Lisa, I am pretty sure it is merino wool, at the ibex website it says its made of (O-Wool™) which it defines at a different part of the website as this wool spun by that place in VT I just posted the link to where that it says is spun from organically fed australian merino sheep.

The two sweaters they state at the Ibex webiste are made from this (O-Wool™) are the puzzle sweater and the organic sweater.

http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/Product...rganic-Sweater

The puzzle sweater says under info: 100% organic merino (O-Wool™)

The organic sweater just says: O-Wool™ 100% certified organic wool

but since both say (O-Wool™) which they defined as wool spun from organically fed australian merino sheep I think its safe to conclude that it is merino.

BUT alas, I must send it back because it is much too big on me! The medium, even layered over a kate, thick cotton top, and my small shak, has oodles of room still left. To be honest, it fits me like a large would in most brands, even the shoulders hang off my shoulders, so its a very generous cut. Its a very nicely made piece, but its also quite heavy. I would call it more of a jacket than a sweater. GLC asked about the shade of charcoal, I would say while its not purply like the thistle heather, it would definitely coordinate with it, so its on the lighter end of the charcoal grey scale. It would go with all shades of grey, black, purple, etc. no problem.

For me the problem was it wasn't available in small, and given the way the Medium fits me, I would say I need even an XS in this item. Also, for where I live its much too heavy. For my trip, I can just layer my PI gavia jacket over my shak, or a fleece, if I need another layer.

So, now the question is if I want to reorder that small black shak. Do I want to, heck yes. But will I, sadly no, cuz at this point given where I live I can make due with the pieces I have. But if that strato sweater goes on sale in small...........

I think the base layers I have on order are more suitable for where I live, to layer under the things I have already on those days when more warmth is required. Even though I would love to toss my existing wardrobe and it replace it all with merino wool, I just can't afford to do that right now.