Merino Wool and Norwegian Wool Yarn | Nara Knits

Merino wool yarn

Almost every sweater starts with wool. Norwegian wool, like Peer Gynt, is hard-wearing and holds its shape: pieces knitted from it look the same after years of wear. Merino feels noticeably softer against the skin, so pick it if you are knitting something worn next to the body, or for someone who finds wool scratchy. You will find both here, in several thicknesses, from fine yarns for delicate knitting to thick ones that grow quickly on the needles. If you don't know how many balls you need, the yarn calculator tells you exactly, in your size.

Frequently asked questions about wool yarn

Both are wool, but they behave differently. Peer Gynt is Norwegian wool: the fibre is thicker and tougher, it holds its shape, stands up to daily wear and is the classic pick for winter sweaters and colourwork. Merino has a much finer fibre, so it feels soft against the skin. Double Sunday and Fine Merino are merino, while Tweed Supreme is extrafine merino with a tweed look.

Far less than ordinary wool. The prickle comes from the thickness of the fibre, not from wool as a material: fine fibres bend on contact with the skin instead of poking it, and merino is among the finest wools there is. If you are knitting for someone sensitive, go with merino. If you are unsure how it feels, order a free sample and test it on your skin before buying for the whole project.

Start from the pattern, because that is where the gauge you need is written. As a guide: thicker yarns grow fast on the needles and give a substantial winter sweater, while thin ones such as Tynn Peer Gynt take longer but give a fine fabric you can wear under a jacket. Quick rule: the higher the meterage per 50 g, the thinner the yarn.

It depends on the pattern, the size and the yarn you choose. Two yarns of the same thickness can have different meterage per 50 g, so the amount you need differs too. Run it through the yarn calculator: you pick the pattern and the yarn, and it tells you how many balls you need in your size. It also works the other way around, if you want to substitute the yarn recommended in the pattern.

Wool does not get dirty quickly and most of the time airing it out is enough. When it really does need washing, use lukewarm water, wool detergent and a wool cycle or hand washing, with no rubbing and no wringing. Dry it flat, not on a hanger, or it will stretch. Avoid the tumble dryer, which felts wool irreversibly. Always check the ball band too, because not all yarns behave the same way.

Sandnes Garn is the Norwegian mill behind Peer Gynt and Double Sunday, the yarns most knitted in Scandinavia. Majo Garn is a French brand and brings the fine merino, made for wearing next to the skin. Here you can see all our knitting yarns, if you want to compare with other fibres.