the name “Australian Merino”, only with the designation “Elite Series”. The color palette repeats the colors of the simple “namesake”. The meterage and weight of the skeins remained the same, and, according to the manufacturer, the thread has become more convenient for knitting thin openwork. And another distinctive feature of the new yarn is the ability to use it for machine knitting.
What is Pekhorka “Australian Merino” used for?
A few ideas about what can be knitted from this type of yarn. Thanks to its elegant thickness and good footage per skein, you will get a chic scarf or stole with openwork. Two skeins are enough for a decent bactus. You can also knit a light cardigan with an openwork pattern for cool summers. The sock yardage will allow you to knit thin socks into shoes, just don’t forget to add nylon thread to the heel and toe for strength. One skein is enough even for a male couple. Can you imagine what sets of hats, snoods and mittens can be knitted in several folds with a gradient?! And, of course, jumpers, cardigans, sweaters, pullovers and much more.
Although the yarn does not hold the elastic very well (this feature must be taken into account in advance when choosing a model and pattern), but arans, braids and strands on merino look great!
Don’t forget about children’s things: pants, blouses, you can knit a whole “Family Look”. And what chic blankets you can make for an adult interior or a baby blanket for a stroller!
ATTENTION! Remember that hairs can get into the child's mouth, so it is better to use this blanket only during sleep.
ADVIСE:
- Be sure to knit samples, wash and note changes.
- Merino tends to stretch, don’t be alarmed when washing: it will spread out in the basin like a jellyfish, but with proper drying it will return to its shape.
- Do not wash merino wool in hot water, otherwise it will become felted.
- Remember: merino is wool, not cellophane, it may become covered with pills, this is normal.
Australian merino from Pekhorka is a wonderful opportunity to start knitting; this yarn will forgive your mistakes and will not lose its structure after several unravelings and re-tyings. So don't be afraid to start crafting and dress your family in warm, practical and fashionable things. Even loops to you!
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