Material Library · Merino & wool
Merino Wool & Wool Blend Fabrics
Merino is a fine wool that insulates, handles moisture and tends to resist odour, so it usually stays comfortable through a long day outdoors. It is used as knitted fabric for balaclavas and base layers, blended with nylon or elastane for socks and close fits, and as yarn for beanies and scarves.
Updated
- 50 pcsMinimum order
- 14 daysStandard lead time
- OEKO-TEX®Fabrics from certified mills
- ISO 9001Certified (Eco Jersey Limited)
- SedexMember (Eco Jersey Limited)
Merino and wool fabrics
Merino and wool fabrics we work with
Open a fabric to see what is typical for it and what we confirm for your order. Micron, blend ratio and weight vary by mill.
Merino & Wool Blends
Merino Wool Jersey
A fine knitted merino wool fabric that helps regulate temperature, moves moisture and tends to resist odour, so it usually stays comfortable through a long day…
Single jerseyMidweight
- Warmth
- High
- Breathability
- Very high
- Stretch
- Moderate
Merino & Wool Blends
Merino Wool Blend (Nylon or Elastane)
Merino blended with nylon for abrasion resistance or with elastane for stretch and recovery. It keeps much of merino's warmth and odour resistance, usually with better…
Single jerseyMidweight
- Warmth
- High
- Breathability
- High
- Stretch
- High
Merino & Wool Blends
Merino & Wool Yarn Knit
Wool or merino yarn knitted directly into the product, as in beanies, scarves and knitted balaclavas. Warm, breathable and able to carry knitted-in patterns and logos.
Rib knitKnitted from yarnLight to heavy (varies)
- Warmth
- Very high
- Breathability
- High
- Stretch
- High
Merino & Wool Blends
Merino/Polyester Blend
Merino blended with polyester, usually so that it dries faster and costs less than pure merino while keeping some of wool's comfort.
Single jerseyMidweight
- Warmth
- High
- Breathability
- High
- Stretch
- Moderate
At a glance
Merino and wool fabrics compared
Typical characteristics relative to the other fabrics in the library.
| Fabric | Construction | Weight class | Warmth | Breathability | Stretch | Moisture management | Typical products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merino Wool Jersey | Single jersey | Midweight | High | Very high | Moderate | Very high | Balaclavas, Ski wear |
| Merino Wool Blend (Nylon or Elastane) | Single jersey | Midweight | High | High | High | High | Balaclavas, Ski wear |
| Merino & Wool Yarn Knit | Rib knit, Knitted from yarn | Light to heavy (varies) | Very high | High | High | High | Balaclavas, Beanies, Scarves |
| Merino/Polyester Blend | Single jersey | Midweight | High | High | Moderate | Very high | Balaclavas, Ski wear |
| Acrylic/Wool Blend Knit | Rib knit, Knitted from yarn | Midweight | High | High | High | High | Balaclavas, Beanies, Scarves, Ski wear |
| Merino/Nylon Sock Yarn | Rib knit, Terry loop | Midweight | Very high | High | High | Very high | Socks, Ski wear |
| Wool/Acrylic Sock Yarn | Rib knit, Terry loop | Midweight | High | Moderate | High | Moderate | Socks |
| Terry-Loop Sock Knit | Terry loop | Midweight | High | Moderate | Moderate | High | Socks, Ski wear |
| Lambswool Yarn | Knitted from yarn | Light to heavy (varies) | Very high | High | High | High | Balaclavas, Beanies, Scarves |
| Wool Blend & Tweed (Cap Fabric) | Woven | Midweight | High | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Caps & hats |
| Recycled Wool Yarn | Knitted from yarn | Light to heavy (varies) | High | High | Moderate | High | Balaclavas, Beanies, Scarves |
| Acrylic/Wool Blend (Snapback Fabric) | Woven | Midweight | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Caps & hats |
| Wool Blend Yarn | Knitted from yarn | Light to heavy (varies) | High | High | Moderate | High | Balaclavas, Beanies, Scarves, Ski wear |
| Wool Felt (Hat Body) | Felt (non-woven) | Midweight | High | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Caps & hats |
| Woven Cashmere & Cashmere Blends | Woven, Twill | Midweight | Very high | High | Low | High | Scarves |
| Woven Wool & Merino (Checks & Tartans) | Woven, Twill | Midweight | Very high | Very high | Low | Very high | Scarves |
Choosing merino
What to decide before you choose merino
Merino is a premium fibre. These points decide whether its cost pays off for your product.
-
Pure or blended
Pure merino usually gives the best temperature regulation and odour resistance. Nylon adds abrasion resistance for socks; elastane adds stretch and recovery for fitted styles.
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Fibre fineness
Finer merino fibres feel softer and itch less. Tell us if the product sits directly on sensitive skin such as the face or neck.
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Care
Wool shrinks and felts with heat and agitation unless it is treated. Put the care method in your brief so the fabric and label match it.
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Durability
Fine merino jersey is less abrasion-resistant than polyester. For high-wear zones, a blend or a reinforced panel lasts longer.
Related fabrics
Other wool-blend fabrics in the library
These fabrics contain wool and are described in full on their main family page.
Acrylic/Wool Blend Knit
Acrylic blended with wool, usually giving more warmth and a more natural hand than pure acrylic, at a…
Merino/Nylon Sock Yarn
Fine merino wool blended with nylon for strength and elastane for stretch. Warm and soft, and wool tends…
Wool/Acrylic Sock Yarn
Wool blended with acrylic: warm, bulky and colourful at a lower price than pure merino. A good choice…
Terry-Loop Sock Knit
A knit with thousands of small loops on the inside of the sock. The loops cushion the foot,…
Lambswool Yarn
Wool from the first shearing of young sheep, finer and softer than standard wool. It is warm, breathable…
Wool Blend & Tweed (Cap Fabric)
Wool blended with polyester or acrylic, or woven into tweed and herringbone. Warm, textured and traditional, it is…
Recycled Wool Yarn
Yarn spun from wool fibre recovered from used garments and textile waste, usually with some new wool or…
Acrylic/Wool Blend (Snapback Fabric)
A firm woven blend of acrylic with some wool, the classic fabric of flat-peak snapback and fitted caps.…
Wool Blend Yarn
Wool blended with acrylic or nylon: it keeps much of wool's warmth and natural feel while adding strength,…
Wool Felt (Hat Body)
Wool fibre pressed into a dense, matte felt that is steamed and shaped into hat bodies. It holds…
Woven Cashmere & Cashmere Blends
Cashmere woven into a soft, flat scarf, usually finished with twisted fringes: pure cashmere for the top of…
Woven Wool & Merino (Checks & Tartans)
Wool and merino woven into flat scarves with fringes, the classic choice for checks, tartans and heritage plains.…
Products
Where merino and wool are used
Merino suits products worn for long periods in the cold; wool yarns suit knitted headwear and scarves.
- Custom balaclavasPrivate-label balaclava and ski mask manufacturer in Sialkot, Pakistan. Knitted, fleece, mesh and sublimated styles from 50 pcs,…
- Custom beaniesCustom beanies under your label: cuffed and logo, streetwear, pom-pom and winter, sports and jacquard beanies. From 50…
- Custom socksCustom socks under your label: ankle, crew, dress, sport, thermal, grip and team socks with jacquard logos. From…
- Custom scarvesCustom scarves under your label: knitted, football, silk and printed scarves, bandanas, neckerchiefs and hijabs. From 50 pcs…
- Custom ski wearCustom ski jackets, pants, suits, fleece and base layers under your label, waterproof 5K–20K with taped seams. From…
- Custom caps & hatsCustom caps and hats under your label: baseball, dad, trucker, snapback, bucket, boonie, safari and camo caps. From…
Product pages that use these fabrics:
- Cold Weather Balaclavas
- Neck Gaiters
- Base & Mid Layers
- Ski Socks
- Wool Beanies
- Knitted Scarves
- Knitted Balaclavas
- Socks
- Dress & Business
- Winter & Outdoor
- Merino Wool Socks
- Everyday & Fashion
- Sport & Team
- Caps & Hats
- Snapback Caps
- Fitted Caps
- Baseball & Dad Caps
- Cashmere Scarves
- Luxury & Gift Scarves
- Business & Uniform Scarves
- Scarves
Portfolio
Merino in our projects
Journal
Guides on cold-weather fabrics
Product Guides & Comparisons · 15 min readDifferent Types of Balaclavas: Styles, Materials and Uses ExplainedThe types of balaclavas explained: face openings, hinged and hooded styles, knitted vs cut-and-sew, materials, uses and fashion styles, with a quick guide.Read the guide 
Manufacturing & ProductionKnitted vs Cut-and-Sew Balaclavas: How Each Type Is MadeKnitted vs cut-and-sew balaclavas: how each is made, what “seamless” really means, flatlock seams under helmets, decoration options and how to choose.Read the guide 
Materials & FabricsBalaclava Materials Compared: Acrylic, Merino, Cotton, Fleece, Polyester and MeshBalaclava materials compared: acrylic, merino, cotton yarns for knits; fleece, polyester/spandex and mesh for sewn styles, with uses, decoration and care.Read the guide
FAQ
Merino and wool fabrics: frequently asked questions
Does merino itch?
Fine merino itches far less than ordinary wool because the fibres are thinner and bend against the skin. Fibre fineness and any anti-itch treatment are confirmed with your fabric.
Can I get RWS-certified merino?
An RWS claim needs a certified chain from the farm to the finished product. Our current status for RWS and the other schemes is listed in the textile certifications guide; if your product needs it, say so in your brief.
Why blend merino with nylon or elastane?
Nylon makes merino more resistant to abrasion, which matters for socks and high-wear areas. Elastane adds stretch and shape recovery for close-fitting balaclavas and base layers.
Material Library
More fabric families and guides
- All fabrics in the Material Library
- Fleece Fabrics
- Cotton Fabrics
- Polyester & Recycled Polyester Fabrics
- Acrylic Knits & Yarns
- Performance Fabrics
- Shell & Waterproof Fabrics
- Insulation & Linings
- Cap & Hat Materials
- Sock Yarns & Constructions
- Knitting Yarns
- Scarf Fabrics
- Waterproof & Breathability Ratings Explained
- Fabric Weight & GSM Guide
- Textile Certifications Guide