Warm yarn // what works best?

Dear users, dear authors,
If you want to make warm clothing by hand, which yarn is best suited for that?

Is there also lint-free, warm yarn for babies?

That’s a good question, Josefa.

I prefer animal fibers. I also like slightly coarser virgin wool, though many people find it a bit scratchy. Merino (virgin wool from Australian Merino sheep), however, is often treated so that it’s very soft and smooth—and therefore, of course, suitable for people with sensitive skin.

Alpaca is also becoming increasingly available—as pure alpaca yarn or as a blend with virgin wool. Just like yarn made from cashmere goats or camel hair, this yarn has the advantage that the animals live in sometimes very extreme conditions (very cold to very hot), and their coats have adapted accordingly. These yarns have both warming and cooling properties.

The only ones really missing are the very hairy yarns like mohair and angora, which are particularly warm due to the high air pockets between the protruding fibers. It’s hard to believe that even knits that look very open-weave can be extremely warm.

What I also find particularly great about animal fibers is that they can absorb a high amount of moisture without feeling wet and cold against the skin. They wick body moisture away, making them ideal for people who sweat a lot.

For me, merino wool is clearly the favorite. For those with sensitive skin who find it itchy, conditioned merino wool is ideal.
Conditioning smooths the surface, making the wool soft and not fuzzy.

Angora is also very soft, but I would advise against it because the way the wool is harvested isn’t particularly animal-friendly.

You can also make the more affordable virgin wool very soft by soaking it in a warm solution of wool wax—or, alternatively, hair conditioner—after you've finished making it.

Guten Morgen!

Ich nutze auch gern Merinowolle - vor allem auch für Babys und Kinder.
Außerdem arbeite ich gern mit Sockenwolle - für den Winter am Liebsten mit 6- oder 8fädiger - oder mit reiner Schurwolle. Wie man die besonders weich bekommt, hat maksdesign ja schon beschrieben, wobei weder ich noch meine Kinder oder mein Mann besonders kratzempfindlich sind...

Es gibt inzwischen auch tolle Kunstfaser-Garne, die prima warm halten, günstig, pflegeleicht und dauerhaft schön sind - besonders "Microfaser"-Garne sind auch kuschelweich...aber ob man mit Kunstfasern arbeiten möchte, ist immer Geschmackssache...

LG - Nina