Italian merino wool

Lana, is the name of our new pure native Italian wool yarn. It is an Italian merino wool, coming from Gentile breed merino sheep.

It is an all-Italian yarn, with a controlled and certified supply chain, at Km 0.

The attention to the environment and made in Italy is by now a focus of Bettaknit. We are increasingly committed to the search for ecological yarns that have a minimum impact on the environment, hence the choice for a wool with a km 0 supply chain.

What is “Lana“, our Gentile Italian Merino?

A simple name that embodies the essential meaning of this yarn: Wool.

It is a 100% merino wool, obtained from the fleece of sheep of an Italian native breed from the ancient origin.

The origins of the Merino Gentile di Puglia breed, in fact, date back to the 15th century. In those days, Italic sheep breeds were crossed with Merino sheep donated to the Papal State by the Spanish rulers, who until then had jealously guarded this precious breed of sheep.

Over the centuries, there have been selections and further crossings with European merino breeds, aimed at improving the characteristics of the fleece, up to the present-day breed, called “Gentile di Puglia”, which produces a white and very fine merino wool, with a micronage that oscillates between 18 and 26 microns.

Controlled supply chain: 100% Italian

Wool is bred in Southern Italy, mainly in Puglia and Abruzzo, where the breeders, united in a consortium, are committed to maintaining the purity of the breed, to ensure a production of wool with a high quality standard and rigorously controlled.

It is thanks to the commitment of the breeders that it is possible to certify the origin and traceability of a wool with a 100% Italian supply chain, from harvesting, to selection, up to transformation into yarn to get to your hand-made garments.

What are the characteristics of our Gentile merino wool yarn?

Lana is high quality yarn; it is a natural, resistant wool, with all the characteristics of merino wool:

  • natural, produced from sheep raised in Italy, in natural environments, in the wild
  • biodegradable: wool decomposes in the soil within a few years and does not pollute with each wash like some synthetic fibers do
  • recyclable: being virgin wool, it can be recycled over and over again
  • resistant to creasing and pilling: each Merino wool fiber is like a spiral spring which returns to its natural shape
  • breathable and thermoregulatory, that means, it is warm and cool at the same time: Merino wool reacts to changes in body temperature by keeping you warm in cold weather, but dispersing heat and humidity in hot weather
  • resistant to stains and odors: merino wool is able to absorb the water vapor released by sweat, responsible for the bad smell, carrying it outwards and keeping the wearer drier. In addition, the merino wool fibers have a protective layer that prevents the absorption of stains. But not only! Merino wool does not generate static electricity so it attracts less dust and lint. So there is no need to wash it frequently.

These characteristics make Lana a yarn with multiple uses.

Lana: some useful facts

Lana, is a 100% Italian Gentile Merino wool yarn, mulesing free.

It looks like a classic yarn, with 2 plies twisted together, with a traditional look. It is packaged in balls of 50 g by 160 meters and is available in 16 colors.

Slightly dry to the touch, and with a “vintage” look typical of the wools of yesteryear, this yarn is very suitable for both knitting and crocheting. Moreover, precisely because of its appearance, it works well both with well-defined and for openwork stitches.

We recommend knitting with a needle size from 4 mm to 4,5 mm (if need them, you can find them here!), depending on the tension, or project. If you prefer crochet, you can use a size ranging from 4 mm to 5 mm (haven’t you tried our Maplewood crochet hooks yet? Find them here!).

Finally, as far as washing is concerned: no counter-indications! Lana loves water, but not dry cleaning!

Wash by hand your wool garment, with a little neutral soap and cold water. Don’t wring out the garment, but gently rinsed and dabbed with a towel to remove excess water. It should then be dry flat on a terry towel, away from excessive and direct heat sources.

You can also wash Lana in the washing machine. But first be sure it has a special wool washing program that does not make a complete spin!

 

If you love natural yarns and the real Made in Italy, as we do, you’ll love Lana for sure!

For doubts or further clarifications on the Bettaknit world, do not hesitate to contact us. We will be very happy to answer! Contact us via our social networks (Facebook, Instagram) or by writing to betta@bettaknit.com!