Why Hemp + Merino?
Our family have been producing ultra-fine merino wool for over 100 years. Over that time merino clothing has grown in popularity for its warmth and softness on the skin, making it perfect for base and mid layer garments.
With the growth of fast fashion we have seen quality merino being blended with synthetics to achieve desired outcomes such as drape, strength and structure. Being advocates for natural fibres we sought to find a natural alternative... and we found hemp!
Our unique Hemprino™ blend brings together the softness and warmth of our merino wool, with the strength and environmental status of hemp.
Hemprino is knitwear for all four seasons. The lightweight nature of our range, along with being moisture wicking and antibacterial, regulates your temperature in the warmer months, pulling any moisture away from the skin and preventing smell. For the cooler months, Hemprino will keep you cosy and warm.
Hemp is an environmental super fibre which uses very little inputs to grow, so the planet loves it! It is also known for its strength and softness meaning when we blend the two, we get something pretty special.
Learn more about hemp
Hemp is a natural plant based fibre that comes from the stem of the plant in the same way that linen and bamboo do. It grows very quickly in the right conditions. It has the highest yield per hectare than any other natural fibre and requires very little, if any inputs to grow.
It is one of the most sustainable fibres you can use according to the 'Made-By environmental benchmark for fibers' which compares the environmental impact of the most commonly used fibres in the garment industry by ranking them on six common parameters: greenhouse gas emissions, human toxicity, eco toxicity, energy, water and land.
It replenishes the soil of vital nutrients and cleans the air. It can be planted repeatedly in the same soil and is often used as a rotation crop to replace vital nutrients (CFDA).
One of the biggest misconceptions of Hemp is that it is the same as Marijuana. While they both come from the Cannabis sativa plant, Hemp has very low concentrations of THC and can not be used to get a 'high'. Hemp extract from seed is extensively used in wellness and cosmetic products for its moisturising attributes.
Hemp is a heritage fibre, with remains of hemp cloth dating back to 5th millennium BC in China. Christopher Columbus sailed to America on ships rigged with hemp.
We also utilise Cotton in our labels and embroidery. Like Hemp and Merino, Cotton is a nature fibre and is biodegradable.
Hemprino™ has undergone extensive laboratory testing, with results aligned to rigorous market standards with requirements in the four key areas - Dimensional stability of wool textiles to laundering, burst strength, abrasion resistance, fabric pilling.