Fleeced wool is soft and fluffy to the touch, but wears really well. It's warmer and more wind-proof than simply knitted wool and more flexible than boiled wool making it ideal for little ones.
Merino wool is a kind of wool fibre that is very fine, soft and springy and is not itchy at all to most skins. The Merino sheep usually thrives in mountainous areas at high altitudes and its wool is naturally brilliant at keeping the body comfortable at a wide range of temperatures.
All certified organic wool comes from sheep which have been farmed organically and with high animal welfare standards. At Cambridge Baby we always make sure that no wool comes from farms which practise mulesing.
Please note that under EU labelling regulations, stating the type of wool is not allowed, only a statement of "100% wool" or "new wool" is allowed. However, this garment is made from 100% organic Merino wool.
Engel's organic Merino wool is certified to GOTS organic standards by IMO. These standards are so high that even oils that lubricate knitting machines have to be analysed. With Engel, you can be assured that their dyes are baby-safe, eco-safe and that all cotton threads and finishes are natural too.
Wool (and thus Merino wool) has many benefits.
Merino wool is the wool of choice for baby and children's clothes, as well as for sportswear, because it's finer than most other wools. It's naturally springy (which makes it softer) and has a tight crimp, allowing it to trap more air, making clothing lighter as well as softer for the same excellent insulation.
Merino wool has also been proven to absorb UV across the whole range of the spectrum, giving excellent lightweight sun protection in the summer too.
Engel's organic Merino wool fleece is a very soft fabric and is easy to damage when washing. Extreme care must be taken if you do decide to wash it. Engel recommends hand washing as follows.
In the event that you do decide to wash your fleece, use a detergent designed for wool which protects and replenishes the wool's natural oils. We recommend one of our liquid wool shampoos in our fabric care section here.
To hand-wash your organic Merino wool, dilute your wool detergent in cool water, max 30C (lukewarm only, should feel coolish), in a bowl. For heavily-soiled areas, use a little gall soap on your woollens first, testing on an inconspicuous area first.
Add your woollens to the bowl, gently stirring and squeezing the detergent through. Rinse using water at the same temperature, otherwise, your wool will be subjected to "shock" and might felt up. So lukewarm/coolish at 30C again.
Things not to do! Don't wring, soak, brush or rub vigorously as the wool fibres may be damaged and your garment felt up a little and shrink. Just squeeze the water through.
To dry, gently squeeze water out and wrap your wool clothes in a towel to remove the excess water. Air-dry naturally avoiding direct heat. So, hanging on a drying rack over the bath is good, or on a clothes horse. Mine often end up over the back of chairs or on the washing line in the shade (I haven't had a problem with the heat of the English being too hot, yet, but direct sunlight is not good for wool).
Re-shape while still damp.
"Lovely thick fleece, very soft and comforting to wear (would love to have a pair of pjs in this material to lounge round the house in, would be like wearing a fluffy cloud) I've worn this a lot since I received it as it's warm but breathable and light so ideal for warm and cooler days too. Love it. Feel a bit mean just giving 4 stars but the only reason is that it doesn't have zippered pockets. This would make the jacket so much more practical as I usually carry phone and keys in my other jacket pockets but with this one being unzippered, I can't do this in case they fall out."
This was washed... not needed washing yet
This was worn by... me
Sizing: Feels true to size
I'd recommend this to a friend.
"I ordered S (38/40) which was way to wide for me, but XS was brilliant. I love the high neck which is wide enough to put my chin in if it's really cold outside. The child size 3-4 is too narrow in the neck for my son to do the same, and he thinks it's to tight if we zip it all up, so he will not wear it when it's really cold outside."
This was washed... Woolen wash 30 degrees with special woollen soap was fine.
"My husband gave me this for Christmas and I've hardly taken it off since. It is much warmer and lighter weight than a synthetic fleece. Excellent value for money."
"it is perfect...cannot fault it ...fits well, is comphy, looks casual or smart depending what you wear with it, the wool is lovely and soft without looking to soft and drap ......I love it and so does anyone that sees it!!!! Would love another for good wear!! wanted to buy one for a friend but you do not stock it anymore ...pity....."
"My wife loves this fantastic woollen fleece. It's much warmer and more comfortable than a synthetic fleece. She hasn't taken it off since it arrived. We's recommend this to everyone."
This was worn by... my wife :)
"What a find. I am so looking forward to feeling cocooned snugly in this fabulous item. The colour is delectable . and the quality is unsurpassed. I have never had an item that I was so thrilled with. Yes expensive sounding but what you get for your money is pure value. if only I could have two."
This was worn by... myself
Product 19/22