Mother Earth sends us natural fibre solutions for all climates, so why are there so many synthetics?

You may see me as; a basic farmer's son that hasn't been exposed to the instant fashions and trends synthetics allow, or , this knitwear seller with wooly blinkers on...?

I see myself as a little practical, yes, and knitwear is my livelihood, yes. I do watch for trends, and have always loved it when people dress for comfort.

Synthetic based clothes and plastic products took over the world through my childhood in the 60s/70’s along with printed branding, meanwhile the wool industry adopted fine wool technology for a fight back.

I have memories of watching watching Star Trek on the old Black and White Philips K9 TV in my home spun/dyed and knitted jerseys (thats me, the little one on the right), thinking that those Starfleet uniforms were cool, smart, futuristic, could be worn as formal or casual and perfect. They wore the same thing when fighting Klingons, being “Beamed up” or just waiting for the next alien encounter on the bridge of the Enterprise.

After Julie and I bought the NZ Natural Clothing Label, my dreams jumped from those space uniforms to see millions of modern day earthings in layers of Merino head to toe, different colours ,cuts and weights of knit. Why? Comfort, odour management, moisture management, versatility in many ways: great for in the office, on the farm, on the road, on holiday or just chillin’ out in your spaceship!

So what are the advantages of fine Merino wool? and why should Spock be wearing it?

• Breath-ability - Merino wool fibres can absorb large quantities of moisture vapour and then transfer it through evaporation into the air, keeping the skin drier. In higher activity environments and stressful times this process next to skin wicks sweat and odour (convenient when you have your phaser out and the blind aliens cannot smell you) It is so comfortable you don't even know you are wearing it as it molds to your contours and becomes part of your ecosystem. Cotton may feel cooler but will carry your odour forcing it to be washed daily and will take ages to dry from being loaded with perspiration.

• With Possum and other fibres to make the beautiful knitwear, & accessories giving the possum fibre the strength it needs to keep shape and hold together to give the luxury feel. Merino is that fibre that binds well in the spinning process. I remember fur trim hooded Jackets on Captain Kirk and crew on some of those Ice planets they visited!   (see our koru fur trimmed hat )

• Volumetric Size and weight of garments. Packing for a big trip or an overnight a couple of merino layers are all you need and they pack and fold without creasing (see elasticity) Travel Bag weight limits are managed easily when you wear merino winter or summer, be advised that 20 superfine merino tops would surprise you in what they weigh and fit in such a small space. 4kgs and in a 400mm cu space, ideal for Scotty’s locker in the engine room of the Starship Enterprise. You can carry a merino superfine beanie in you pocket (our merino beanie)

• Temperature regulation - Merino wool provides a personal aircon/heat pump system to maintain temperature regulation through its natural crimp, which creates a lot of very small insulating air pockets. Summer it is breathing out winter it is trapping heat. Add an extra layer for the cool evenings and take it off for when you come in to a regulated temperature.

• Odour resistance - We have highlighted this earlier, Merino wool breathability helps to reduce sweat and odour, keeping the wearer's skin drier and cleaner. The fibre's wrinkled shape/form and chemical structure holds odour and then lets it go in the wash. (I am not sure what happens to the smell, when you get “Beamed up” to your spaceship)

• Softness and fineness - Today Merino wool achieves incredibly high standards of fineness and softness, making it one of the most comfortable and performing fibres for luxury next to skin garments and sportswear.

• Elasticity - Merino wool is naturally elastic and sheds creases, due to its unique structure and crimp: at microscopic levels, Merino fibres are like coiled springs, returning to their original state when the stretch and extension through wear and movement is released. This helps to maintain the garment's shape and quality. Natural air drying saves you finding a tumble dryer which will shrink the coils thus the garment anyway.

• UV protection - Merino wool offers a natural protection from Ultraviolet light, you can get out there and feel safe from the rays .

(I should say something about ray guns here right?)

• Fire resistant and stores less static in comparison to other fibres. No synthetic fibre comes close. There are garments designed and certified for the Electrical trade and race car drivers have picked up on it too with some forms of racing like stock cars demanding fire proof layers. Our base layers are the same fabric.

• Versatility - Merino wool can be used in a wide variety of lightweight fabrics fine knits, dual layer knits and worsted (felted) fabrics, Merino lace or jersey, now shoes and washable reusable face-masks have come in the past year or so.

• Timeless elegance - Thanks to its elasticity, Merino wool maintains an enduring drape and shape during the whole day and under the warmest climates, making it the ideal fibre for travelers and busy business men and women.

Here is some interesting technical detail from Mr Google!

Human hair is more than 3 times thicker than merino wool.

That is why we wear Merino beanies, your hair no matter how thick will not be enough to combat the cold and breathe at the same time.

A micron (micrometre) is the measurement used to express the diameter of wool fibre. Fine wool fibers have low micron value. Fibre diameter is the most important characteristic of wool in determining its greasy value “A micron is a thousandth of a millimeter or a millionth of a meter or.000039 of an inch.

Merino wool is generally less than 24 micron (µm) in diameter. Basic Merino types include: strong (broad) wool (23–24.5 µm), medium wool (19.6–22.9 µm), fine (18.6–19.5 µm), superfine (15–18.5 µm) and ultra fine (11.5–15 µm).Fine through to Ultra fine wool is suitable for blending with other fibers such as Possum, silk and cashmere. NZ Natural Clothing has a blend of 30% Possum,60% Merino, 10% Silk in this beanie scarf, glove range.

Merino - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merino

Thanks for reading.

“Live long and prosper”

Phil Grant Director NZ Natural Clothing

phil@nznaturalclothing.co.nz