Merino Clothing (base layers, etc)

If they look otherwise clean, I'd guess it's just felting of the fibres at the surface of the fabric; not sure there's anything you can do about that, especially as most baselayers are so fine.

I used some merino wash from Grangers that really freshened up mine.

looks promising, ta

nah I think it's ingrained "me"... I mean they've been washed, and they're clean-ish, but they just never get a very vigorous wash, and the rougher they get the more they pick up skin cells and stuff.
reading up, bicarb might start to eat at the wool protein, but vinegar is suggested.

Hand wash ‘em?

yah. will give handwashing in grangers a go.

I ended up using one of the more aggressive spot removers when all else failed - it actually did a good job and saved my oldest icebreaker (made in NZ!) for a little while longer.

old news, but my mum turned a moth eaten Howies merino t shirt into a toddler sized one.

I'll look for a photo of it, or I'll look for it and take a photo

Edit: found one, excuse the mess

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This reminds me of the best merino shirts ever made. I got them when howies still had the store
on Carnaby Street, so around 8 years ago. I have all 4 still in constant rotation, some have
gone through accidental 60 degree washes and are still fine, just getting thinner.

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Same as my 10+ year old Icebreaker, don't make 'em like they used to.

mum turned a moth eaten Howies merino t shirt into a toddler sized one

Haha, so cool!

this talk of moth eaten... anyone used needle felting to patch moth holes?

I was told merino goes brittle over time as the lanolin and other natural oils get washed out and the fluffy fibres become less fluffy and more compacted.

oh! this would explain some of it. although, the wash I use contains lanolin so should go some way to mitigate that.

Anyone got recommendations for nice, white / off-white / eggshell / light grey merino baselayers, and also knit wool sweaters?

I’ve just received a Dilling base layer which looks really good on first sight. Eco-friendly dyeing process was a big plus for me.

Thanks very much, this does look good!
Also a lot of stuff on sale at the moment..

For the wool sweaters, you mean seriously heavy or?
Alpaca is nice, various Aussie and New Zealand makers out there.
I've also had good products from Herning, Shackleton and a few Guernsey makers.

Swrve did amazing off white ones about ten years ago. I wore mine until they died, never did find out where they got them from.

For the wool sweaters, you mean seriously heavy or?

I think most people would just go and buy a good fleece pullover for what I need it for (sitting around in a chilly enviroment for two hours without moving much), alas I want natural fibres. Must be white (-ish) ..bonus points if it doesn't look like my grandma made it.

Swrve did amazing off white ones about ten years ago.

Putting this on my to-do list for when The Doctor is picking me up next time then!

I prefer wool as well, you looked at my recommendations?

Yea I just did, there are some nice things but it's all rather dark and colourful.. also not willing to spend close to two hundred on a pullover right now..

White(ish) is going to be the tricky bit. For sitting around and staying warm I like my submariner roll-neck (though it's not especially windproof); it is a bit utilitarian/Captain Birdseye, mind. Light grey will be a lot easier to find, and plenty of high street options there for a light/mediumweight wool sweater; M&S lambswool knits are as good as any, and easy to get hold of.

Saint James or like that?