by: Patricia Bowlin

If you've ever wondered why people's eyes light up when the name Merino is spoken, then you'll want to check out this info to get the scoop on their famous blankets!

You might have thought that wool meant a heavy, cumbersome, musty olive drab green blanket. Those days were over since Merino came on the scene.

Merino blankets are created exclusively from wool obtained from white sheep that were originally grown raised around Merino Spain.

Today, Merino wool is taken from sheep and lambs in Australia and New Zealand as well. The heavy fleece shorn from these lambs is of exceptional quality and very, very soft.

The long natural fibers allow products created from this wool to be lightweight while providing extremely good insulating properties...some say possibly the best insulation possible in a woolen blanket.

Anything created with these extra long fibers are incredibly durable and will look great after years of use. It'll be resistant to flame, doesn't wrinkle easily and resists dirt naturally.

What more could you ask for in blankets for your home?

The finest quality wool in the world, the yarn used to create a genuine Merino blanket will be 100% from Merino sheep.

If the label indicates the product is lamb's wool, the wool will be even softer and more luxurious. You'll find many blankets created in solid colors to highlight the lush appearance of these particular wools.

How about sage, linen, scarlet, peach or navy for a few of your choices!

The term "hand" refers to how a fabric feels when placed in the human hand. The hand of the fabrics created from Merino wool is especially soft and silky. These bedding products feel so very luxurious, you'll want nothing else!

Let's look at a few of the most popular types of blankets created from this very special world famous wool.

Faribault Mills offers a really nifty, creative blanket created for the couple that never can agree on temperature. Their Dual-Weight Merino Wool Blanket is woven so that one side of the fabric is twice as insulating as the other side. It has a lightweight thermal weave, the breathable blanket allows the cool-natured partner to sleep on the heavier, warmer side while the other partner can enjoy the lightweight, less insulating portion.

These oversized blankets are available in king and queen size and are crafted in the United States from the finest Merino yarns. Edges are whip-stitched for elegance and the blankets are machine washable.

Eldridge Textile's Victory Merino Wool Blanket is made in Italy from the finest Australian wools. The yarn is left with a slight nap to increase thermal heat retention. The wide jacquard border on all four sides of this blanket provides for long wear and tear and come in some intensely gorgeous colors also!

One favorite I wanted to mention is made by Campagnia Lane Preziose. They provides several exceptional choices in Merino products. Like their silk and lambswool blanket, which has silk borders on all four sides. Sweet!

It's available in a color called stone, which is almost pure white. While this one costs a bit more because of the silk embellishment, the classic, elegant look makes it worth the price if you're looking for a perfect compliment to the bed or even the sofa.

You'll also find summer- weight woolen blankets and even baby blankets in a gorgeous pallet of colors that'll just thrill you!

Sure, you'll find lots of wool blankets that are less expensive than Merino.

But if you're looking for the exceptional softness and heirloom quality that come with such a blanket, then you'll be warmly surprised at all of the selections available when you shop online.

You've got the world at your fingertips!