Merino and alpaca - differences in materials, which is warmer and better?

Cozy, warm blankets made of alpaca or merino wool are an integral attribute of a family of any income. They are used as stylish decorative bedspreads, a comfortable blanket for both daytime and nighttime sleep, and are indispensable for a picnic or car trip.

In cold weather, a blanket will allow you to comfortably spend time at the computer, watching TV or reading your favorite book. This irreplaceable and universal thing is never superfluous; it serves all family members, including pets, and often becomes a warm memory of childhood. Therefore, its purchase is always timely - including as a beautiful and practical gift, which is equally suitable for both men and women.

Who is Merino?

Merino wool yarn gets its name from the Merino sheep breed.
This is a special breed of highland fine-wool sheep, the largest population of which is found in Australia. Merino thread is very thin and surprisingly strong. In addition, it is light, almost weightless and unusually warm. Products made from 100% merino wool are highly gyroscopic, lightweight and very elegant. It is the strength and thickness of merino yarn, which is only tens of microns, that makes it possible to make products from it with high wear resistance. This yarn is more suitable for children than others, because... does not have fluffy pile, does not shed or prick.

You can't go wrong by choosing products made from merino wool: light and comfortable, they will keep you warm in the cold and will look very stylish.

Merino yarn is loved by adults and children: soft, warm, light and not itchy at all!

Who is an alpaca?

Alpacas are domestic animals belonging to the camel family. They live in South America (Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Bolivia) in the highlands, in the Andes. Alpacas are considered rare animals. They are bred only for their wool; in the highlands of Peru it is an important export item. Alpacas are shorn once every two years and receive only 1 - 1.2 kg of wool from one animal, so this yarn is not cheap.

Alpaca wool is distinguished by its unusual lightness, unique shine, amazing softness, while it is thin enough and at the same time dense so as not to let water through. For such valuable characteristics, local residents call alpaca wool “divine fiber.”

The advantages of products made from alpaca wool, first of all, are their excellent ability to retain heat, as well as their thermoregulation properties. Under an alpaca wool blanket or alpaca wool sweater you will be comfortable at any temperature.

It is important that alpaca wool does not contain lanolin, which makes it, firstly, light and resistant to stains, and, secondly, hypoallergenic, which is much more valuable and important in the realities of our lives, since every year the number of people suffering from various types of allergies.

The most delicate alpaca will turn into warm hats and mittens

Natural fibers - warm and healthy

Despite the widespread development of innovative textile technologies, natural materials still remain the favorites of consumer demand. Wool is traditionally used to protect against the cold, and among its varieties, merino and alpaca fleece occupy a special place.

Merino

Merino sheep are bred in the mountains of Spain, Australia, New Zealand and other countries, and the best wool for yarn production is taken from their withers. As a result of living in a cold climate, thin (about 20-25 microns) merino wool has acquired a characteristic cellular structure, which at the same time retains heat well, absorbs moisture and does not interfere with air exchange, and also makes the wool very light and silky to the touch. Such fibers, even absorbing moisture, keep the skin dry and warm. Moreover, they do not absorb dirt and odors. Creatine contained in merino wool has bactericidal properties .
It is believed that a merino blanket has healing properties; it effectively warms up colds, back and joint pain, and also promotes relaxation, reduces blood pressure and even helps with insomnia. Merino yarn is easily dyed in a wide variety of colors. This allows you to create products of a wide variety of textures and colors. Very popular are blankets with jacquard patterns, a textured relief surface, as well as with “paintings” of various themes that occupy the entire surface.

Alpaca

As for alpacas, they live in the South American highlands, that is, much more harsh conditions than sheep.
The thickness of their fibers is approximately the same as that of merino (20 microns for baby alpaca, 30 microns for llama), but at the same time they are hollow, absolutely smooth and very pleasant to the touch and, moreover, do not contain lanolin, which is characteristic of sheep’s wool. As a result, an alpaca wool blanket retains heat seven times more efficiently than the same one made from merino wool, and at the same time it will weigh three times less. Alpaca also has a beneficial effect on the body, promotes effective warming and relaxation of the body. It is also important that the absence of lanolin reduces the possibility of allergic reactions even in very sensitive people, so an alpaca blanket is considered the safest for newborns. In addition, this wool prevents overheating, since it allows you to maintain a comfortable body temperature in both cold and hot weather. Therefore, an alpaca blanket is very versatile - you will be cozy with it both in January frosts and on a summer evening.

However, such wonderful things are quite expensive. But they are very durable and retain both their useful properties and elite appearance for a long time. A real alpaca blanket has discreet natural colors. It is often made plain or provided with stripes of a different color along the edges. Traditional patterns also include checkered patterns and ethnic South American patterns. Thin blankets made from elite baby alpaca wool are often made in one color and with a structure that imitates hand-knitted patterns. First of all, such products are intended for newborns.

As you can see, the choice between merino and alpaca home textiles is not so simple. A compromise can be blankets made from a mixture of them. They combine the positive properties of both types of fibers; moreover, their range is very diverse and allows you to satisfy every taste and level of requirements.

Cashmere goats

The delicate undercoat of these goats, from the Kashmir region of South Asia, is used to produce high-quality fabrics and yarns. Natural cashmere is an expensive and rare material. Products made from it are characterized by lightness and are very pleasant to the touch.

When making one cashmere shawl, the down of three to four goats is required, and due to the fineness of the resulting yarn, it is dyed and woven only by hand, usually from one and a half to four weeks, which accordingly affects the price of the product.

There have been unsuccessful attempts to breed cashmere goats in other countries - traditional places of wool production: Scotland, Australia, New Zealand and others. But the climatic conditions of these countries were very different from the conditions of the Himalayas, which negatively affected the quality of wool; it lost its unique qualities. Therefore, today the largest suppliers of cashmere down are still India and Mongolia.

Fine cashmere in a blend yarn for lightness, warmth and a cozy tactile sensation

Angora goat and Angora rabbit

Angora goats produce warm mohair. The main producers of mohair are South Africa, the USA and Türkiye. Mohair fibers have a shiny surface, making products made from Angora wool comparable in softness to silk.

The Angora rabbit is a group of rabbit breeds that are bred for ornamental purposes and for their long fur. From this fur, the so-called Angora wool is obtained - a woolen fabric that is very soft to the touch with a characteristic delicate pile.

Let's remember: mohair is the wool of Angora goats, and angora is the wool of Angora rabbits. True, confusion still arises.

Icelandic goats

Icelandic sheep are famous for their wool. They were brought to the island by the Vikings more than 1000 years ago. The wool of Icelandic sheep consists of two tiers. The upper one is durable, repels moisture, the lower one is delicate and soft, retains heat. The length of the fiber, the pliable nature of the wool and the variety of natural colors have made the wool of Icelandic sheep popular with manufacturers. The traditional Icelandic lopapeysa sweater is knitted from lopi yarn, which uses both the bottom and top layers of wool from Icelandic sheep obtained from autumn shearing.

Example of blended yarn: alpaca, silk and cashmere

Camel's wool

Bactrian camels are bred in Mongolia, China and Russia. Camels shed their hair in the spring and there is no need to cut them. Products made from camel wool are distinguished by their extraordinary warmth. Bactrian wool is used for things intended for use in the harshest and coldest conditions, for example, clothing for astronauts, polar explorers or divers.

Yarn made from camel wool may not lie very evenly when knitted; the fabric looks quite stiff, but after washing it turns into a soft, fluffy and even cloud!

Yak wool

The yak is distinguished by long, shaggy hair that hangs from the body and almost completely covers the legs. Yak wool is widely used by Tibetans, and you can often see the animals wearing harnesses woven from their own hair. While on most of the body the coat is thick and even, on the legs, sides and belly it is long and shaggy, forming a continuous “skirt” that almost reaches the ground. Yak wool is warmer than merino sheep wool and has a delicate texture.

Yak wool is incredibly soft and warm, suitable for the most picky little sissies

Silk is produced from threads extracted from the cocoon of the silkworm. Silk originally originated from China and was an important commodity that was transported to Europe along the Silk Road. The thread has a triangular cross-section and, like a prism, refracts light, which causes a beautiful iridescence and shine.

Currently, the largest producer of silk is China (about 50% of total world production). India produces about 15% of the world's silk, followed by Uzbekistan and Brazil. Iran, Thailand and Vietnam are also significant producers.

Rare types of yarn

Vicuna , from the camelid family, lives in the mountains of South America; its wool is considered the rarest and most expensive in the world. From one vicuña you get only about 500 grams. yarn every three years. The result is a very thin, warm and soft yarn. It cannot be dyed without damaging it, so only natural walnut-colored yarn is sold.

The guanaco also lives in the South American mountains of the Pampas and Andes and belongs to the camelid family. These are rare animals and hunting them is not prohibited. Their fine undercoat is one of the most exclusive fibers in the world, which is why the price of gunako wool yarn is incredibly high.

Qivyut or Giviot (called differently in different sources) is the Eskimo word used to describe the undercoat of a musk ox. Qivyut yarn is produced in Alaska, in musk ox habitats and in collaboration with the Eskimos. The undercoat is combed out by hand in early spring. The amazing property of this yarn is that the products do not shrink, even when washed at high temperatures. Qivyut fibers are hollow inside, which is why the yarn is very light and several times warmer than sheep wool.

Bison wool yarn is very warm and soft, does not cause skin irritation and is especially good for allergy sufferers. It is believed that this yarn does not form pills at all and is not afraid of washing in a washing machine.

You can find yarn from rare animals on sale, however, it costs “cosmic” money. If you are lucky enough to knit with this yarn, please share your impressions!

Types of elite wool.

I found it on the net briefly, but about each type of wool. And then I somehow asked myself the question: how does one wool differ from another and which one is better? What or who is alpaca and merino? They can’t really say anything in the yarn departments. So I had to dig myself))) I hope that this information will be useful to someone))))

Cashmere (WS)

CASHMERE is the finest down (undercoat) of the high-mountain cashmere goat, which lives in the Tibet region and in the Kashmir province between India and Pakistan. Cashmere goats are also bred in Australia, New Zealand and Scotland. Cashmere is an exquisite, chic, trendy, sophisticated and rightfully the most expensive material. It is no coincidence that it is called “royal yarn”, “wool diamond” or “precious thread”. Cashmere raw material consists of threads that are only 13-19 microns thick (human hair is 50 microns), so touching cashmere creates a feeling of splendor. Cashmere is so delicate that any shade in which it is dyed looks as if through a slight haze, very pleasant to the eye. To obtain fluff, the goat is not shorn, but is combed by hand once a year, in the spring, during molting. At the same time, one goat brings only 100 - 200 grams of fluff, and 1.5 - 1.8 kg of cashmere linen is spent on the production of a coat, that is, the fluff of 15 animals. This is one of the reasons for the very high price of 100% cashmere products. Another reason for the popularity and high cost of cashmere is its exceptional softness, lightness, ability to retain heat and the absence of allergic reactions to it. The popularity of cashmere is constantly growing. Today, buyers choose cashmere as the best available on the market. It may be expensive, but the exceptional comfort it creates is attracting more and more fans of this material around the world.

Alpaca (WP)

ALPACA is a type of llama. It lives in the Peruvian Andes at an altitude of 4000-5000m. in extreme conditions (bright sun, cold wind, sudden temperature changes). The alpaca is a rare animal; its wool is expensive; alpacas are shorn, unlike sheep. once a year and receive only 3-3.5 kg of wool from one animal. Alpaca wool has exceptional properties: it is light, soft, uniform and silky, retaining a unique silky shine throughout the life of the product; very warm (7 times warmer than sheep), with high thermoregulatory properties (it is warm in the cold and not hot in the warm); durable (3 times stronger than sheepskin), not subject to rolling, falling or jamming; resistant to contamination and does not cause allergic reactions; unlike the scaly and therefore prickly fibers of sheep wool, alpaca fibers are smooth and comfortable to the touch; it has the largest range of natural colors (22 shades: from black, gray, burgundy, brown, cream to white). No other type of wool has such qualities. All of these properties create a feeling of unique aesthetic and physical comfort for owners of alpaca wool products. SURY ALPACA. There are two known breeds of alpaca: HUAKAYA and SURI. Huacaya is the most numerous and resembles a fluffy bear cub in appearance. In most cases, this is the gender that is meant by the name “alpaca”. Suri is the rarest (about 120 thousand alpacas in total - 5%) and valuable (2 times more expensive than Huacaya). Compared to Huacaya, Suri fleece consists of longer and thinner fibers (19-25 microns) - these are uniform and thick curls, straight along the entire length and slightly curled at the ends, they do not contain guard hairs that reduce the quality of the fleece. Suri wool is particularly soft and elegant. In the old days, it was used exclusively for royalty. BABY SURY ALPACA. Depending on the thickness of the fibers, alpaca fleece is sorted into five quality categories. The highest quality wool is the “BABY” type (20 microns). If the original fleece was Suri, then it represents the finest, rarest and most expensive alpaca wool, called "Baby Suri alpaca" - this is the highest quality alpaca in the world.

Angora (WA)

ANGORA - This is the fluff of Angora rabbits. Once upon a time, China, in response to Turkey’s inflated prices for the sought-after wool of Angora goats, produced a softer and cheaper yarn called “Angora”. As it turned out, it was the fluff of wild rabbits called Angora. Under these conditions, the Turks called the wool of Angora goats “mohair,” which means “chosen” in Arabic. Subsequently, Angora rabbits began to be bred in Europe and the USA. Angora rabbits are the most adorable of rabbits, reminiscent of a soft toy come to life. Currently, five breeds of Angora rabbits are commercially bred in the world: English, French, German, Giant and Satin. They differ in size and weight (2.5-5.5 kg), length of down fibers, thickness of guard hair, color, volume of wool produced annually (0.4-1.3 kg). Angora wool is exceptionally soft, very warm and fluffy, with a characteristic delicate pile. Products made from Angora wool create unique comfort and are therefore very popular and in demand. However, Angora wool also has its drawbacks: weak fixation of rabbit fluff in the yarn can cause abrasion of the fabric; the need to protect the angora from excessive wetting and clean it only chemically. However, products made from high-quality angora can last for more than one year.

Merino wool

MERINO WOOL (MERINOS) is wool taken from the withers of a Merino sheep. Merinos, a breed of fine-wool sheep, whose homeland is considered to be Western Asia. Subsequently, they spread to Western Europe, North America and Australia. Today in Australia alone there are about 150 million merino sheep, with one sheep on average producing up to 15 kg of wool per year (other breeds of sheep 6-7 kg). The yield of pure wool is 35-45%. Merino wool is uniform and consists of very fine (13.5-23 microns) and soft downy fibers (23-35 microns in coarse breeds). It is long (annual coat length 6-8 cm), white, warm, and has excellent thermostatic properties. Due to natural curls, it is elastic. It is important that it does not irritate the skin. Merino wool is more expensive than regular wool. The price of the best lots of this wool (14-16 microns) at annual auctions reached several thousand dollars per kilogram.

Camel's wool

CAMEL WOOL (CAMEL) is the downy undercoat of the non-working Bactrian camel (Bactrian), living in Central and East Asia. The most valuable wool is the Mongolian Bactrian. The camel's coat consists of outer coarse hair (25-100 microns) and inner soft fluff (17-21 microns), accounting for 80-85% of the volume. This is what is called “camel hair”. Once a year, 4-9 kg of it is collected (or combed) from one camel, sorted by color and composition, after which the finest and softest fluff is sent for fabric production. To make high-quality fabrics, the lightest and finest down of young camels (up to a year) is usually used. Camel wool is light (twice lighter than sheep), soft and silky, but at the same time, the most durable and elastic. It is practical to wear, resistant to contamination and self-cleaning. It is the warmest and at the same time an excellent thermal insulator, maintaining a constant body temperature in various conditions. It protects well from moisture, and is also able to absorb and quickly evaporate it, leaving the body dry. You will never sweat in clothes made of camel wool. In addition, it does not cause allergies and is able to relieve static tension. Camel wool has unique healing and health properties. Since ancient times, it has served as a cure for many diseases (more than 40). Its dry heat and the organic substances it contains have a beneficial effect on the skin, muscles and joints, improve blood circulation, promote vasodilation, activate metabolism and restoration processes in tissues. Colds, osteochondrosis, radiculitis, rheumatism, excess weight - these are only a small part of the ailments that camel hair can protect and relieve. Camel down cannot be treated with chemicals, including bleaches and dyes, so camel wool fabrics are produced in natural colors (14 colors: white, cream, beige, sand, reddish brown, dark brown, etc. .). This serves as an additional guarantee that these fabrics are environmentally friendly. Camel wool is exclusively natural, healing and environmentally friendly. Thanks to its properties, it has been a universal material for many years, giving people comfort and health.

Mohair (WM)

MOHAIR is the wool of Angora goats that live in Turkey (Angora province), South Africa and the USA. Moreover, more than 60% of the world's mohair is produced in South Africa. Mohair is a luxurious natural fiber. This is one of the warmest and most durable natural materials, while being exceptionally light and silky. Its natural shine is stable and durable, it does not disappear after coloring. No other wool has such a magnificent long pile with a stable and long-lasting natural shine. Mohair comes in three main types: The wool of a young goat up to 6 months old (Kid Mohair), obtained during the first haircut. This is a thin (23-27 microns) and soft fiber 100-150 mm long. Kid Mohair of the highest selected quality is called Super Kid - the thinnest and most delicate fiber, silky and luxurious to the touch. The wool of a kid up to 2 years old (Goating Mohair), obtained after the second haircut. It is also soft and thin. The wool of adult goats (Adult Mohair), it is thicker (30 microns) and coarser than the others. Luxury yarn is made from the first two types of mohair. Mohair from adult goats is used, in particular, in the production of outerwear. The wool of Angora goats is uniform and usually white, which is especially valued due to its ability to easily be dyed in any color: from soft pastels to the most rich. Dyed mohair looks bright and at the same time natural. Its natural shine does not disappear after painting, and the colors do not fade or fade for many years. Products made from mohair require delicate storage and careful care. They should be hung on hangers to avoid wrinkles, not exposed to high temperatures and dried at room temperature; clean only with a dry method, not forgetting that chemical treatment can shorten their service life.

Lama (WL)

LAMA (LAMA) - like the Alpaca, comes from Peru. It has been used for a long time as a pack animal, so today there are llamas with both thin, elastic hair and coarse hair, which requires selection of animals before shearing or combing. Llama wool is a protein fiber that does not contain natural oils or lanolin. It has a complete base structure and consists of two layers: the top protective hair and the undercoat (down). The top hair is thick and does not curl. Its share is up to 20%. The undercoat is soft and luxurious, 20-40 microns thick. It is used to make luxury clothing. When fully trimmed, both layers are removed and the coat is cleared of protective hair. When combing, I only get the undercoat. During processing, llama wool retains 90-93% of its original weight. The range of wool types and llama populations is very wide, which requires its selection for a specific type of product. Llama wool is distinguished by its lightness and softness, its ability to perfectly retain heat (thermal capacity) and provide comfort over a wide range of temperatures (thermostaticity). It does not cause allergic reactions, is able to repel water and, unlike other types of wool, regulate its humidity in a range convenient for humans. Llama fur has an exceptional variety of natural shades: from white, ash pink, light brown, gray and silver to dark brown and black. White wool dyes well. When painting, only natural paints are used.

Wool blankets: merino sheep or alpaca?

Woolen blankets are an indispensable means of keeping their owner warm in winter. With all their diversity, it is difficult for an ordinary person to decide which fiber is best to buy a bedspread from. Today we'll compare two of the most popular wool yarns when it comes to softness: merino and alpaca.

In a world already growing weary of synthetic materials and enthusiastically turning to eco-friendly options, virgin wool blankets give consumers the opportunity to have warm, durable, soft natural protection during the winter without harming animals.

Alpaca fibers and merino wool have many similarities. Both do not absorb odors and do not have their own, retain heat even when wet. Among sheep wool, merino is the most valuable, and the country of origin is New Zealand. New Zealand wool is especially suitable for blankets: it is the softest and longest.

The two materials have a number of significant differences.

Alpaca is generally less itchy because the fibers are smoother. The difference is especially noticeable when comparing a chunky wool blanket. Merino does not cause discomfort if the fibers are smaller.

Blankets made from natural wool are difficult to wash. But this does not apply to alpaca products. It is easier to clean and does not shrink during this process.

Alpaca has significantly higher tensile strength than merino, its fibers absorb moisture less, and they are usually either semi-hollow or have air pockets. This means that alpaca yarn dries faster and retains more heat than other wools of the same size. Despite this, merino wool is stronger because the fibers are rolled together: this makes the material stronger and more durable. But this property is the preserve of individual brands. For the most part, companies do not treat the yarn in a special way, so they do not take advantage of the potential opportunity to extend the life of merino. In the case of wool blankets, the durability of alpaca is higher due to its elasticity, which ranks first among natural fibers. In second place are silk and some bast fibers, such as hemp and flax.

More manufacturers are switching to alpaca as a superior material for wool products. Alpaca is superior to merino in many ways due to its origin. It is bred to more extreme climates than sheep. Although the merino sheep was also exported to colder climates, in part to force the wool to adapt: ​​become thinner, trap more air, etc., it will still take time for it to catch up with the evolved alpaca. In the high Andes, where alpacas originated, they can tolerate temperatures averaging from -35 degrees to -70 with intense ultraviolet light, in open plateau conditions with nowhere to shelter from the snow. Alpaca "wool" has evolved to be able to withstand all this and keep the animal in relative comfort.

Easy to care for

Natural alpaca and merino wool are materials that are durable and easy to care for. However, to maintain their beautiful appearance and useful properties, they still require periodic care. You can entrust the cleaning of blankets to special services, but it is easy to do it yourself.

First of all, blankets must be regularly cleaned of dust, and if a stain appears, immediately try to remove it using appropriate means (ordinary soap also helps a lot). It is better to wash by hand, but remember that water rolls down smooth alpaca wool, and it takes some time for it to get wet. When rinsing merino items, it is recommended to add vinegar to the water - this will improve the structure of the fibers and refresh the color. Blankets can also be washed in a gentle automatic mode using warm water and special preparations for wool. But you should not twist or spin woolen blankets in a centrifuge. To dry, it is better to place them horizontally and straighten them thoroughly.

It is recommended to periodically ventilate blankets, especially those made from merino wool, away from direct sunlight. For storage, they are carefully folded and placed in a bag that provides air access. To protect wool from moths, you should put an appropriate product in the bag. It must be remembered that for alpacas you should use repellents only on a natural plant basis.

Benefits of an alpaca wool blanket

Among fans of this wool material there is a statement: “Alpaca fleece is soft like cashmere, warmer than sheep’s wool, hypoallergenic and almost completely waterproof.”

Let's analyze this phrase by comparing the two types of fibers.

Alpaca fleece is as soft as cashmere:

Sometimes. Some alpacas can be just as cuddly. Many farms promote breeding programs for animals with 16-18 micron wool, which is an extremely soft fiber. In addition, alpaca does not have scales on the hairs like sheep's wool, so it is smoother. And breeders continue to struggle to increase gentleness.

Alpaca is warmer than sheep's wool:

Alpaca is a fiber that is hollow inside, while sheep's wool has individual voids. Air pockets, like polar bear fur, allow heat to be trapped, providing greater thermal capacity. Thus, under other identical conditions, alpaca will be warmer than sheep's wool.

Difference between merino and alpaca yarn

Don’t know whether to choose merino or alpaca for knitting a sweater?
These are truly the two softest and most popular wool threads. Both are quite warm, so they are often used to make winter clothes. They are used to knit blankets and make thermal underwear. Both yarns are made from natural and environmentally friendly animal wool. Therefore, clothes knitted from them are therapeutic, as they have a positive effect on various diseases of the musculoskeletal system, and also contribute to their prevention. They are very similar in properties: lightweight, retain heat well, do not absorb odors, and absorb excess moisture. But they also have significant differences.

Bamboo

Bamboo yarn is a relatively new product. It is made from bamboo by mechanical or chemical methods.

Has natural antibacterial and UV protective properties. Absorbs moisture perfectly, allows the skin to “breathe” in the hot season, and drapes easily. The fabric is soft, comparable to silk, has a beautiful shine, is durable, and wear-resistant.

There are also a number of disadvantages: bamboo absorbs moisture very well, which makes it less durable when wet. This yarn is not suitable for frequent washing as bamboo products need to be washed by hand. Some types of bamboo yarn can stretch a lot in the fabric.

Composition of both materials

Reference! Alpaca is the fur of an animal similar to a llama. The alpaca belongs to the camelid family and lives in the highlands of the Andes of South America. Today the animal is bred to obtain valuable wool. There are two types of alpaca raised. Suri has long, braided hair, which is highly valued for its high quality and rarity. In Huacaya it is like soft plush, this type of animal is more common. Now the world's main supplier of alpaca wool is Peru.

Merino is the wool of New Zealand or Australian sheep of different ages. The finest and highest quality is cut from the withers of young lambs, the coarser is cut from adult animals. Merino fleece has long been recognized throughout the world as the best; it is amazingly snow-white, warm and soft.

Cotton

Cotton has a number of advantages: it is highly hygroscopic, comparable in strength to silk, inferior in strength to flax and superior to wool. It has good heat-shielding characteristics due to the hollow structure of the fiber. Cotton is inexpensive to produce.

Cotton is light and pleasant to the body. There is an increase in demand for organic cotton.

The photo shows a cotton blanket for a newborn. Cotton is the best choice for the most tender ages.

Comparison of alpaca and merino wool

Each type of yarn has its own advantages and disadvantages. The choice depends on what purpose the connected product will have, what properties, colors are needed, and where it will be used.

Benefits of alpaca

Alpaca is a silky and elastic yarn. Things made from it stretch easily. In its production, dyeing is very rarely used; all colors are natural. There are more than twenty colors: white, beige, red-brown, black. Alpaca wool is very warm, because the animal does not freeze even in the harsh conditions of the highlands. Its fibers differ in length and thickness (from 18 to 35 microns). It combines the best properties of llama and camel wool. Not subject to falling or rolling. It is used for winter clothes, blankets and even sportswear.

Advantages of merino yarn

Sheep wool is very durable because its fibers are rolled together. The processed finest yarn from it is recognized as elite and is expensive. It is widely used all over the world and is considered the standard of quality. The yarn is very thin and soft, spun into several threads. You can knit both openwork and warm voluminous items from it. Sheep wool does not absorb odors and retains heat well even when wet. Merino yarn comes in a wide variety of colors.

Alpaca or merino:

• Alpaca is several times lighter and warmer than sheep wool.
• Alpaca yarn is more hypoallergenic than merino yarn due to its composition and smoothness.
• Alpaca does not contain animal fat lanolin, which allows it to become less dirty.
• Alpaca fibers are straighter and smoother than merino. Sheep wool has scales, so it sometimes itches. Because of this, not all types are suitable for knitting children's products and items for allergy sufferers.
• Caring for products made from alpaca is easier than from sheep's wool. When washed, they do not shrink significantly and dry faster.
• Items knitted from specially treated merino are stronger and more durable than alpaca. They can be washed in a washing machine.
• High-quality merino yarn is synthetically processed. Alpaca is not processed and is therefore considered environmentally friendly.
• Merino has more colors than alpaca.
• Alpaca practically does not get wet, unlike merino. It has water-repellent properties, but at the same time perfectly absorbs moisture.

More and more manufacturers of woolen clothing and lovers of needlework are choosing alpaca as a more practical and convenient material to sew and use.

How not to make a mistake in choosing?

When choosing home textiles, primary attention is often paid to its appearance. However, experts recommend making the choice in the following sequence: [adrotate banner=»1"]

• size;
• compound;
• main color;
• drawing;
• individual aesthetic criteria.

The size of rugs, like blankets, depends on who they are intended for:

1. For newborns (80x100 cm).
2. For children (110x140 cm or 100x150 cm).
3. For adults. This category has several standard sizes corresponding to a single or double bed (150x200 cm or 180x210 cm, respectively). The “euro” (200x220 cm), as well as the “euromaxi” or “king size” (220x240 cm, as well as 240x260 cm) are slightly larger in size.
4. Blankets designed for a chair (70x150 cm, 100x150 cm).

As for colors and finishes, you should proceed from the style of the interior and personal tastes. Plain bedspreads, which usually have different colors on the face and back, look very noble. A classic check is always appropriate, and an original ornament adds originality to the interior. The fashion trend is brushed fabric, imitation fur, as well as various types of textured fabrics.

Types of wool and their differences

Today I want to tell you about the types of wool and their differences.

Merino wool (merino) Merino is spun from the wool of fine-wool sheep. Things made from such threads retain heat well, are highly hygroscopic, and do not cause skin irritation even with prolonged contact. If you want to choose wool for knitting children's clothes, pay attention to merino - this yarn is quite soft, it does not lint, does not prick, the products made from it are thin and elastic, but warm.

Yak wool The yarn is woven from hand-combed, delicate down of the Tibetan yak. Hypoallergenic, has an antibacterial effect, does not electrify, keeps its shape, does not wrinkle. Most often used as part of natural mixes with silk or sheep's wool. Does not fade, can be dyed. Sheep wool (the label often states simply “wool”) Sheep wool fabric is hygroscopic and retains heat well. Angora Yarn made from the fluff of the Angora rabbit. Soft, very fluffy, with long delicate pile, easy to dye. 100% angora can be found very rarely - it is usually used in mixes with other natural materials. This helps prevent the appearance of abrasions typical of angora. Mohair

This is a yarn made from the hair of the Angora goat. Silky, airy, fluffy durable thread that lends itself perfectly to dyeing in any color. The thread thickness is slightly uneven. Alpaca Made from alpaca llama wool. Lightweight, with a pleasant silky shine, soft. Thanks to its thermoregulating properties, it will keep you warm even in severe frosts. Products made from alpaca do not lose their attractiveness for a long time - the fabric knitted from this type of wool does not fray, does not roll, does not fall off. It has beautiful delicate natural shades. Another advantage of alpaca is that it is hypoallergenic. It is from alpaca that it is recommended to knit things for the little ones. Camel wool Threads woven from the wool of camels and adult camels of a special breed. Products made from it not only provide warmth, but also protect against overheating, allowing the skin to breathe. Thus, owners of clothes made of camel wool can feel comfortable during temperature changes. Not suitable for children's clothing and accessories, because... The fabric made from pure camel wool is quite tough and even slightly prickly.

Alpaca, merino, camel - let's talk about the properties of different types of wool.

At all times, various products made from wool have been very popular: blankets with wool fillings, wool blankets, woolen clothes. Recently, the popularity of wool as a raw material for the textile industry has increased. Nowadays, when we are surrounded by a lot of synthetics, from food to household items, natural raw materials are highly valued and in great demand. Especially wool, because it is an unusually warm, cozy material with many useful properties. It's just a pleasure to spend the evening wrapped in a woolen blanket, with a cup of tea and your favorite book. And woolen blankets or mattress covers are indispensable in winter, in our cold climate. In this article we want to tell you about the different types of wool and their beneficial properties. MERINO is a breed of fine-wool sheep, whose homeland is considered to be Asia, where they were bred in the 2nd-3rd century BC. They then spread to Mediterranean countries, America and Australia. Nowadays, fine-wool sheep are bred in huge quantities in Australia, which is rightfully considered the world's largest supplier of merino wool. Six merino wool has a number of valuable qualities, which contributed to its widespread use by humans:

• Merino six differs from the wool of other sheep breeds in that it consists of thin and delicate fibers;

• Merino wool regulates human body temperature, especially in direct contact with the skin. Under a merino blanket or blanket you will never feel hot and sweaty, you will only feel comfortable warmth, because wool has the ability to absorb moisture released by the human body, thereby preventing the body from overheating;

• absorbs moisture well, six is ​​warm even when wet;

• Merino wool is one of the softest types of wool;

• contains lanolin - animal wax, which has antibacterial properties and therapeutic effects on the human body; wool blankets and blankets with merino wool are recommended for people with diseases of the musculoskeletal system: osteochondrosis, rheumatism, arthritis, as well as for the prevention of these diseases;

ALPACA is an animal of the camelid family (it is not without reason that the properties of alpaca wool are very similar to the properties of camel wool). Alpacas live in the Andes, in the highlands, places with a very harsh climate, when the difference between day and night temperatures reaches 30 degrees C. In order for the animal to survive in such harsh environmental conditions, nature made six alpacas one of the warmest. Alpaca wool is 7 times warmer than sheep wool and at the same time 3 times lighter and stronger because alpaca wool fibers are hollow inside, which ensures lightness and strength. Alpaca wool has a number of valuable properties:

• Alpaca wool fibers are straighter than sheep wool and have an extraordinary softness and silkiness to the touch; Sheep wool has scales, which makes it itchy and is contraindicated for allergy sufferers and people with sensitive skin. On the contrary, alpaca wool does not have such scales, the fiber is smooth, therefore an alpaca blanket has extraordinary softness and tenderness, and that is why an alpaca wool blanket is suitable for everyone: allergy sufferers, people with sensitive skin, children;

• alpaca wool does not contain lanolin, which also determines its hypoallergenic properties;

• the fat-free fur is very resistant to contamination, therefore products made from alpaca, such as an alpaca blanket, will remain clean for a long time, without requiring frequent and special care;

• alpaca blankets and other products made from alpaca wool are very warm;

CAMEL. Wool for production is taken from two-humped camels - Bactrians. Camel wool is considered one of the most valuable and medicinal:

• Camel wool contains the highest percentage of lanolin (animal wax), which is considered an excellent antiseptic and reduces swelling. Under the influence of the heat of the human body, lanolin becomes less viscous and gets into the skin. It has a beneficial effect on muscles, joints, spine, relieves pain, normalizes blood circulation, promotes deep and good sleep;

• It has great adsorbing capacity, absorbing moisture from the human body and creating dry heat;

• camel wool is light, yet warm, it is warm in winter and cool in summer, because camels live in harsh desert conditions, when the heat of the day gives way to sub-zero temperatures at night, in these conditions only the thick coat protects the animal from overheating and hypothermia;

• Camel wool has unique antistatic properties - it relieves static tension, which helps a person relax and rest more fully under a rug or blanket made of camel wool.

• Camel fur is amazingly soft;

We tried to tell you as widely as possible about the properties of different types of wool to help you decide on the choice of bedding with wool fillings or made entirely from one or another type of wool.