When choosing a blanket, you may see “Merino wool”, “100% wool” and “New Zealand wool”. These are not three mutually exclusive materials. Merino describes a type of sheep’s wool, a percentage describes the fibre composition, and a country name describes origin. Reading them separately makes it easier to choose.
What is Merino wool?
Merino wool comes from Merino sheep. Fibre diameter is an important factor in how wool feels: finer fibres generally feel softer. However, the word Merino does not tell you the exact fibre diameter, weave or complete composition of a finished blanket.
Woolmark’s introduction to Merino wool explains the fibre. For a particular blanket, use the product specification rather than applying every general fibre claim to that model.
What does 100% wool mean?
It describes an all-wool fibre composition. It does not, by itself, identify the sheep breed, promise a particular softness or tell you how to clean the blanket. A Merino blanket can be all wool, or it can contain other fibres. The full percentage breakdown is what matters.
Likewise, “New Zealand wool” tells you about the wool’s stated origin. It is not a separate fibre category that can automatically be ranked above or below Merino.
Three examples from Loom Copenhagen
- Fanø: 80% Merino wool and 20% nylon, 200 × 220 cm, ochre and cream with a leaf pattern.
- Møn: 100% New Zealand wool, 140 × 200 cm, grey with light fringes.
- Nyhavn: 100% New Zealand wool, 140 × 200 cm, terracotta with a zigzag weave.
Fanø is a Merino blend, not a 100% Merino blanket. Møn and Nyhavn have an all-wool composition. The models also differ in size and design, so a choice between them is about more than fibre names.
Which one should you choose for the sofa?
Start with the size you actually want. A 140 × 200 cm blanket is an option for one person on the sofa or in an armchair. Fanø’s 200 × 220 cm dimensions provide more fabric to wrap around yourself and require more space when folded.
Next, decide whether an all-wool composition matters to you or whether you are happy with a blend. Finally, compare the colours and patterns with your room. Møn’s grey, Nyhavn’s terracotta and Fanø’s ochre-and-cream pattern each create a different look.
Does Merino always feel less scratchy?
Do not treat a fibre name as a guarantee for everyone’s skin. We do not list measured fibre diameters for the three examples here, so we cannot use those measurements to rank their feel. Your preference may also depend on whether the blanket touches bare skin or lies over clothing.
If softness is your deciding factor, ask about the particular model before ordering. A photograph shows colour and pattern more readily than it conveys how a fabric feels in your hands.
Does the material decide the washing method?
No. Møn and Nyhavn have a dry-cleaning recommendation in their product descriptions. For Fanø, follow the individual care label and contact us if it is unclear. The presence of nylon is not permission to machine wash.
Read our wool blanket care guide before choosing a cleaning method.
Questions about wool blanket materials
Is Merino something different from wool?
It is a type of sheep’s wool, not a separate alternative to all wool.
Is Fanø made from 100% Merino?
No. Its stated composition is 80% Merino wool and 20% nylon.
Is a pure wool blanket always the better choice?
There is no single best choice for every use. Compare the full composition, dimensions, care and design with what you need.
Compare the whole blanket
Use material labels to understand the composition, then consider size and everyday care. Continue with our guide to choosing a wool blanket for the sofa, or browse all wool blankets and throws for current models and availability.
