Luxury yarn

Luxury knitting yarn: cashmere, silk and fine fibre blends

Luxury yarn is not an officially standardised fibre type. The term usually describes yarn made from cashmere, silk, camel or alpaca wool, high-quality merino, kid mohair and carefully selected blends. A fibre's name alone does not determine its value: the proportions, fineness and length of the fibres, their selection, the yarn's twist, production method and finish all matter. Before choosing, check the details on the label rather than relying on the word “luxury”.

Cashmere yarn

Cashmere comes from the undercoat of cashmere goats and is valued for its very fine fibres, which produce light, warm fabric. The range includes 100% cashmere yarns, such as Cardiff Cashmere CLASSIC and Cardiff CASHMERE Small, as well as blends with silk or wool, such as Cardiff Cashmere PRIME, Lana Gatto VIP and Bertagna Filati ECOCASHMERE. Pure cashmere yarns and cashmere blends differ in length per ball, texture, drape and care requirements. Find out more in our cashmere wool yarn category.

Silk and silk blends

Silk can add strength, smoothness, a subtle sheen and drape to yarn, although the final result depends on its construction. Laines du Nord LUXURY SILK and Rosarios4 MADRAGOA are examples of 100% silk yarn, while DROPS KID-SILK, Lana Gatto SILK MOHAIR, Rauma Garn ALPACA SILK and Concept by Katia ZEKKEI combine silk with mohair, alpaca or merino wool. Fine mohair and silk yarn can be knitted on its own, with several strands held together or alongside another yarn. Compare our silk and mohair yarn.

Alpaca, camel and merino wool

Alpaca wool can provide warmth and a soft drape, camel wool has a distinctive warm feel, and fine merino wool is often chosen for a more elastic fabric. Cardiff CAMMELLO Classic, Kremke BABY ALPACA LACE, Bertagna Filati PRESTIGE and Laines du Nord POEMA show how much yarn weights and fibre blends can vary within the luxury category. A fibre's origin does not guarantee that it will feel equally soft to everyone, so assess a swatch before choosing yarn for sensitive skin. Compare our alpaca, camel and merino wool yarn.

Pure fibre or a blend?

Yarn made entirely from one fibre gives a clearer sense of that fibre's properties, but a blend may be more practical for a particular project. Silk can strengthen a fluffy mohair yarn, wool can add elasticity, and another fibre can affect the price, weight or care requirements. A blend is not automatically inferior to a pure fibre: what matters is whether its construction suits the finished item. Check both the fibre names and their percentages on the label.

How to compare yarns

When comparing two yarns, look at the fibre percentages, length per ball, ball weight, recommended gauge and care instructions. Yarns made from the same fibre can vary greatly in thickness and twist. The country of manufacture or a higher price may provide useful context, but neither determines whether a yarn is suitable for your project. For certification, animal welfare or traceability claims, refer to the individual product's documentation.

Which projects suit luxury yarn?

Fine cashmere and silk yarns suit lightweight jumpers, scarves, shawls and delicate details. Mohair blends can be used for fluffy cardigans and garments for layering, while medium-weight merino or camel wool yarns suit hats, jumpers and accessories. A gauge swatch is especially useful when working with an expensive yarn: it lets you assess the feel, stitch definition, finished dimensions and effects of washing and care.

Planning quantities and care

Calculate the quantity using the yarn length specified in the pattern, your chosen size and a washed gauge swatch. If the pattern gives the length for one strand, multiply it by the number of strands when knitting with several identical strands held together. If the pattern already gives the combined length for all strands, do not multiply it again. For a larger project, choose enough yarn from the same dye lot at the outset. Choose knitting needles or a crochet hook to suit the yarn's construction and the required gauge. Always follow the individual yarn label when caring for cashmere, silk, mohair and other delicate fibres. Explore the full range in our yarn for knitting and crocheting category.