Over the years I’ve had a chance to work with many different merino wool yarns — from popular brands to more exclusive offerings. Each had its strengths, but only YarnArt Imperial Merino truly impressed me. Its extraordinary softness, gentleness, and ease of work make crocheting a pure pleasure.
Last winter I used Imperial Merino for the first time, and it became a sweater with a fitted turtleneck — soft and delicate yet perfect for cooler days — plus two headbands and two beanies, each sitting beautifully on the body, providing both warmth and comfort. Every one of these projects showed me how this yarn’s unique properties make crocheting genuinely comfortable.
What makes merino wool special? What sets Imperial Merino apart from other yarns? What are its strengths and which projects suit it best? And is there anything about it that didn’t quite convince me?
You’ll find all of that in this article!
General information
Yarnart Imperial Merino is a medium-weight yarn made of 100% merino wool — a natural fiber sheared from merino sheep, known for its exceptionally soft and fine wool. A 50 g skein holds 100 meters of this high-quality yarn. The manufacturer’s recommended needle/hook size is 5 mm. The yarn is available in a rich colour palette that will suit any maker. For shipping to Poland, it’s stocked at dziergaczkowo.pl and ewool.pl. At the time of writing, dziergaczkowo.pl is a little cheaper, though both shops run loyalty discounts worth checking (my favourite colours are 3308, 3310, and 3314).
Best uses
Thanks to its delicate structure and thermal properties, Imperial Merino is excellent for projects like: Shawls and scarves — light yet remarkably warm. Beanies and mittens — soft and non-itchy, perfect for winter. Children’s garments — safe on the delicate skin of babies and toddlers. Sweaters and cardigans — warm and breathable, ideal for year-round pieces.
Pros and cons
+ Softness and hypoallergenic quality: doesn’t irritate the skin, doesn’t “bite” — perfect even for children and sensitive wearers Merino wool is much finer and more delicate than traditional wool, which is what makes it so incredibly soft to the touch. Its fibers are thin and smooth, preventing the scratching or itching that often goes with regular wool. Thanks to that softness, merino pieces like sweaters or scarves can be worn with no discomfort at all, even by children or people with very sensitive skin like mine. I’m one of those people that wool generally bothers. With Yarnart Imperial Merino I made a fitted-turtleneck sweater, two headbands, and two beanies — and I didn’t feel discomfort or scratching for a single moment.
+ Warm yet breathable: keeps you warm while letting the skin breathe Merino wool is exceptional at trapping heat, which means it effectively holds in the warmth your body produces. That’s thanks to the fiber structure — microscopic air pockets that act as a natural insulating layer, keeping warmth close to the skin. At the same time, these fibers allow optimal temperature regulation, so merino garments feel right even on cooler days. On top of that, merino is a breathable fiber that handles moisture beautifully. It absorbs excess sweat and wicks it away, keeping you comfortable all day. That property means merino wool not only helps retain warmth but also prevents overheating. This natural thermoregulation makes merino garments equally at home on cool and warmer days.
+ Elasticity: doesn’t stretch out — the fabric keeps its shape even after many washes I really dislike those “blind-date” moments when a sweater I’ve made suddenly changes shape after a wash or stretches two sizes and becomes unwearable. Merino’s elasticity means blocking after washing is far easier, the fabric doesn’t stretch excessively, and you don’t have to worry about losing the shape of your work. With Yarnart Imperial Merino I noticed no significant stretching after washing, and whenever any did happen, the yarn bounced back to its original form — the sweater still looks the same even after many washes.
+ Pleasant to crochet with: friendly even for beginners The yarn is smooth and soft, which makes crocheting very comfortable. A very important feature for me is that it doesn’t split, so the work is easy and flows smoothly, and the piece grows quickly. I think that matters especially for beginners.
+ Pilling: keeps its look over time In my experience, Yarnart Imperial Merino doesn’t pill easily, especially compared to other, lower-quality wools. Thanks to its smooth and springy structure, it’s quite resistant to pilling even after long use.
+/– Care: more forgiving, but still delicate While merino wool is easier to care for than traditional wool, it still wants gentle handling — ideally hand-washing and flat drying. Improper care can rob the yarn of its properties or shrink it.
+/– Price: a mid-range yarn YarnArt Imperial Merino offers a good quality-to-price ratio — cheaper than some exclusive brands but pricier than merino blends with, say, acrylic. So while it isn’t the cheapest option on the market, it’s very reasonably priced and worth every zloty.
If you’re just trying this yarn out, it’s worth testing it with my free LORA Headband pattern, available for free here.
Final thoughts
YarnArt Imperial Merino is a yarn with many undeniable strengths. Its softness, elasticity, hypoallergenic nature, and comfort while crocheting make it a great choice for anyone looking for high-quality material for their projects. After careful consideration, it’s hard for me to find any real drawbacks. It’s firmly my number one when it comes to merino yarns. So far I haven’t found another that combines high quality, approachable price, and ease of work so well. This yarn meets all my expectations, so I can recommend it to you with a clear conscience.