Short answer: merino is the finest sheep's wool, at roughly 17–24 microns, which makes it the softest against the skin. Peruvian Highland wool is a little coarser (ours is 22.5–28.5 microns): it is loftier, shows stitches more crisply, pills less and stands up better to wear. For fine garments worn on sensitive skin, choose merino; for chunky yarns, hats, warm sweaters and blankets, choose Highland.
Comparison chart
| Merino | Peruvian Highland | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Merino breed, today mostly from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa | Corriedale × merino cross-bred sheep raised in the Peruvian Andes, above 4,000 m |
| Fiber diameter | about 17–24 microns | 22.5–28.5 microns (our wool) |
| Hand feel | Very soft and silky | Soft, with a little grip and natural texture |
| Loft | Drapes heavily, flatter fabric | Springy and full-bodied; stitches stay well defined |
| Pilling and wear | Pills more easily | More resistant to rubbing and pilling |
| Itch | Almost never itchy | Not itchy for most people; very sensitive skin may notice it at the neck |
| Best for | Base layers, babywear, fine close-fitting garments | Chunky sweaters, hats, scarves, blankets, cables and textures |
Why microns matter
Wool fiber diameter is measured in microns (thousandths of a millimeter). The finer the fiber, the more it bends when it touches skin and the less it prickles. Prickle usually starts when many fibers are thicker than about 30 microns. Merino sits well below that; Highland sits in the middle: fine enough to feel pleasant, thick enough to have body and last.
Why we use Highland for chunky yarns
In a fine yarn, merino shines. In a thick yarn its strengths count for less and its weak points for more: a super bulky merino sweater is heavy, stretches out over time and pills at elbows and cuffs. Highland has the spring a big stitch needs: the fabric bounces back, textures and cables look clean after blocking, and the finish is matte and natural. That's why our FACES (super bulky) and BeMe (bulky) yarns are 100% Peruvian Highland wool. More about where it comes from in Peruvian wool yarn.
Which should you choose?
- Very sensitive skin and a fine, close-fitting sweater: merino.
- A chunky sweater, oversized cardigan or hat: Highland. If you feel it at the neck, wear it over a T-shirt or pick a design without a high collar.
- A blanket: Highland. It handles daily use better and doesn't flatten as easily.
- Cables and textured stitches: Highland, for its grip and loft.
Try it on a small project
If you have never knitted with Highland wool, start with a cowl: the PEBBLE HUG COWL pattern takes a single skein of FACES and is beginner-friendly. You can test how it feels at your neck before committing to a sweater.
FAQ
Is Highland wool itchy?
Not for most people. It sits below the prickle range of coarse wools, though it is less fine than merino.
Which is warmer?
Both are very warm. In chunky yarns Highland traps more air thanks to its loft, and warmth depends mostly on how thick the fabric is.
Do they need the same care?
Yes, unless they are superwash: hand wash in cool or lukewarm water (30 °C max) with wool wash, no rubbing or wringing, and dry flat. Hot water and agitation will felt both.
Do you sell merino yarn?
No. We work with Peruvian Highland wool because it performs best in chunky yarns.