Cashmere
Collected from cashmere goats or
pashmina goats, cashmere has been
used in all sorts of ways for hundreds
of years. Cashmere yarn is seen as
a luxury bre that is itch free and
incredibly soft. Cashmere can also be
used in yarn blends in order to bring a
softness and a gorgeous sheen to a
yarn. While a luxury bre, the breeding of
goats for cashmere has been criticised
due to the way in which goats tend to
destroy land and crops around them.
However, like most natural bres, this
bre has eco-friendly bene ts including
being renewable and biodegradable.
Settle on Nettle
Erika Knight Wild Wool is a sustainable
blend of soft wool and natural nettle.
Contrary to its prickly persona, nettle
enhances the insulation and texture of
this beautiful Corridale wool.
http://www.thehomeofcraft.co.ukAmazing Angora
Bergere De France Angora yarn
is a beautiful blend of 100%
natural noble substances. This
mix of Angora and the very ne
wool of Merina sheep. Light,
warm and soft, this supple
yarn brings out the beauty in
your stitches.
http://www.bergeredefrance.co.ukGo Bananas
Similar to silk, and dyed in vibrant
colours, this yarn is created
from 100% banana bre
and consisting of a
fascinating texture.
This yarn by Darn
Good Yarn is vegan
and bio-degradable.
http://www.darngoodyarn.comNatural Yarn InspirationNatural Yarn InspirationAlpaca
There are two different types of
alpaca eece with the most common
being Huacaya, which grows and
looks similar to sheep wool. The
second type is Suri, which has more
of a natural silk look and feel and
hangs off the body of the alpaca in
locks. While Huacaya looks similar
to sheep’s wool it has many more
bene ts, in that it has no lanolin so is
hypoallergenic. This bre also has less
scales so is a considerably softer than
sheep’s wool, however, some people
may have a mild allergy to alpaca yarn
so make sure you check before you
pull out those knitting needles!Alpaca
Banana yarn
This yarn mimics silk in appearance and is made
from banana waste bres that are leftover from
sari manufacturing in India. A vegan-friendly
yarn that has a beautiful drape and interesting
texture, banana yarn is usually produced in a
super-chunky weight with a gorgeous pearly
sheen. The bre comes from the scrapings of the
bark of a banana tree and is usually handspun
by women’s co-ops in India. While available
undyed, banana yarn can be dyed deep and
dazzling colours. This is a yarn that can be
used for a variety of projects and, with a super-
soft feel, can be used to make garments with
fascinating textures.Created from the Angora goat and noted
for its high lustre and sheen, mohair is
used in blends of yarn and also on its
own. Hugely fashionable in the 1980s,
mohair is making a strong comeback and
is perfect for creating a gorgeous halo
on knitted garments when held togetherwith another yarn. Considered one of the
oldest bres in the world, it is common
for mohair to be blended with silk and
is ideal for shawls and accessories.
Durable and resilient, mohair takes dye
especially well so can be found in some
brilliant shades.Mohair