Merino Wool

[Gallidaihia]

So Ive all ways be curious, My mother, sister and I have all ways been allergic to wool, but can wear Merino wool, why is this and are their other types of Sheep the produce similar wool?

Thanks

 

[Roving Jacobs]

It's unlikely that they are actually allergic to wool because wool is made of the same stuff as our hair and fingernails. They are probably just sensitive to the fiber coarseness. Merino is a fine wool and so isn't as itchy as other breeds' wools. Some other fine wool breeds are American Cormo, Debouillet, Rambouillet, Panama, Romeldale/CVM, and Targhee.

 

[goodhors]

I have heard that the "better wool" in higher priced items doesn't cause
itching or rubbing problems wearing it because of the long staple of the
wool fibers. This basically means that there are so many LESS ends in
that long fiber wool yarn, when the spinning creates the threads yarn is
made of. So fabric made from long staple wool, just has less ends to
scratch or rub the person wearing it. Such wool has a MUCH more silky
feel to the wool products it is made into, less likely to "pill up" when worn.

Cheaper, coarser, shorter staple wool fibers, means that yarn made from
it has more ends to rub the person wearing it. Those ends just stick out
of the yarn because they don't have the length to stay inside the yarn threads.

Merino is a longer fiber wool, has been a desired wool for the fabric industry
over many years because it has so many good qualities.