When it comes to knitwear, the yarn you choose makes all the difference. At Maxted, we've long been devoted to Australian Merino, an extraordinary fibre that brings luxury, performance, and sustainability together.
Unmatched Softness
Australian Merino is famously fine and incredibly soft against the skin. Unlike coarser wools that can feel scratchy, Merino fibres are smooth and gentle, making them well-suited to next-to-skin layers.
The sheep I visited at Eulong Farm, just outside Hamilton near Halls Gap in Victoria, were two-year-olds producing wool graded at 15 to 17 microns. To put that in context, the micron scale goes up to 40, with carpet-grade wool sitting at the top end. At 15 to 17 microns, this is some of the finest wool available anywhere in the world. That's what goes into our knitwear.
Understanding Micron: Where Maxted's Wool Sits
Micron measures the diameter of a single wool fibre. The lower the number, the finer and softer the wool, and the rarer and more valuable it becomes. When I visited Eulong Farm, Peter's two-year-old sheep were producing wool graded at 15 to 17 microns, with some fibres reaching 15 microns. Here's how that sits on the full scale.
| Grade | Micron Range | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrafine Merino ✦ Maxted | Under 17.5 microns | Luxury knitwear, next-to-skin layers, baby garments |
| Superfine Merino | 17.5 to 18.5 microns | High-end knitwear, all-season layering |
| Fine / Extra Fine Merino | 18.5 to 19.5 microns | Everyday knitwear and mid-layers |
| Fine Medium Merino | 19.6 to 20.5 microns | Medium to heavy gauge knitwear, outerwear |
| Medium Merino | 20.6 to 22.5 microns | Heavier outdoor clothing, blankets |
| Strong Merino | 22.6 to 30 microns | Robust outerwear, heavy-duty knitwear |
| Coarse / Carpet Wool | 30 to 40+ microns | Rugs, upholstery, industrial felt |
Micron categories sourced from the International Wool Textile Organisation standards via Isobaa.
Natural Breathability and Thermoregulation
Merino is a natural temperature regulator. Its fibres trap warmth when it's cold but allow your body to breathe when it's warmer. That means a Merino jumper keeps you cosy in winter without overheating, and can be worn comfortably into spring and autumn.
This isn't a marketing claim. Independent testing by the CSIRO, the Hohenstein Institute in Germany, and the Ergonomics Unit at the Polytechnic Institute of Wales has confirmed that Merino provides superior climate control and moisture absorption compared to synthetic fibres. It's the science behind why Merino sheep thrive in the variable conditions of regional Victoria, and why the fibre translates so well into everyday knitwear that works across seasons.
Durable and Long-Lasting
Despite its softness, Merino is a remarkably resilient fibre. Knits made from quality Australian Merino hold their shape and wear well over time. Part of that comes down to how the wool is classified at the source. At Eulong Farm, I watched the shearing team work — a wool classer stands at the centre of five shearers, grading each fleece by colour, length, strength, and visual appearance in real time. Only the best fleece makes it to top-line bales.
That standard at the farm level is what makes the difference in how a finished garment wears over the years.
Sustainable and Responsible
We source our Merino wool through Endeavour Wool Exports, whose farms include Eulong, run by Peter, the sixth generation of his family to farm Merino sheep on that land since 1901. He currently runs 14,000 sheep across five to six thousand acres.
When I visited, Peter brought around 500 sheep into the barn so I could see the flock up close. Nothing about how that farm operates felt incidental. The quality of the rams is carefully managed each year to ensure the two-year-olds consistently produce the highest grade wool. And nothing goes to waste: even the offcuts from shearing around the face and legs are separated and used. The wool is renewable, biodegradable, and naturally recyclable.
Choosing Australian Merino means supporting farming families who have been doing this for generations.
Versatile and Elegant
From chunky, oversized jumpers to fine-gauge layering pieces, Merino adapts to every style and occasion. Its natural drape and subtle sheen elevate even the simplest silhouettes.
The day I visited the farm, I was wearing my Merino Grandpa Cardigan, and I remember thinking it felt extra special knowing exactly where that yarn came from. That connection between paddock and finished piece is something I want every Maxted customer to feel.
Want to see where it all starts? Read about Caroline's visit to Eulong Farm in Hamilton, Victoria. Or if you're ready to feel the difference for yourself, browse the Maxted Australian Merino knitwear collection.
