Types of Wool at Bhuttico — Complete Guide

1. Merino Wool — 100% Pure, Woolmark Certified

Merino wool is the gold standard of everyday wool — finer, softer, and more thermoregulating than regular wool. Bhuttico uses 100% Australian Merino wool, certified by the Woolmark — the world's most trusted quality mark for pure new wool. When you see the Woolmark symbol on a Bhuttico product, it means the wool has been independently tested and confirmed to be 100% pure new wool. No blends, no synthetics.

Bhuttico's Merino wool is available in two yarn counts: 2/72 and 2/90. The 2/90 count falls under the ultra-soft Merino category — a finer, lighter yarn that produces an exceptionally delicate fabric. If softness is your priority, look for products made with 2/90 count.

Where it comes from

Merino sheep originated in Spain but are now bred primarily in Australia and New Zealand, where the climate produces some of the finest fleece in the world. Australian Merino is particularly prized for its exceptionally fine fibre — at 18–24 microns in diameter, it is fine enough to wear against bare skin without any itchiness.

What makes it special

• Naturally thermoregulating — keeps you warm in winter, breathable in summer. Genuinely year-round.
• Moisture-wicking — absorbs up to 30% of its own weight in moisture before feeling damp. No clammy, sweaty feel.
• Naturally odour-resistant — wool fibres bind to odour molecules, preventing them from releasing into the air. A Merino shawl stays fresh far longer than a synthetic.
• Soft enough for skin contact — fine Merino at the counts Bhuttico uses does not itch or irritate.
• Woolmark certified — independently verified purity. Not a brand claim — a tested guarantee.

Understanding Wool Fineness — The Micron Scale

Not all wool is the same — and the single most important measurement that separates a cloud-soft Merino shawl from a coarse carpet fibre is the micron. One micron is one millionth of a metre — it measures the diameter of a single wool fibre. The lower the micron count, the finer and softer the wool.

To put this in perspective: the average human hair is between 50 and 100 microns in diameter. Merino wool is generally less than 22 microns. That is why Merino feels nothing like the scratchy wool jumpers many people remember from childhood — it is a fundamentally different fibre.

The three categories of wool by micron

   [16.5 Micron is the softest one (ultrasoft)]

Bhuttico works exclusively with fine wool — Merino at under 22 microns, sourced from Australia and certified by Woolmark. This is the same category of fibre prized by the world's leading fashion houses and used in Woolmark's most prestigious collaborations.

Human hair averages 50–100 microns. Bhuttico's Merino wool is under 22 microns. That difference is what you feel the moment you hold one of our shawls.

2. Pure Pashmina — 100% Luxury

Pashmina is not a type of sheep's wool. It is something rarer — the fine undercoat of the Changthangi goat, a breed found only in the high-altitude Ladakh region of India and parts of Tibet and Nepal. These goats live at altitudes above 14,000 feet, and their undercoat grows extraordinarily fine to protect them from extreme cold.

The result is a fibre that is typically 12–16 microns in diameter — finer than the finest Merino, finer than cashmere from other regions. It is the softest natural textile fibre you can wear.

What makes it special

• Extraordinary softness — the first time you touch a pure pashmina, you understand why it has been called the "soft gold" of the Himalayas. Nothing else feels like it.
• Incredibly lightweight — a full-size pure pashmina shawl can weigh under 100 grams. It folds into a jacket pocket.
• Natural warmth beyond its weight — the fine fibre traps air in the same way Merino does, but at a lighter weight. More warmth, less bulk.
• Exceptional drape — pure pashmina falls and folds with a fluidity that no other wool matches. It is why it is the first choice for formal occasions.

A note on authenticity: genuine pashmina is rare and should be priced accordingly. Bhuttico's pure pashmina products are made from real Changthangi goat fibre — not synthetic "pashmina-feel" blends, which are unfortunately common in the market.

3. Pashmina–Merino Blend — 60% Pashmina, 40% Merino

Pure pashmina is extraordinary — but it is also delicate. A 100% pashmina shawl needs careful handling; it is not always the right choice for everyday wear. The Pashmina–Merino blend — 60% pashmina and 40% Merino wool — solves this beautifully.

The pashmina gives it softness and that characteristic luxury drape. The Merino adds resilience, strength, and durability. The result is a shawl that feels almost as luxurious as pure pashmina but can be worn daily, washed more confidently, and will hold its shape and softness over years of use.

Why this blend works so well

• 60% pashmina means the pashmina character dominates — you feel the softness and see the drape
• 40% Merino gives it structure — the shawl does not lose its shape, pills less, and lasts longer
• More accessible price point than 100% pashmina, without compromising significantly on feel
• Suitable for more frequent washing and handling

4. Angora — Blended with Merino for Wearability

Angora comes from the Angora rabbit — not the Angora goat (which produces mohair). Angora rabbit fibre is one of the warmest and finest natural fibres in the world. It has a characteristic soft, fluffy halo — that cloud-like surface that makes an Angora shawl immediately recognisable.

However, pure Angora cannot be woven into a stable fabric by itself. The fibre is so fine and so soft that it has almost no structural grip — a 100% Angora fabric would fall apart, shed excessively, and lose its shape immediately. This is not a quality issue; it is the nature of the fibre.

The solution — used by the best handloom producers in the world — is to blend Angora with Merino wool. Merino provides the structural backbone. Angora provides the halo, the warmth, and the extraordinary softness on the surface. Together, they make a fabric that is wearable, stable, and still feels like nothing else.

What makes Angora distinctive

• Warmth-to-weight ratio — Angora fibre is hollow, making it extraordinarily warm relative to how light it is. Angora blend shawls are significantly warmer than equivalent Merino pieces at the same weight.
• The halo — the soft, fluffy surface that gives Angora shawls their distinctive look. It catches light differently from any other wool.
• Plush softness — Angora fibre at 11–13 microns is finer than even fine Merino. Against the skin it feels like a cloud.

5. Polywool — Woolmark-Certified Wool Rich Blend

Bhuttico's Polywool is a Woolmark-certified Wool Rich Blend — crafted with 60% Merino wool and 40% polyester to offer the perfect balance of natural warmth, durability, and everyday comfort. Handwoven on our traditional looms and carefully steam-finished, it carries the same craftsmanship, quality, and attention to detail that define every Bhuttico product.

At 60% Merino, the wool character dominates — you still get natural warmth, breathability, and the hand-feel of wool. The polyester addition makes the fabric more durable, more resistant to pilling, and more colour-stable over time.

When polywool makes sense

• Budget-conscious buyers who want real wool warmth without the premium price of pure Merino or Pashmina
• High-frequency use — polywool handles daily wear with less pilling and great durability
• Each handloom product — durable, less pilling, cost-effective, and still retaining the natural properties of Merino wool: insulation, wrinkle-resistance, and drape
• Organisations doing large-scale gifting where cost per unit matters but quality cannot be compromised entirely

Care note: Like all Bhuttico wool products, Polywool is best dry cleaned. It can also be gently washed with lukewarm water and mild soap — the same gentle care recommended for Merino wool products.

How to Choose — A Simple Guide

Find the right wool for you

Merino, Pashmina, Angora, Polywool — browse Bhuttico's full handloom collection online. Ships across India and internationally.