What makes our Merino so sensational?
What is Merino Wool?
Merino sheep are originally from the North African plateaus of the Atlas Mountains, They got their name from the Berber tribe of Ber-Merines, who moved to Spain in the 12th century, bringing with them the ancestors of the Merinos.
Bred for their fine silken wool, Merinos were so valued that they were only allowed to be owned by the Royal family, or given to favourites as regal gifts. If Merino sheep were bred without the Crown’s approval, it was punishable by death.
In 1797, the first sheep from the famed Royal Merino Flocks of Spain, were introduced into Australia. Further selective breeding by Australian farmers soon produced an even finer wool before eventually travelling to New Zealand, where careful breeding further evolved the fineness and the performance of the fibre.
In 1797, the first sheep from the famed Royal Merino Flocks of Spain, were introduced into Australia. Further selective breeding by Australian farmers soon produced an even finer wool before eventually travelling to New Zealand, where careful breeding further evolved the fineness and the performance of the fibre.
Sun-Powered Scouring
First we scour our wool (tease the dirt out) in a B-Corp textile factory in Italy. It is solar-powered by a hot 2,885 photovoltaic panels to lower energy use and CO2 emissions and even has its own Research & Development department dedicated to sustainable innovation.
Spinning Wool (and Cleaning Water)
We spin our wool in Italy and Bulgaria with our yarn mill partners Südwolle, using the latest sustainable material innovations. We also use an advanced water filtration process so water exits the yarn mill cleaner than it enters.
The Natural Selection
Merino wool is nature’s Sistine Chapel. A masterpiece of a material– it has a checklist of benefits synthetic fibres can only dream of, all enhanced by our innovative yarn treatments.
Why New Zealand
Farming has a huge impact on the environment. So when we started looking for our wool partner, we prioritised finding the highest quality with the lowest impact. It soon became clear that ZQ certified Sheep Stations in New Zealand were the answer. ZQ certification is the hallmark of integrity for farmers committed to ethical wool production, from treatment of sheep and land management to fibre quality.
We wanted wool that keeps you warm when it’s cold, and cool when it’s hot. These fibres are unique to places with harsh winters and scorching summers like the South Island of New Zealand. This wool simply isn’t available in the EU or UK.
Caring for your knit