Our exclusive collection of Merino Wool pieces offer a range of clothing and accessories for babies right through to 7-8 year olds. What sets our merino apart from the rest is our premium quality and softness. We source our wool from local New Zealand sheep, which is certified and traced ethically from farm to finished fabric. Our wool is a superfine grade of 18.5 microns and made into a lightweight jersey knit fabric which is ultra-soft against sensitive skin. Not all merino wool is created equal, but you only have to feel our merino products in your hands, to know you are holding a truly special piece of clothing. It is our hope that babies and children get to experience the joys of life through wearing the best that nature can provide.
Merino Wool is natures super fibre – it is the most technical natural fibre on the planet. No lab can create what nature has spent hundreds of years doing herself. Synthetic fibres have been trying to mimic the performance and attributes associated with wool for years, but they cannot. In addition, wool is a natural fibre, and as such is both renewable and biodegradable. So it is not only gentle on the environment, it is also gentle on you.
Superfine: not all merino wool is created equally. One of the most important markers of quality for any merino fibre is its micron level. This is a measurement which determines the fineness of the fibre, which directly relates to how soft it is to touch. The lower the micron, the higher the quality. Lower micron wool is harder to come by, making it an incredibly valuable commodity. Like with all commodities, wool is traded on the open market. The supply of higher micron wool is more readily available, much higher in volume and as a result lower in price. Low micron merino wool is highly sought after, prized for its superior softness and ability to be worn against the skin. But there is a limited, small supply of this wool making it incredibly valuable. Being able to offer such a highly prized grade of wool to our customers is something we are incredibly proud of, and you will know the difference when you feel it between your fingers and against your skin. It is truly remarkable.
Warm yet Lightweight: all wool, regardless of its micron count, possess the amazing ability to help regulate temperature. When you think back to what wool is – wool is the fleece that covers a sheep to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer. Without the ability to regulate their temperature, the sheep would not survive and would be extinct. Modern sheep have been bred to not ‘drop’ their fleece in summer, instead we harvest the fleece through annual shearing of a sheep. The skilled people who take the fleece form a sheep are called Shearers. The act of shearing is the same as a hairdresser, cutting the hair from our heads. The difference being, that the wool form a sheep needs to come off in one complete fleece, not is small cuts. The need to shear a sheep is beneficial for the sheep, as they are cooler in summer and also us as we get to use this fleece to create the fabric which we can cloth ourselves to protect us from the elements. Where merino wool differs from higher micron wool (or strong wool), is its fineness. This fineness relates to weight as well, resulting in a lighter weight fabric, with the same important warmth characteristics. Making our merino fabric the most functional for layering and having against the skin, allowing movement and added warmth.
Allows for movement: as well as being lightweight, our merino yarn is knitted into a single jersey fabric. Being a knitted fabric means it is made from a single yarn, which is looped around itself to create a piece of flat fabric. It is the way in which the merino yarn is knitted that gives the fabric stretch. This stretch is useful when made into a garment or accessory as it allows the wearer to move and grow. And incredibly important characteristic for children who are experiencing the world and all its wonder.
Washable: it is not enough that we have chosen natures superior fibre to make into fabric for your young ones, we also understand that clothing is made to be worn. And as such, it is inevitable that it will need to be washed. As parents ourselves we know that time is precious and the thought of having to hand wash all our clothing is not feasible. The merino wool we use can be washed in a regular washing machine, making it low maintenance so you can focus on the things that matter most.
ZQ Merino is a certification of wool, that stands for a better quality of life for the sheep, the farmers and the environment. The grade of ZQ Merino that we use, comes exclusively from New Zealand sheep and can traced back to the group of farms it originated from. As New Zealand sheep make up only a small portion of the worlds merino wool supply, there is limited supply and therefore highly prized and a more premium product. For more information on the ZQ standard please visit their website here.
Animal Welfare: ZQ sheep graze on free range pastures in the high country stations throughout New Zealand. “Healthy sheep naturally provide the best quality fibre”. The five standards of freedoms are what all ZQ farmers practice to ensure healthy and happy sheep: free from thirst, free to live naturally, free from discomfort, free from distress and free from disease.
Environmental Sustainability: “Heathy animals rely on healthy environment, as do our future generations”. ZQ growers create a Land Environmental Plan to manage the impacts relative to their individual properties. As all farms are different, this look different for each farmer. This may look like planting native trees, or protecting native species of animals on their farm, or creating clean and safe waterways.
Quality Fibre: poor health and stress, like with humans, is transferred into the fibre of the hair. As ZQ sheep are healthy and thriving the natural fibre is more uniform in diameter. This ensures consistently high quality, and performance seasons on season. Add to this the classing of the wool (inspection of its quality) is done by hand from expert classers.
Traceable to Source: wool is sold on the open market. With ZQ wool, the growers are connected to the end brands that buy their wool. Wool is produced for a specific purpose and end use, and prices are set to reflect the hard work and skill required to farm these sheep. This process is audited by a third party to ensure that there is impartial monitoring and checking of the process.
Social Responsibility: the safety of the farmers, their families and those working on the farms is supported through the ZQ programme. Fair wages and income stability for farmers through the contract model of selling their wool.
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