Presenting new materials: Extra fine organic merino wool

October 02, 2018

For the first time in the history of TAUKO, we are presenting products that are made from wool. It took us quite a while to find the kind of wool that fits to our needs: whose manufacturing methods are not harmful to the environment or to the health and well being of people, plants, and animals, and that has the best qualities for design and the user. With the Lost Cargo collection, we are proud to offer organic merino wool, an exquisite material to our customers, and turn yet another page in our story.

What is merino wool?

Merino is a breed of sheep highly prized for its soft and finely crimped wool. The diameter of merino wool is smaller than other wool and this makes it so fine and expensive. Because of its thin diameter, merino isn’t itchy or rough like thicker wools but still offers impressive warmth and moisture wicking capabilities. Only after the second World War wool was instroduced to fashion. And still today it is highly associated to extreme outdoor and sports clothing.

Merino sheep developed in Spain and were highly prized for their fine wool. In 1797, the first Merino sheep, derived from the famed Royal Merino Flocks of Spain, were introduced into Australia. Nowadays Merino sheep can be found in all Australia, Europe and America. The merino wool that is used for TAUKO collection items originates from South America. It is spun into yarn in Czech republic and knitted, cut and sewn in Finland.

The special and highly appreciated merino sheep are sheared in spring for the wool production. Shearing is the act of harvesting wool fleece from a sheep. The wool fiber is a hardened protein, and does not contain any sensory structures.

Annual shearing benefits both the sheep as well as the wool producers and users. Shearing in the spring allows the sheep to begin growing their wool in time to have a full coat by winter.

Merino wool has many unbeatable qualities that no synthetic or cellulose (eg. Cotton) fibres have. It is also much more durable than cotton. This is one of the main reasons why we wanted to add the material into our collections.

Merino wool is:

the softest wool of all
feels good on the skin
pleasantly flexible
warms comfortably
breathes and does not make you sweat
absorbs moisture without feeling wet
keeps you warm even when moist
neutralizes body odour
airing helps to remove odours
fireproof

Organic and mulesing free

Producing designs that are based on material that has an immediate effect on the wellbeing of others, we want to make sure that our production does not harm anyone involved. This is the simple reason why we chose organic merino wool instead of the traditional merino, though it is twice as expensive. We want to show that we care and we want to challenge our customers to do the same.

The principles of organic wool production come down to the well being of the pasture and the sheep: attention is paid to the fertility of the soil, crop rotation, the nutrition and health of the sheep, and pest control. Synthetic pesticides, hormones, vaccinations, and genetic modification are prohibited. Good livestock practice and breed specific treatment are a given. The sheeps have an access to outside at all times. Mulesing, the practice of removing strips of wool-bearing skin from around sheep’s buttocks to prevent flystrike, is prohibited.

We are proud to present a collection that is made from rare and exquisite material. The qualities that is has and the effect it makes for fashion industry is noticeable. Horizon and Port cardigans, Scale shirts, Line beanies and Port scarfs are designed for long your lasting favorites.