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Posted by enigma on November 30, 2006, 5:01 pm
> wrote:
>> My question:
>> Is it at the moment hard to get good quality of Merino
>> Wool?
>
> I've seen *lots* more merino wool recently (in the past few
> years) -- I doubt good quality flocks have been built as
> rapidly as the demand. Australia, one of the largest
> producers of merino sheep, has also been in a drought,
> which limits the growth of flocks.
not only that, but the drought can also affect the wool
fiber, making it more prone to breakage. wool gets 'thin' in
areas when the sheep are stressed (poor nutrition, prgnancy
stress, heat stress, etc). the thin areas are prone to break,
which causes short bits of fiber, which pill easily.
> This is probably especially true when manufacturers are
> shooting for a price point instead of a quality level.
i think this is more the issue here than the drought or
popularity of merino (since i just received 200 oz. of Aussie
merino to spin & it is wonderfully fine & strong). just
because the wool came off a merino sheep doesn't mean it's not
off cuts (cut twice, causing short fibers) or from less
desirable parts of the fleece, like leg or belly cuts. even
the crap fleece tags can be called merino if they come from a
merino sheep. it doesn't make them any better or nicer to use.
lee
--
Question with boldness even the existence of god; because if
there be
one, he must more approve the homage of reason than that of
blindfolded
fear. - Thomas Jefferson
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