Fine Wool Knitwear Explained: Microns, Ply, Gauge, and Grade

Microns (μm)

A Micron (μm) is the unit used to measure the diameter of a wool fiber. The smaller the Micron measurement, the finer and softer the wool. The finest wool is considered anything less than 24 μm. To put that into perspective, the average human hair measures around 75 μm thick.

The longer and thinner the wool is, the more durable the yarn is. Not all wool is created equally; in fact, it is a very complex fiber. While there are certainly other variables at play, these are the most measurable metrics availble to grade fine wool.

Fine Wool Quality Grading Scale

Fine wool (Cashmere Wool, Merino Wool, Alpaca Wool, etc.) is graded based off of two main facors: fineness (Microns) and length. After herders have collected raw wool, it must be sorted into 3 separate categories: Grade A, B, and C.

GRADE FINENESS LENGTH

A

Finer than 19 μm

Longer than 36 mm

Grade A is the highest quality of wool. It signifies the softest and most durable natural fibers available. All of our wool garments are made with Grade A wool.

GRADE FINENESS LENGTH

B

Ranges from 19-24 μm

Ranges from 29-35 mm

The majority of knitwear on the market is made with Grade B wool. This wool is of great quality but is slightly less soft and durable than Grade A.

GRADE FINENESS LENGTH

C

Thicker than 24 μm

Shorter than 28 mm

Grade C wool is much less soft and durable than Grade A & B. Most fast fashion brands use Grade C. It is commonly used in cashmere garments priced under $200.00 USD.

Gauge

Gauge (gg) is a measurement that defines the number of stitches per inch on a knitted garment. Most knitwear comes in a range of 3gg-16gg.

Simply put, the lower the gauge, the heavier and warmer the garment will be. For example, a 3-gauge sweater will have a chunky look while a 16-gauge sweater will be much thinner and lighter.

3gg-7gg

Perfect for cold weather

7gg-12gg

Perfect for cold and cool weather

12gg-16gg

Perfect for warmer weather and layering

The most durable knits tend to be around 5gg-12gg as this allows for a thick composition while still using Grade A wool.

Ply

Plainly stated, ply is the number of strands twirled together to create a single thread of yarn. Knitwear is most commonly produced in 2-ply or 4-ply.

Generally, 2-ply is best suited for fine wool like Cashmere or Merino Wool; while higher plies such as 4-ply add additional weight, but do not indicate additional warmth or quality.

Our Favorite Knits

2-ply; 7-gauge; Grade A (Merino Cashmere)

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2-ply; 7-gauge; Grade A (Merino Cashmere)

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2-ply; 5-gauge; Grade A (Merino Cashmere)

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Our Collection