Merino

Merino wool is possibly one of the most sought-after varieties of sheep’s wool. Merino fleeces generally have a staple length of 2 1/2 – 4 inches, a micron count of less that 24.5, and good crimp, making it an ideal fiber for spinners. Occasionally you’ll even find ultra-fine merino fiber with a micron count of under 17.

Undyed Merino fiber is most often found in white or cream colors, but you’ll also find it in varying shades of brown and (more rarely) black. Merino wool is a good fiber for felting as well as spinning, using either a wet-felting or needle felting method.

There are normally quite a good variety of auctions on eBay for Merino roving and top. Any current auctions will be listed below. Click a picture or description to get more information and to place a bid.

denim-blend-merino-top-roving-8oz- Denim Blend Merino Top Roving 8oz.
US $16.25
End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 12:38:09 PST
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8oz-sandstone-merino-silk-roving-70-30 8oz. Sandstone Merino/ Silk Roving 70/30
US $19.00
End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 12:43:45 PST
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1lb-all-merino-wool-spin-felt-fiber-roving-many-colors 1lb All Merino Wool Spin Felt Fiber Roving Many Colors
US $29.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 21:46:49 PST
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nice!!~yak-merino-top~2oz~spinning-wool-roving-fiber Nice!!~Yak-Merino Top~2oz~spinning wool roving fiber
US $8.50
End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 3:29:33 PST
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luscious!~merino-silk-angora-top~2oz~spin-wool-roving Luscious!~Merino-Silk-Angora Top~2oz~spin wool roving
US $10.50
End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 3:30:58 PST
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nice!!~alpaca-merino-tussah-top~2oz~spin-wool-roving Nice!!~Alpaca-Merino-Tussah Top~2oz~spin wool roving
US $7.00
End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 3:31:39 PST
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merino-cross-brown-combed-top-spin-or-felt MERINO CROSS BROWN COMBED TOP,spin or felt
US $5.75
End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 6:13:11 PST
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merino-wool-top-dyed-black-one-lb-spinning-felting Merino Wool Top Dyed Black One Lb. Spinning Felting
US $19.00
End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 21:11:08 PST
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8oz-lime-green-merino-wool-top-roving-spinning-fiber 8oz Lime Green Merino Wool Top Roving Spinning Fiber
US $16.00
End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 9:57:39 PDT
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merino-white-lambs-raw-wool-fleece-2-87lb-spin-rov-felt MERINO WHITE LAMBS RAW WOOL FLEECE 2.87LB SPIN ROV FELT
US $29.70 (0 Bid)
End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 12:04:13 PDT
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Paradise Fibers also has a great select of Merino roving for spinning, in both dyed and natural colors.

If you buy a unwashed Merino fleece, keep in mind that Merino wool is extremely greasy, so you’ll lose as much as 45% in total weight after you wash the fleece.