Soft, breathable, and naturally temperature-regulating — merino yarn is the ultimate luxury fibre for baby knits, garments, and accessories that feel beautiful against the skin. Our merino wool yarn collection features premium New Zealand and international brands in weights from 2 ply to 14 ply, including superfine merino, standard merino, superwash options, and beautiful merino blends. We personally select every merino yarn for softness, quality, and how it performs — looking for yarns that don't fluff or split as you knit. Stocked in New Zealand and shipped fast from Rangiora across NZ and to Australia.

What Makes Merino Yarn Special?
Merino wool comes from merino sheep and is prized for its ultra-fine fibres that create exceptionally soft, lightweight fabric perfect for next-to-skin wear. Unlike regular wool, merino is naturally temperature-regulating — cool in summer and warm in winter, making it perfect for all-year-round knitting. It's naturally elastic so your knits hold their shape beautifully, naturally antimicrobial and odour-resistant, and moisture-wicking to keep you comfortable. Merino is also incredibly gentle, making it ideal for baby clothes, sensitive skin, and even for people going through chemotherapy who need extra-soft, non-irritating fabrics. Lighter ply merino (2-4 ply) is beautifully knit held together with alpaca or mohair for added warmth and texture.

Why New Zealand Merino is Special:
Merino from different countries feels different, and there's a reason why so many yarn companies around the world use NZ merino as part of their yarns. New Zealand merino is renowned globally for its exceptional quality, softness, and fibre strength — our climate and farming practices produce some of the world's finest merino wool. When you see "NZ merino" on a yarn label, you're getting world-class fibre.

Understanding Merino Quality:
Not all merino is created equal, and price tells an important story. Superfine merino has the lowest micron count (finer fibres) and feels incredibly soft and luxurious — perfect for babies and sensitive skin. Standard merino offers beautiful softness at a more accessible price point. Higher micron counts can sometimes feel itchy, so if you're knitting for a baby or someone with sensitive skin, look for anything labelled "merino" and "baby" together — that's your guarantee of softness. We also stock superwash merino, which is machine washable. For NZ wool merino, this means it was grown here, then sent overseas for superwash processing (we don't have that functionality in NZ yet), then returned — giving you the super-soft, super-functional yarn that fully NZ-made merino can't achieve. The way merino is spun also makes a difference — some semi-worsted merino feels almost bouncy, while others have beautiful drape.

What You'll Find in Our Merino Collection:

• Superfine merino — ultra-soft, low micron count, perfect for babies and sensitive skin
• Standard merino — beautiful softness and quality at accessible prices
• Superwash merino — machine washable and practical for everyday garments
• Merino blends — merino-silk for drape and lustre, merino-possum for extra warmth and lightness, merino-alpaca for incredible softness, and other beautiful combinations that bring out the best in merino
• 2 ply to 14 ply weights — from delicate laceweight to chunky quick knits
• NZ brands including Ashford, Broadway, and Countrywide
• Yarns we've personally tested — selected for softness, minimal fluffing, and no splitting as you knit

Common Questions About Merino Yarn:
What needle size for merino yarn? Needle size depends on the weight and your desired gauge — 2 ply merino typically uses 2.5-3.5mm needles, while 14 ply merino uses 8-12mm. Always check your yarn label and pattern for specific recommendations.

Is merino yarn good for babies? Absolutely! Merino is one of the best choices for baby knits because it's incredibly soft, temperature-regulating, and gentle on delicate skin. Look for superfine merino or anything labelled for baby use.

Can you knit socks with pure merino yarn? Yes, if you want beautiful socks! But no, if you want them to last. For hard-wearing socks, you'll need to look for a yarn that has "a little extra" in it — usually nylon or another reinforcing fibre — to help it wear better and resist holes in high-friction areas.

Is merino yarn itchy? Quality merino should never be itchy. Superfine merino with lower micron counts is exceptionally soft. If you or the recipient has sensitive skin, choose superfine merino or merino labelled for babies.

Can you machine wash merino yarn? Superwash merino is machine washable, making it practical for baby clothes and everyday garments. Regular merino should be hand-washed gently to maintain its softness and shape. Not all merinos can be machine washed — please do read the care tags of the yarn you select.

Why is some merino more expensive than others? Price reflects fibre quality (micron count), brand, how it's spun, and special treatments like superwash processing. Superfine merino costs more but offers exceptional softness — worth it for special projects and sensitive skin.

Are merino blends as good as pure merino? Merino blends are fantastic! They combine merino's softness with other fibres' special properties — silk adds drape and sheen, possum adds warmth without weight, alpaca adds extra softness. Blends often give you the best of multiple fibres.

Is merino good for people with sensitive skin or going through chemo? Yes! Soft, high-quality merino (especially superfine or baby merino) is perfect for people with sensitive skin or undergoing chemotherapy. It's gentle, non-irritating, and naturally temperature-regulating for comfort.

Where can I buy merino yarn in New Zealand and Australia? The Wool Shop stocks premium merino yarn in all weights from 2 ply to 14 ply, including superfine, superwash, and merino blends. We personally select every yarn for quality and softness. Fast shipping across NZ and to Australia from our Rangiora store, with most orders dispatched same day.

Whether you're knitting treasured baby gifts, creating a luxurious jumper, working on delicate lace, or making something special for someone with sensitive skin, our merino yarn collection offers the softness, quality, and beautiful performance you need. From superfine luxury to practical superwash and gorgeous blends, each yarn is chosen for its exceptional quality and the beautiful results it creates.