Standard wool has scales that make it itchy and coarse and cause it to shrink. To reduce the scales and itchiness, most manufacturers treat their whole with chlorine. But chlorine is a pollutant.

To avoid the environmental problems associated with chlorine, Patagonia insists on sourcing only the softest, least coarse wool possible. Such wool comes from just three Merino sheep ranches, all located in the southern alps of New Zealand, where ranchers follow the strictest environmental mandates of low head to hectares and natural grass feeding.

With room to graze and a healthy diet, it’s no wonder these sheep produce the world’s thinnest wool—at one-fifth as thick as human hair. At such a fine gauge, this 100% merino wool does not require chlorine to make it soft. It is naturally soft on its own.

Patagonia Women’s Wild Isle Sweater features images of Nordic wilderness - conifers, full moon, snow geese and whales. Made from Patagonia’s signature soft merino wool it is exceptionally soft.

Posted on April 8th, 2008 by Olivia Zaleski