Winter is coming, so it’s high time to treat yourself to a nice, warm sweater, a wool scarf, or a pair of cozy socks. Chances are you’ll choose one of the beautiful yarns made with merino wool. There has been some discussion in the past about the treatment of merino sheep. Because animal welfare is very important to us, we decided to look into it. Read all about it here!
You can make a warm scarf, a soft sweater, or a cozy Cardigan with merino wool. Merino wool comes from the merino sheep, which is prized for the quality of its wool. The wool is very soft, hardly itches at all—if at all—and, thanks to its many qualities and colors, can be used for the most beautiful projects!
The Merino sheep is one of the best-known sheep breeds in the world and can therefore be found in every corner of the globe. Although the breed originally comes from North Africa, Merino sheep are now found primarily in New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, South Africa, and the western United States. There are a number of flocks in the Netherlands, but the wool we use to knit and crochet is imported from abroad.
At Yarnplaza, we sell merino wool from brands such as Lana Grossa, DROPS, and Katia. Questions have arisen in the past about the treatment of merino sheep. And rightly so, because an animal-friendly sweater really is more comfortable! Since we want to be sure that our customers are working with animal-friendly products, we’ve checked with our suppliers.
And yes, fortunately our suppliers are very open about this! Katia explains that the Australian wool they import is monitored by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI). This organization closely monitors research, development, and marketing in the wool industry. Lana Grossa directs us to their website, where we find a comprehensive “sustainability brochure.” It explains in detail how their high-quality wool is sourced and covers everything about sustainability and environmental awareness throughout the process. DROPS informs us that their merino wool is spun from free-range animals in South Africa and South America. Furthermore, their yarn meets the Oeko-Tex standard, which means it is produced with virtually no chemicals.
Of course, we were already expecting this, but it's nice to get confirmation from the suppliers. Plus, now you can start knitting your cozy, warm winter sweater, scarf, or wool hat with peace of mind!
Katia Basic Merino - Lana Grossa Bingo - DROPS Merino Extra Fine
What kind of wool do you prefer to use for your winter projects?
