SHEEP WOOL, MERINO OR CASHMERE

Sheep wool, merino or cashmere: how do they differ and which should you choose?

When choosing a wool blanket, a sweater or another natural-fibre product, colour, design and price are not the only things that matter. How a product feels and how you will want to use it depends greatly on the type of wool and the properties of the fibre.

Sheep wool, merino and cashmere differ in softness, texture, weight, care and price. For some, softness matters most; for others, practicality and the natural feel of wool; and for others still, lightness and luxury.

So how do these fibres differ, and which one should you choose?

Sheep wool – the classic, practical choice

Sheep wool is a natural fibre, long valued for its warmth and comfort. It is worth knowing that wool from different sheep breeds can vary in fibre thickness, softness and texture.

Traditional sheep wool often has a more pronounced, natural woolly feel, which makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a warm, practical product for everyday use.

Sheep wool blankets are worth considering if you like natural texture, are looking for a cosy blanket for the living room or bedroom, and want a product that is not only beautiful but also practical.

Merino wool – when softness matters most

Merino is also sheep wool, but it comes from merino-breed sheep. Its main distinction is the exceptionally fine fibre, which is why quality merino products are usually softer and kinder to the skin than products made from coarser sheep wool.

Merino wool is especially worth considering if you are sensitive to coarser wool textures or if the product will often be in contact with your skin.

Merino wool blankets are an excellent choice for those who like not only to decorate their home with a blanket, but also to wrap themselves up in it.

Cashmere – when you want exceptional softness

Cashmere is not sheep wool – it is an exceptionally soft fibre obtained from the undercoat of cashmere goats.

It is valued for its lightness, softness and excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. Thanks to these properties, cashmere products can be light and thin yet pleasantly warm.

Cashmere is also a rarer and more expensive raw material, so it is often chosen when looking for an exceptional product for yourself or a gift for someone close to you.

Cashmere blankets are worth considering if lightness, softness and a more luxurious feel matter most to you. When choosing, it is worth checking the exact composition of the product, and when caring for it, following the specific manufacturer's recommendations.

Which wool is the softest?

Softness is not determined by the name of the wool alone – the thickness of the particular fibre matters a great deal.

Finer fibres bend more easily against the skin, so they usually feel softer. This is precisely why merino wool is valued by people who find traditional, coarser wool too scratchy.

Cashmere is also famous for its exceptionally soft feel. However, you should not assume that every cashmere product will automatically be softer than every merino one – the final feel depends on the particular fibre and the quality of the product.

Which wool should you choose?

If what matters most is natural texture, warmth and everyday practicality, sheep wool is worth choosing.

If you want softness and a pleasant feel against the skin, especially if you like wrapping yourself in a blanket, merino wool is an excellent choice.

And if you are looking for a light, exceptionally soft and distinctive product for yourself or as a gift, cashmere is worth a closer look.

Whichever wool you choose, it is worth considering not only its type but also the composition, size, intended use and care recommendations of the particular product.

Discover the “PureWools” blanket collection and choose a product according to the qualities that matter most to you – from practical sheep wool to soft merino or exceptional cashmere.