By: Blonde Two
I was talking yesterday about how good at decorating Mother Nature (Blonde) is but she is very good at other things too. For example, keeping warm. There are many natural fibres that are wonderful and cosy but today I thinking about one in particular – good old fashioned wool.
Let’s think about wool for a minute. Have you ever seen a sheep shivering? Do you see them donning hooded jackets and gloves (apart from Herdy of course who wears all sorts of things http://www.herdy.co.uk/blog). Of course not – Mother Nature (Blonde) knew what she was doing when she dressed her sheep (unlike Bo Peep who lost hers, silly girl).
I am sure we have lovely British sheep and I have enjoyed many Shetland jumpers in my past – sometimes they were even my own, but today is the day to big up merino. This decision came about when I undressed after my rather cold walk yesterday and I counted six items of merino origin in my attire (this could be an obsession in the making). Indeed, if you count the undies (two) it is maybe possible that I was wearing a whole sheep.
Merino sheep seem to mostly live in New Zealand these days and I have met a few (hundred). They originally came from Spain (don’t say this to a Kiwi). They are very, very woolly (the sheep not the Kiwis) and look like they would be very small if you sheared them. Their wool is fabulous, it doesn’t get too hot in the summer and keeps you toasty in the Winter. The negative side of the story is that it doesn’t come cheap – unless you go to New Zealand where you can buy merino in any shape you would like across any price range you would like. My most unusual items are a merino and cotton nightie (toasty but not sexy) and a merino and possum fur hat.
Icebreaker are the king of merino and are in all of the outdoor shops. I am a big fan – although I limit myself to one Icebreaker treat a year which might explain the holes in some of my more loved items. You could say in fact, that I, Blonde Two, am a Blonde in sheep’s clothing!
I haven’t yet been rich enough to afford a merino baselayer which I have read so much about and how wonderfully warm they are and how you can wear them day in day out for a week and they don’t smell. I really should invest in an item – maybe a “back to walking” treat next year!!! Although I keep nice and warm when walking I am terrible for sitting around in a tent and getting cold – even in the middle of the summer – although recently, thats not much different to the winter. Must start saving! Even yesterday, sat watching the tv, I had the fire on and the heating and was wearing a tshirt, hoodie and down gilet, oh and hood of said hoodie up and I was just about warm!!! Useless me!!!
Oh are you related to Miranda????? Everytime I watch her recently I think of you!!!! xxx
I’ve not found merino base layers to be to be that much more warm in themselves – you’d probably feel as cold as before just sitting around. However I find I tend to feel less chilled after being active because, in common with all wool, they retain much the same thermal properties when wet and genuinely wick moisture from the skin. They’re less clammy than synthetics and I find them more comfortable over a range of temperatures. On the other hand, and this is arguably less of a problem because of wool’s properties, when they are wet they remain wet for much longer. They also require a bit more care washing.
Of all people, Mr Woolly, you should not be bothered by having to hand wash your woollies.
Well, that is a compliment – am no relation but both Blondes are fans. Had to not look at each other day when paying for lunch and the nice lady said “bear with” so as not to offend.
Such Fun!
Check out Aldi’s merino wool T shirts – although not 100% merino, at £15 a shot they’re very good value and suit me fine.
They should be coming on offer at any time now.
JJ
Now that is an exciting proposition and would be great for some of our shivery youngsters as well as us chilly Blondes. Thank you for the tip!
During a spell of some very cold weather I asked a Welsh farmer if the sheep were ever taken indoors to shelter. He explained to me that Welsh mountain sheep get very distressed if they are taken indoors and need to be out in the fields. So that tells you how effective their wool coats are and why the Marino wool is so effective in keeping you warm. Although I would draw the line at woolen undies or pyjamas . Too itchy!