Frequently Asked Fabric Questions

Not at all.
The softness of wool depends on the diameter of its fibres, measured in microns (μm). The lower the micron count, the finer and softer the wool feels on your skin.

At Mason William, we only use superfine merino wool:
• Our finest fibres go as low as 16.5μm, used in select items — soft enough even for baby wear.
• Most of our garments are made from 17.5–18.5μm fibres, providing luxurious comfort without any itch.

Comparison:

Fibre Type

Diameter

Feel on Skin

Mason William(select)

16.5 μm

Ultra-soft, baby-safe

Mason William (most)

17.5–18.5 μm

 Superfine, itch-free

Traditional Wool

~50 μm

Coarse and itchy

Human Hair (Adult)

~90 μm

Much thicker in comparison

Our Superfine merino wool fibres are iust 1/5 to 1/6 the width of a human hair

No — our merino wool garments are pre-shrunk and stabilised during production. They’ll maintain their size and shape when washed properly.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• Machine wash on gentle cycle (max 30°C)
• Use a wool-specific detergent
• Use a laundry bag ——recommended to prevent damage from zippers or rougher garments
• Do not bleach or tumble dry
• Do not wring, twist or rub
• Dry flat in the shade
• Do not use fabric softeners
• Do not apply detergent directly onto the garment

CARE INSTRUCTIONS:
• Machine wash on gentle cycle (max 30°C)
• Avoid tumble drying or hot water
• Lay flat to dry — don’t hang or wring
• Use a laundry bag ——recommended to prevent damage from zippers or rougher garments
• Do not bleach or tumble dry
• Dry flat in the shade
• Do not use fabric softeners
• Do not apply detergent directly onto the garment

Pilling is a natural result of friction and can occur with any fibre — natural or synthetic.

At Mason William, we use superfine, long-staple Merino wool that is less prone to pilling than coarser fibres. Combined with high-quality spinning and careful fabric construction, our garments are built to stay smooth and wearable over time.

Pilling will naturally reduce over time as loose fibres shed through regular wear and washing.

To manage pilling:
• Use a wool comb or fabric shaver to gently remove small pills
• Wash garments inside out on a gentle cycle
• Avoid excessive friction from bags or rough surfaces

Merino wool dries quickly thanks to its fine fibres and breathable structure.
• After washing, gently squeeze out excess water
• Lay flat in a shaded area
• Most garments dry within 30 minutes
• Our 16.5μm Merino wool T-shirts can dry in as little as 10 minutes on a warm day — ideal for travel, summer hikes, or beach adventures

Yes — but you probably won’t need to. Merino wool has natural elasticity, so it rarely requires ironing. After washing, simply lay your garment flat to dry — most creases will ease out on their own as the fabric returns to shape.

If needed, you can gently iron using a cool to warm setting. Wrinkles often smooth out with your natural body heat as you wear it.

Micron (μm) refers to the diameter of a single wool fibre. One micron is one millionth of a metre. The smaller the micron, the finer and softer the wool feels against your skin.

Wool that feels coarse or itchy is usually over 21 microns — which is why we only use ultrafine Merino wool for our garments.

At Mason William Merino, we select:
• 17.5μm ultrafine Merino for next-to-skin pieces like tees, base layers, and most of our collection
• 16.5μm premium Merino is also available in selected products for even greater softness

This ensures our clothing feels soft, breathable, and comfortable — from babywear to adult styles.

Yarn count refers to how thick or fine a yarn is, based on its weight and length. It’s usually expressed as a two-part number — for example, 2/30nm.

The first number indicates the number of plies (strands twisted together), and the second shows the yarn’s fineness. The higher the second number, the finer and lighter the yarn.

At Mason William Merino, most of our garments are made from 2/90nm yarns — exceptionally fine and soft. Our premium range uses 2/100nm yarns, which offer an even more luxurious feel with a silky sheen, yet remain easy to care for — fully machine washable.

We choose these yarns to ensure our clothing is soft, breathable, and high-performing — perfect for everyday wear and outdoor adventures alike.

GSM stands for grams per square metre — a measurement of fabric weight and density. It tells you how much 1 square metre of the fabric weighs, not the weight of the finished garment.

Generally, a higher GSM means a denser, heavier fabric, while a lower GSM indicates a lighter, more breathable one.

However, GSM doesn’t directly determine warmth — weave structure, fibre type, and fabric finish also play a role. Still, it’s a useful guide when comparing fabric thickness or layering options.

Fabric Options:

Fabric Weight

GSM

Description

Lightweight

~180 GSM

Soft, breathable, ideal for summer and layering year-round

Midweight

~250 GSM

Great for spring/autumn. Wear alone or as a base layer

Heavyweight

300 GSM+

Warm and dense — ideal for winter or snow sports

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