Merino Wool
 |
 75 ULTRA AUSTRALIAN MERINO LAMBS WOOL 25CASHMERE REFOLDED ON SALE QUEEN $160.00 Time Remaining: 28d 22h 27m Buy It Now for only: $160.00 |
 Merino Wool Throw $19.00 Time Remaining: 10h 24m |
 EDMOND FRETTE BLACK MERINO WOOL TIBERIO THROW NEW 295 $34.66 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 12h 8m |
 75 ULTRA AUSTRALIAN MERINO LAMBS WOOL 25CASHMERE WRINKLED REFOLDED $110.00 Time Remaining: 29d 9h 6m Buy It Now for only: $110.00 |
 Hypoallergenic Superior Twin Merino Wool Comforter a Down Alternative $59.99 Time Remaining: 16h 45m Buy It Now for only: $119.99 |
 New FINE Alpaca Merino Wool Blanket 90x 60 TWIN SIZE $69.99 Time Remaining: 17h 18m Buy It Now for only: $76.99 |
 75 ULTRA AUSTRALIAN MERINO LAMBS WOOL 25CASHMERE REFOLDED $160.00 Time Remaining: 29d 9h 28m Buy It Now for only: $160.00 |
 NEW FINE HOME ALPACA MERINO WOOL BLANKET THROW Plaid Peru Art Design $49.99 Time Remaining: 17h 18m Buy It Now for only: $54.99 |
 New HUGE Alpaca Merino Wool Home Blanket 110x92 KING SIZE $109.99 Time Remaining: 17h 46m Buy It Now for only: $121.99 |
 75 ULTRA AUSTRALIAN MERINO LAMBS WOOL 25CASHMERE REFOLDED ON SALE KING $160.00 Time Remaining: 29d 11h 26m Buy It Now for only: $160.00 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket Throw Dark Wine $59.99 Time Remaining: 17h 49m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 NEW SOFT Fine ALPACA MERINO WOOL Home Blanket Throw Charcoal Gray $56.99 Time Remaining: 29d 22h 30m Buy It Now for only: $56.99 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket Throw Steel Blue $59.99 Time Remaining: 20h 18m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 Hypoallergenic Premium Queen Merino Wool Comforter a Down Alternative $119.99 Time Remaining: 20h 45m Buy It Now for only: $179.99 |
 King Size 100 Virgin Merino Wool Blanket 108X90 $139.99 Time Remaining: 24d 13h 4m Buy It Now for only: $139.99 |
 LUXURIOUS ALPACA MERINO WOOL PERU HOME BLANKET THROW NEW Plaid Design $79.99 Time Remaining: 21h 30m Buy It Now for only: $87.99 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket Throw Gray Brown $59.99 Time Remaining: 22h 40m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 Company Store Lt Green Outlast Knit Merino Wool Blanket Queen NIP 2726KCZ KN64 $63.60 Time Remaining: 7d 9h 58m Buy It Now for only: $63.60 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket Throw Emerald Green $59.99 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 46m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 Vintage Faribault 45X39 1 2 In Merino Wool throw Apple Education Sales Agent $9.99 Time Remaining: 3d 17h 4m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket SOFT Throw Rose $59.99 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 10m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 New FINE Alpaca Merino Wool Blanket 90x 60 TWIN SIZE $69.99 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 6m Buy It Now for only: $76.99 |
 FINE HOME 100 MERINO WOOL BLANKET THROW PLAID NEW $30.00 Time Remaining: 9d 15h 21m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 Hypoallergenic Superior King Merino Wool Comforter a Down Alternative $79.99 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 45m Buy It Now for only: $139.99 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket Throw Navy Blue $59.99 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 15m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 Designers Guild Asolo Merino Wool Throw $55.00 Time Remaining: 23d 15h 19m Buy It Now for only: $55.00 |
 LUXURIOUS ALPACA MERINO WOOL PERU HOME BLANKET THROW NEW Plaid Design $79.99 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 49m Buy It Now for only: $87.99 |
 New HUGE Fine Alpaca Merino Wool Home Blanket 107x90 KING SIZE Gray $132.99 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 48m Buy It Now for only: $147.99 |
 75 ULTRA AUSTRALIAN MERINO LAMBS WOOL 25CASHMERE REFOLDED NATURAL KING $136.00 Time Remaining: 21d 8h 15m Buy It Now for only: $136.00 |
 NEW Home FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Blanket Throw Orange $59.99 Time Remaining: 1d 20h 40m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 Anichini Benares Luxurious Italian Merino Wool Throw NEW $200.00 Time Remaining: 27d 16h 55m Buy It Now for only: $200.00 |
 Hypoallergenic Superior King Merino Wool Comforter a Down Alternative $79.99 Time Remaining: 1d 20h 44m Buy It Now for only: $139.99 |
 Queen Merino Wool Quilt 500gsm Doona + bag + Luxury 300TC Japara cover 20995 $96.22 Time Remaining: 2d 6h 51m Buy It Now for only: $164.25 |
 75 ULTRA AUSTRALIAN MERINO LAMBS WOOL 25CASHMERE REFOLDED ON SALE $136.00 Time Remaining: 21d 8h 13m Buy It Now for only: $136.00 |
 NEW FINE HOME ALPACA MERINO WOOL BLANKET THROW Plaid NEW Design $49.99 Time Remaining: 2d 14h 55m Buy It Now for only: $54.99 |
 FINE HOME 100 MERINO WOOL BLANKET THROW NEW Terra cotta colour $27.00 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 31m |
 Organic Merino Wool Comforter FULL QUEEN Chemical Free Natural Blanket 72oz New $279.00 Time Remaining: 7d 9h 40m Buy It Now for only: $279.00 |
 FINE HOME 100 MERINO WOOL BLANKET THROW NEW Azure Blue colour $27.00 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 31m |
 Sleep Beyond Organic Merino Wool Comforter OCCI $134.95 Time Remaining: 28d 23h 40m Buy It Now for only: $134.95 |
 FINE HOME 100 MERINO WOOL BLANKET THROW NEW Chocolate colour $27.00 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 31m |
 FINE HOME 100 MERINO WOOL BLANKET THROW NEW eige Paloma colour $27.00 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 31m |
 Organic Bedding Crib Comforter Sleep Beyond Merino Wool Cotton Natural NEW $107.20 Time Remaining: 15d 22h 45m Buy It Now for only: $107.20 |
 FINE HOME 100 MERINO WOOL BLANKET THROW NEW White colour $27.00 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 31m |
 New FINE Alpaca Merino Wool Blanket 90x 60 TWIN SIZE $88.99 Time Remaining: 2d 16h Buy It Now for only: $97.99 |
 Waratah All Natural 100 Percent 425GSM Tasmanian Merino Wool Blanket KING $199.99 Time Remaining: 3d 14h 28m Buy It Now for only: $199.99 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket Throw Beige $69.99 Time Remaining: 2d 16h 30m Buy It Now for only: $76.99 |
 Luscious Anichini Merino Wool Fringed Throw $250.00 Time Remaining: 19d 11h 28m Buy It Now for only: $250.00 |
 Hypoallergenic Premium Queen Pure Merino Wool Comforter a Down Alternative $119.99 Time Remaining: 2d 16h 45m Buy It Now for only: $179.99 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Art Home Blanket Throw Purple $71.99 Time Remaining: 2d 16h 51m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 |
 75 ULTRA AUSTRALIAN MERINO LAMBS WOOL 25CASHMERE REFOLDED NATURAL QUEEN $136.00 Time Remaining: 22d 16h 33m Buy It Now for only: $136.00 |
 LUXURIOUS ALPACA MERINO WOOL PERU HOME BLANKET THROW NEW Plaid Design $79.99 Time Remaining: 2d 18h 18m Buy It Now for only: $87.99 |
 New FINE Alpaca Merino Wool Blanket 90x 60 TWIN SIZE $89.99 Time Remaining: 2d 18h 33m Buy It Now for only: $98.99 |
 Sleep Beyond Organic Merino Wool Comforter Twin OTCI $359.99 Time Remaining: 29d 1h 55m Buy It Now for only: $359.99 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket SOFT Throw Pink Rose $59.99 Time Remaining: 2d 20h 25m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 Hypoallergenic Superior Queen Merino Wool Comforter a Down Alternative $69.99 Time Remaining: 2d 20h 44m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Art Home Blanket Throw Purple $59.99 Time Remaining: 21d 20h 40m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
 New HUGE Alpaca Merino Wool Home Blanket 93x 91 QUEEN SIZE $119.99 Time Remaining: 2d 20h 48m Buy It Now for only: $131.99 |
 75 ULTRA AUSTRALIAN MERINO LAMBS WOOL 25CASHMERE REFOLDED ON SALE $136.00 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 12m Buy It Now for only: $136.00 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL HOME BLANKET THROW Plaid Peru Art Design $49.99 Time Remaining: 2d 21h 1m Buy It Now for only: $54.99 |
 NEW Home FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Blanket Throw Blue $49.99 Time Remaining: 2d 21h 25m Buy It Now for only: $54.99 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket Throw Black $59.99 Time Remaining: 21d 19h 22m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
 NEW Home FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Blanket Throw Green $59.99 Time Remaining: 2d 21h 30m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 New FINE Alpaca Merino Wool Woolen Home Blanket 90x 60 TWIN SIZE $69.99 Time Remaining: 2d 22h 3m Buy It Now for only: $76.99 |
 Exclusive 100 Merino Wool Blanket Size 200 x 200 cm $94.28 Time Remaining: 27d 10h 6m Buy It Now for only: $94.28 |
 New FINE Alpaca Merino Wool Blanket 90x 60 TWIN SIZE $69.99 Time Remaining: 3d 15h 25m Buy It Now for only: $76.99 |
 New FINE Soft Alpaca Merino Wool Woolen Home Blanket 90x 70 TWIN SIZE Sand $87.99 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 36m Buy It Now for only: $87.99 |
 Hypoallergenic Premium Queen Pure Merino Wool Comforter a Down Alternative $119.99 Time Remaining: 3d 16h 45m Buy It Now for only: $179.99 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket Throw Beige $59.99 Time Remaining: 3d 17h 30m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 Merino and Cashmere Wool Quilt Set B $122.58 Time Remaining: 2d 8h 12m Buy It Now for only: $122.58 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL HOME BLANKET THROW Plaid Peru Art Design $49.99 Time Remaining: 3d 17h 54m Buy It Now for only: $54.99 |
 LUXURIOUS ALPACA MERINO WOOL PERU HOME BLANKET THROW NEW Plaid Design $79.99 Time Remaining: 3d 18h 10m Buy It Now for only: $87.99 |
 UNDERBLANKET AUSTRALIAN MERINO TUMBLER AVILLA WOOL4YOU SIZE 180X200CM 60X66 $143.00 Time Remaining: 15d 15h 39m Buy It Now for only: $143.00 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket Throw Blue $59.99 Time Remaining: 3d 18h 25m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 CHARISMA PEARL MERINO WOOL DECORATIVE THROW PILLOW $50.96 Time Remaining: 3d 14h 43m Buy It Now for only: $50.96 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket SOFT Throw Rose $69.99 Time Remaining: 3d 18h 45m Buy It Now for only: $76.99 |
 New FINE Alpaca Merino Wool Blanket 90x 60 TWIN SIZE $69.99 Time Remaining: 3d 19h 6m Buy It Now for only: $76.99 |
 Queen Size 100 Virgin Merino Wool Blanket $129.00 Time Remaining: 24d 12h 50m Buy It Now for only: $129.00 |
 Hypoallergenic Superior Twin Merino Wool Comforter a Down Alternative $59.99 Time Remaining: 3d 20h 44m Buy It Now for only: $119.99 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket Throw Rose $59.99 Time Remaining: 3d 20h 54m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 Wool Blanket 100 Merino Wool New Lightweight Machine Washable 60 x 80 $65.00 Time Remaining: 14d 15h 20m Buy It Now for only: $65.00 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket Throw Camel $59.99 Time Remaining: 4d 12h 18m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket Throw Purple $59.99 Time Remaining: 4d 12h 55m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 Australian Merino Double WOOL Mattress Pad Twin Size $93.00 Time Remaining: 29d 13h 45m Buy It Now for only: $93.00 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket Throw Navy Blue $59.99 Time Remaining: 4d 13h 15m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 Luscious Anchini Merino Wool Fringed Throw $250.00 Time Remaining: 9h 42m Buy It Now for only: $250.00 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket Throw Charcoal Gray $59.99 Time Remaining: 4d 15h 15m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 NEW FINE PERU ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket Throw Gray $59.99 Time Remaining: 4d 16h 33m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 Organic Comforter Merino Wool Fill TWIN Natural Chemical Free Blanket 64oz New $249.00 Time Remaining: 19d 9h 26m Buy It Now for only: $249.00 |
 Hypoallergenic Superior Queen Merino Wool Comforter a Down Alternative $69.99 Time Remaining: 4d 16h 45m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 New FINE Unique Alpaca Merino Wool Thick Warm Blanket 90x 60 TWIN SIZE $89.99 Time Remaining: 4d 16h 51m Buy It Now for only: $98.99 |
 New FINE Soft Alpaca Merino Wool Blanket 90x 60 TWIN SIZE $98.99 Time Remaining: 24d 10h 30m Buy It Now for only: $98.99 |
 New FINE Alpaca Merino Wool Blanket 90x 60 TWIN SIZE $69.99 Time Remaining: 4d 18h 9m Buy It Now for only: $76.99 |
 Merino Wool Blanket in Ivory Color in Queen Full Size $129.99 Time Remaining: 8d 12h 36m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 NEW FINE ALPACA MERINO WOOL Peru Home Blanket Throw Beige $59.99 Time Remaining: 4d 18h 39m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 New HUGE Alpaca Merino Wool Home Blanket 110x92 KING SIZE $109.99 Time Remaining: 4d 19h 15m Buy It Now for only: $121.99 |
 AUSTRALIAN MERINOS WOOL QUILT WOOL4YOU 3PATTERN 155X200 $174.43 Time Remaining: 5d 10h 59m Buy It Now for only: $174.43 |
 LUXURIOUS BABY ALPACA MERINO WOOL PERU HOME BLANKET THROW NEW Plaid Design $109.99 Time Remaining: 4d 19h 25m Buy It Now for only: $120.99 |
 New FINE Alpaca Merino Wool Blanket 90x 60 TWIN SIZE $89.99 Time Remaining: 4d 20h 15m Buy It Now for only: $98.99 |
 Twin Size 100 Virgin Merino Wool Blanket $89.99 Time Remaining: 6d 20h 16m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Hypoallergenic Premium King Pure Merino Wool Comforter a Down Alternative $129.99 Time Remaining: 4d 20h 45m Buy It Now for only: $189.99 |
Merino Wool
THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN WOOL
THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN WOOL
Where did it come from – The History:
It all started in a town called Sydney; the First Fleet sailed in with the very first flock of sheep to hit Australian shores in 1788. The first Merino sheep, which were Spanish, came from South Africa. Two men by the names John Macarthur and Samuel Marsden acquired the sheep in 1797. A few years after that Australia’s potential to produce wool became evident, so Governor, Captain P G King began shipping fleeces from Macarthur’s flocks and others to England for appraisal.
It wasn’t until November in the year 1807 that the first import of wool was made to England by Samuel Marsden. He had the third biggest flock of sheep in Australia at that time. John Macarthur sent his wool later in the year which sold for $45 lb.
In the years that followed the shipments of wool to England became bigger and bigger. The three main families were the Macarthur, Riley and Marsden. The increase of demand had a lot to do with the Napoleonic wars which disrupted the export of Spanish wool because of the battle front being in Spain. German exports were almost halted with the English naval blockade of continental Europe. What this did was give Australia a foothold in the English wool market.
The demand was so great that by 1830 Australia had a sheep population of upwards of 2 million and climbing. The vast grasslands that were becoming available through road construction were feeding the sheep which made such numbers sustainable. By 1835 wool had become Australia’s main export industry.
1838 saw Australia challenging Spain and Germany as the main suppliers of wool to England. Japan also became the second biggest buyer of Australian wool.
Wool began to be auctioned in Australia for the first in 1843, up until this wool had been shipped to England and Auctioned or sold by private deals. By 1850 the value of wool exports was 41 Million.
During the industrial revolution the wool industries products came under threat from the increased use of cotton and new spinning and weaving machines. To improve quality the Australian sheep breeders had to re-create the short stapled Spanish Merino so that their wool was suitable for the new machines. They then combined cotton and wool to produce a cheaper lighter and higher quality fabric. This turned out to be the greatest revolution in, animal linked, industrial engineering in history. This grew the sheep numbers even further, in 1879 there were 40 million sheep, and by 1892 it was at 106 million. Numbers fell by almost half in 1902 due to the driest year ever recorded.
The First World War saw the British Government purchase the entire Australian wool clip for a fixed price for the whole duration of the war. This gave them an enormous advantage as Germany’s wool supplies were scarce.
Jaque Rodier, a textile manufacturer, developed machine made knitted wool, which he called Jersey, and showed it to an upcoming French designer Gabrielle Chanel, who created women’s apparel that was comfortable and free moving which changed woman’s fashion for ever.
Wool was the dominant force in Australia’s exports, in the 1930’s it had become 62% of Australia’s total export value of primary products. The United Kingdom’s textile industry was buying almost 50% of Australia’s total wool exports, with Japan and The United States also among the best customers of its wool.
In 1934 the population of sheep topped the previous record set in 1892 of 106 Million. Japan’s increasing demand for wool saw it purchasing two thirds of Australia’s exports.
The advantage that wool gave in war times once again saw Britain purchase all of Australia’s wool for the duration of the Second World War. They even stopped shearers from war service to keep up with demand.
In 1947 scientists in Europe and the United States developed instruments for measuring the mean fiber diameter. These tools, used to measure wool fiber diameter, became common place in the industry.
1959 saw Japan end Britain’s dominance over purchasing Australian wool, by 1962 it had bought twice as much as Britain did in that year.
Standard sampling and testing systems were developed in 1960, procedure measures included:
* Wool base – the dry weight of wool free from impurities e.g. vegetable matter, dust, moisture, grease
* Vegetable matter base – established when a sample of wool is placed in a boiling solution of 10% caustic soda, the wool is dissolved and the remaining vegetable matter is dried and weighed
* Fiber diameter – average diameter expressed in microns, developed and approved by IWTO
A Record 180 million sheep came about in 1970. 1980 saw the demand for fine Australian wool increase even more from the production of Cashwool, a very fine classic yarn that still today shows its unique characteristics.
The Sydney Opera House held the Australian Bicentennial Wool Collection in 1988 which invited an array of the world’s best fashion designers to create outfits made from Australian Merino wool. The likes of Gianni Versace, Donna Karan, Kenzo Takada, Bruce Oldfield and Adele Palmer to name a few.
Australia became the world’s biggest producer, and main source of woolen apparel, entering international trade channels in 1991 and it stayed that way for the next 5 years.
2003 saw China’s emerging manufacturing prowess challenge all western countries wool processing industries, which it took over and became the largest processer of Australian Wool in the world.
2007 – 200 years of wool exported from Australia.
http://www.boot-boot.com has more information on the history of the Great Australian Ugg Boots
About the Author
Anyone have experience washing cashmere or merino wool sweaters?
Only reply if you have EXPERIENCE washing this sort of wool, and please do not tell me to dry clean it.
I've washed my cashmere shawl and a merino wool sweater in my machine. A few hints. Before laundering, I take a brown paper bag and trace the outline of the sweater and shawl so I can block it again after being laundered. Wash on the most delicate cycle, on my machine this is the hand washable, extreme delicate cycle and use cold water. I used Woolite and added vinegar in the rinse water. (The vinegar acts like a fabric softener, & keeps the dyes from bleeding or fading and neutralizes any soap that does not rinse out, the odor dissapates). On my machine, the spin cycle even on the delicate cycle is too extreme for such fine fibers. So after it goes through the wash cycle, I wait for the machine to drain and remove the garment after the rinse cycle but before spin cycle begins. I spread a terry towel on the dryer placing the sweater or shawl on top of it and gently squeeze the water out by rolling it in the towel. My dryer has a rack that I can place inside which stays stationery while the drum turns around it. I block the sweater or shawl back to its original dimensions, and place it on the rack in the dryer setting it to air dry. I only let the garment stay in the dryer a brief time until the wrinkles work out and then lay it on an air dry rack on top of the dryer while I continue using the dryer to dry other loads. The heat from the dryer will help the garments dry faster without shrinkage because the air space between the rack and dryers dissapates the heat. I did ruin the cardigan that came with the sweater by allowing it to go through the spin cycle which stretched the fibers out beyond repair.
Organic Merino Wool Education
Tags: clothes, clothing, cycling, merino wool, merino wool fabric, merino wool roving, merino wool socks, merino wool yarn, shopping, wool