Laine Mérinos d'Arles

The Arles merino wool collection consists of knitwear including sweaters, cardigans, hoodies and V-necks, alongside a shrug and a triangle scarf. These are our thickest knits, made with a chunkier yarn that creates a textured surface with characteristic unevenness. The shapes are relaxed, with crewnecks, raglan or dropped shoulders, and deep V-necks designed to be worn multiple ways, as in the Soar, Mea and Tier styles. Arles merino is a breed of sheep that developed in the South of France. The flocks still follow transhumance: in spring they are moved up to greener mountain pastures, and at the end of summer they come back down around 2,000 metres to the plains. Today most of these sheep are raised for their milk and meat. Since wool production has largely moved to Australia and South Africa, breeders have fewer spinners buying their wool, and much of it remains unused. A few local workshops still work with this wool, known for its fine, curly fibre.

Our Arles merino knits are made at a family-run knit factory in Castres that works with craft methods rooted in the region. Every piece is fully fashioned: knitted to shape and joined with a chain stitch, so no fabric is cut away and the seams lie flat. You can read more about the people behind our knitwear on our production page. Like all sheep wool, Arles merino is renewable and biodegradable. It absorbs moisture without feeling wet or cold, regulates body temperature and is breathable, which makes these knits a warm layer over our jersey and rib base layers in colder months. Its natural crimp helps the knit keep its shape and recover after stretching. Merino wool has natural antimicrobial properties that keep it feeling fresh between wears, so it can go longer between washes than most fibers. Airing it out is often enough. Store your knits folded rather than hung so they don’t stretch, with cedar wood or lavender to keep moths away.