Merino, wool, mohair or cotton: which knit for which day
The fiber on the label decides how a knit feels at 8am on the platform and at 10am at your desk. Here's what each one is good at.
Merino
Merino fibers are much finer than standard wool, so they feel soft against the forehead and neck instead of scratchy. Merino handles the move from cold outside to a warm room well, and it resists odour, so a merino beanie or crew can go several wears between washes. It's the best all-round choice for something you'll wear every day.
Wool
Regular wool is warmer for its weight and a little coarser. It holds texture well, which is why cables and waffle stitches look crisp in wool. Many of our wool beanies are a wool blend with nylon or polyamide; the synthetic share keeps the rib springy and the hat in shape.
Mohair
Mohair is brushed up into a soft halo, so knits look fuzzy and feel lighter than they are. A small amount goes a long way, which is why it's usually blended. Expect a little shedding in the first few wears.
Cashmere
Even a small percentage of cashmere softens a knit's handle. In a beanie, a cashmere blend gives a smoother, slightly brushed feel without the price or care demands of pure cashmere.
Cotton
Cotton breathes and doesn't itch, so it suits mild days and anyone who can't wear wool. It isn't as warm when it's damp, and it relaxes with wear. Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides; GOTS certification checks that through the supply chain.
How to read the label
- 100% merino means every fiber is merino.
- Merino blend or wool blend means there are other fibers too. Look at the percentages: 50% wool behaves like wool; 10% wool mostly doesn't.
- RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) means the wool comes from certified farms with animal-welfare and land-management checks.
Every Simms Knits product page lists the full fiber content, so you can compare like for like.
