Merino Wool Clothing Love

 Merino Wool Clothing Love

I’m utterly ecstatic to be offering you all hand-made Merino Wool Clothing. 🤗

The merino wool I use is produced under what the Textile Exchange calls “Responsible Wool Standard” - RWS farms and ranchers must meet animal welfare, land management, and social requirements.

Intertwined Designs Merino wool fabric also has a ZQ Premium certification which states - Growers are committed to protecting the environment, as well as the animal welfare.

Over the past decade, I have been crafting hoodies for myself and close friends. These garments have become an integral part of our adventures in the mountains. I have long desired to share these creations with you, but I had been unable to locate a sustainable source for the fabric. I have discovered a reliable supplier of merino wool, and I am pleased to announce that I am now able to offer you a selection of hoodies, dresses, and shirts. 

If you are unfamiliar with Merino Wool, and why it makes such a great layer for outdoor activities, then read on…

~Breathability:

Merino wool breathes and manages moisture better than any other fiber. For those unfamiliar, moisture wicking fabrics pull moisture away from your skin by absorbing it into the fibers. The moisture then moves through the fabric and evaporates through the exterior.

For the same reason merino wool keeps you comfortable by keeping you dry, it also encourages breathability. We’ve found the most breathable articles to be lightweight and thin, which makes sense because air can pass through easily, allowing the fabrics to dry out. 

Merino naturally helps regulate body temperature, therefore, just like hemp, its designed to keep you warm in the winter, and cool in the summer.

My favorite layering system in the mountains is my Trail-Breaker hoodie and a wind jacket - top notch layering system for any adventure.  

~Feel:

Merino turns the notion that wool is itchy and uncomfortable completely on its head. Merino fibers are much finer and softer than standard wool and easy to wear all day. A high-end merino shirt feels softer and lighter than cotton while outperforming it in warmth, moisture wicking, and temperature regulation. As a next to skin, merino wool is hard to beat.

One of the reasons that merino wool is so popular is its warmth relative to weight. The fabric has a natural loft that traps heat very efficiently between the fibers, making it warmer than a synthetic of the same weight. But it’s also good in the heat as merino regulates your body temperature really well. Arguably, it’s just as good of a summertime material as it is winter. My first choice for any active, outdoor activity is Merino Wool.  I particularly love it for trail running, hiking, alpine rock climbing & skiing, mountain biking, and yoga because of its comfort across a range of temperatures. Sleeping in your hoodie is the best as well. 🙃

Another advantage of merino wool is its exceptional insulating properties when wet. Even during intense sweating, the Trail-Breaker Hoodie maintains warmth and dries rapidly. During my breaks, I wear an additional layer over my merino hoodie, and it is dry by the time I resume my activity.

~Odor Resistance:

Are you sick of wearing synthetic, activewear clothing that smells horrible after one use? I know I was.

Like Hemp, Wool is a porous fiber and breathes extremely well.

Because of wool’s ability to effectively manage moisture; Odor-causing bacteria don’t have the moist environment they need to thrive. Merino’s ability to absorb moisture without creating an environment to grow smelly bacteria is one of its “miracles.” 

Merino Wool is a great choice for traveling in environments where laundry is a hard to a find option. It’s also great for multi-day adventures, as your body odor does not absorb into the fiber as well.

4 of my friends did a 3 week trip into the Arrigetch Range in AK. Steph Williams wore her Trail-Breaker Hoodie every single day. She is not only a Mountain Guide, both here in the Methow Valley, and Alaska, Most importantly she’s the women behind the Cascade Wolverine Project. 

This is her quote she made on Instagram about her Hoodie: “I slept in my Betsy merino wool hoodie three weeks straight on a climbing trip in AK last summer. It’s still in great shape. Best layer ever! Thanks for crafting these hoodies Betsy.”

Throughout my global travels, I have consistently relied on merino wool clothing. In 2017, I had the opportunity to spend a month in Chile and Argentina. Unfortunately, Chile lacks laundromats, and dry-cleaning services are not readily available. Consequently, I was unable to wash my clothes during my stay. Fortunately, I had two merino hoodies with me, which proved to be a lifesaver. Living in a small van for a month made it challenging to carry extra clothing, so I was immensely grateful for the comfort and warmth provided by my merino hoodies.

Are you sold yet 😉

I’ve always said, “The 2 best fibers on the planet are Hemp & Wool - I’m so happy to be able to create high-quality, comfortable clothing out of both these materials.

~WEAR & CARE~

~How to Care for your Merino Wool Hoodie: 

The Trail-Breaker hoodie is pre-shrunk. To ensure this, before sewing, I wash the merino wool in cold water and place it in the dryer on low heat for a short duration. 

I do recommend Machine Wash COLD, Air Dry.

~Fit & Wear:

I am wearing an XS in the photos. Pitkin is wearing a large, Will is wearing an XL. 

I have a small torso, and do like my shirts a little bit more fitted. If you are unsure of what size to order, please email me, and I am more than happy to help. 

As a general rule, if you like fitted, either size down, or order your normal size. If you like a little looser, size up. 

My Trail Breaker Hoodie pattern uses the Raglan sleeve cut which naturally adds extra room to the bodice of the shirt. The diagonal seam of the “raglan” provides more room in the shoulder area giving maximum comfort and performance for the many activities you will find yourself doing in the Trail-Breaker Hoodie.

The only downfall I have found about Merino Wool, is it doesn’t have the longevity of hemp.

Over the past decade, I have been sewing my own Merino clothing. Typically, towards the end of the 1.5 to 2-year period of intensive wear, I have noticed the emergence of minor holes in the fabric. This is a common occurrence for Merino clothing from various brands, not just mine.

To minimize the risk of developing holes in your shirt, it is advisable to be gentle when taking it on and off. This approach helps prevent stress on the areas where you typically grab your shirt, which are often the most susceptible to wear and tear.

As Always, Thanks for taking your time to read, and your dedicated support to buying hand-made and sustainably made clothing.

Betsy 🧡

Follow this link to my Merino Wool Hoodies