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.

Good morning!

I also like to use merino wool—especially for babies and children.
I also enjoy working with sock yarn—preferably 6- or 8-ply for winter—or with pure new wool. Maksdesign has already described how to make it extra soft, though neither I nor my children nor my husband are particularly sensitive to itchy fabrics...

There are also great synthetic yarns available now that keep you nice and warm, are affordable, easy to care for, and stay beautiful over time—especially “microfiber” yarns, which are also super soft… but whether you want to work with synthetic fibers is always a matter of personal taste…

Best regards, Nina