What Are the Warmest Yarns for Winter Knitting

Winter is just around the corner. It is that time of the year when its all about bundling up in jackets, sweats, scarves, blankets and warm clothing of all kinds.

For knitters, winter is synonymous with a festival and the festivities start by purchasing some of the warmest yarns in the market. While design and pattern may be one thing, the ‘warmth’ of your projects depends on the type of yarn you choose.

If you are seriously looking for some of the warmest yarns in the world, then you should first start looking at natural fibres. Natural yarns are usually harvested from ice dwelling animals like sheep, alpacas, mountain goats, llamas, etc. However, one mustn’t keep aside synthetic yarn because they too offer excellent insulation from the cold.

Here, we have compiled a short list of some of the warmest yarns in the world. You can be assured that your garments will turn out extremely warm with any of these yarns.

Merino

‘Merino’ wool is named after the sheep it is sourced from. The Merino sheep originate from some of the coldest places in the world including New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and South Africa. The Merino Sheep is famous for its fine, soft wool that is known to be incredibly comfortable for long wearing. It is resilient, durable and perfect for even beginner knitters.

Cashmere

Cashmere wool is obtained from the undercoat of the cashmere goat. After Merino, it is the next most popular wool fibre known for its luxurious feel. It is considered to be THREE times more insulating than sheep’s wool.

Cashmere is also finer, softer and lighter than sheep’s wool making it one of the most unique natural fibres in the world. Cashmere also comes in a wide range of silhouettes and is perfect for knitting a wide range of projects. Even the simplest projects will never go out of fashion.

Alpaca

Alpaca is another natural wool derived from the fibres of Alpacas. These animals are very similar to camels and their fleece too is denser and thicker than sheep or goat’s wool. Sometimes, alpaca wool can be much softer than the latter or can even be heavier/lighter depending on the spinning process.

Alpaca is also ideal for a number of different kinds of garments as compared to any other natural yarn. The alpaca wool is equipped with tiny air pockets that provide enhanced breathability and insulation.

Nylon and Acrylic

On the list of the warmest synthetic fibres, one may find nylon and acrylic fabrics individually and/or as blends of one other. Since these fabrics are man-made, these yarns are engineered to offer maximum insulation thus making them one of the most versatile fibres suitable for both warm and cold climates.

Unlike their natural counterparts, nylon and acrylic are some of the most durable fabrics in the world. They can be used in a variety of projects and hardly require any maintenance. You can wash them, wring them or scrub them.

We hope that your questions regarding the warmest yarns in the world are now answered. For more blogs like this, visit the Vardhman Knitting Diaries: https://vardhmanknitworld.com/blogs/knitting-diaries