 |
| Source:Knittyboard |
Knitting is one of those hobbies that prove to be more beneficial than you initially think, and the more you delve deeper into it the more you come to love it.
Along with keeping you busy while allowing you to stay productive creating something valuable for you or others, it’s also great for your health and well-being. The process of knitting (specifically the repetitive movements) is of essence for the brain because it helps relax it, and as you focus on it you get the much needed distraction from daily concerns and problems.
Don’t be surprised if you end up feeling more calm and serene after this activity as there’s a release of serotonin, i.e. the happy hormone, followed by a decrease in the levels of cortisol, i.e. the stress hormone. Not to mention, if you sign up for classes, you also have the chance to meet knitting enthusiasts like yourself and to enrich your social life with new friendships and experiences. You must agree, it sounds like quite the hobby to have!
Best of all is you’ve got a wide range of options when it comes to projects, from the simpler ones to the more challenging depending on how willing you are to test yourself. In addition, you’ve got a wide array of yarns to pick from too; Still, if quality is what you’re after, you can’t overlook merino wool ball and merino blends (e.g. cotton, silk) for all your projects.
 |
| Source:Pinterest |
What is special about Merino wool?
Coming from the Merino sheep, this wool has originated in Spain over a millennium ago, and is considered to be one of the most influential breeds in terms of economy, with the ability to withstand conditions in harsh climates. Despite the origins, when it comes to wool, the major countries famous for its production are Australia and New Zealand.
With over 200 breeds of sheep, you may be wondering why exactly merino wool. Well, since it’s a finer grade wool due to the long and smooth fibre, it tends to be slightly pricier than other types of wool. However, it’s well-worth the investment because it’s got properties such as strength (up to six times stronger than cotton) and natural crimp (known for the increased resilience and stretch) which make it suitable for various knitted items, from neck warmers, scarves, cardigans, pullovers, ponchos, and hats, to gloves, mittens, socks, leg warmers, baby garments and accessories.
 |
| Source:Pinterest |
What are the benefits of Merino wool?
Choosing to use merino wool ball guarantees your knitting would be a success since it brings about various benefits you didn’t even imagine.
No Itchiness
As mentioned, this kind of wool is much softer than others since it’s considerably finer due to the smaller diameter of the fibres, much smaller even than human hair (17 as opposed to 75 on average). Thanks to this, it’s got more flexibility which allows it to gently fall on the skin, which is also why it makes for a great option for knitting garments that are to be worn close to the body.
No Sagging
The fact the fibres are so flexible means they’re elastic and can get back to their original shape easily, so you won’t have to worry your favourite knitted items would stretch more than they ought to and sag the more you use them.
No Wrinkles
This shouldn’t come as surprise given the elastic properties and it makes a great choice for people on the go who can’t bother with wrinkles and ironing. You’d love the merino wools yarns as all the clothing pieces you’d wear would be damage-proof from wrinkles from seatbelts, for example.
Natural Performance Material
If you love the previous benefit, you’d certainly appreciate the following ones too: as a natural fabric, merino wool is known for the antimicrobial, antistatic, breathable, and quick-drying properties.
 |
| Source:Gforgadget |
Eco-friendliness
The eco-conscious individuals would do well choosing merino knitting projects and wearing them because the wool is sustainably sourced (no sheep are harmed in the shearing process), considering sheep grow their new coat soon after being shorn.
Furthermore, the breathable and antimicrobial features indicate it’s resistant to bad odours which allows you to wash the items with less frequency thus cut down on the water wastage. On top of it all, this kind of wool is also biodegradable!
Provides Warmth
When you wear wool items you want them to keep you warm, not trap the heat and make you sweat like synthetic materials do. With merino, unlike other types of wool, you can count on utmost insulation and moisture-wicking which are essential for thermo-regulation year-round, not just the winter days of the year; it’s this exact property that helps beat insomnia too!
Good on Sensitive Skin
Taking all the benefits together, from softness, lack of itchiness, antimicrobial, moisture-wicking and thermo-regulating properties, it’s safe to say it’s the best choice for people with sensitive skin as it doesn’t cause any irritation.
Comments
Post a Comment