The production of Italian yarn is a centuries-old tradition of the textile industry. Spinning threads for hand and machine knitting are distinguished by high quality, color fastness, variety of textures, and a wide range of colors.
What is good about Italian yarn and its disadvantages
Yarn from Italian manufacturers meets high EU standards. Its main advantage is a smooth thread without felt inclusions., which is important for the proper operation of the equipment and the convenience of the hand knitting master.
The density of the fabric is easily adjusted, there are no discrepancies with the specified values, the desired goal and the actual result. Smooth, pliable spinning threads are suitable for both hand knitting masters and knitwear specialists.
Italian yarn for hand knitting does not cause discomfort to consumers in work, since it is produced using high technologies, has excellent wear resistance, although the thickness of its fibers is no more than 20 microns.
The yarn is produced in a variety of styles, when natural fibers, ribbons, and synthetics are woven into wool. Merino wool yarn offered to consumers is soft, does not irritate the skin, is unpretentious and easy to work with.
The advantage of Italian spinning thread is also that its production largely preserves and continues centuries-old traditions, which are harmoniously combined with innovations. High-quality dyes are used to give the desired color.
Collections of yarns of famous Italian brands are a rich palette, original colors and textures. In the production process, optimal ratios of natural fibers of different types and synthetics are observed.
The main disadvantage is the cost and requirements for water hardness and the properties of detergents.
The profitability of its use in the production of clothing for everyday wear, decorative items for interior design, accessories and souvenirs is determined only by how important the experiment is, how high the requirements for quality are.
If when buying a ready-made product you can immediately get detailed information about the washing rules, then in the case of hand-made products you have to rely on the information indicated on the label attached to the bobbin, which indicates the composition, general care rules for cotton, wool, acrylic.
Review of Italian manufacturers and types of yarn for hand knitting
Italian yarn for hand knitting has a natural, animal base, sometimes with added plant-based threads.
A brief overview of the most popular types of yarn:
| Natural yarn | ||
| Warp | Name | What is it made of? |
| Animal origin | Merino | Fleece |
| Mohair, cashmere | Goat wool | |
| Vicuna, alpaca | Alpaca and vicuña wool | |
| Angora | Rabbit wool | |
| Silk | Silkworm | |
| Plant origin | Cotton | Fruits, seeds of a plant |
| Flax, hemp, jute, ramie | Plant stem | |
| Sisal, raffia | Leaves of a plant | |
| Coconut | Palm fruits | |
Italy also produces yarns made from synthetic fibers. Thanks to high technology, spinning threads of artificial origin look almost like natural fibers.
A common positive feature of acrylic, polyamide and polyester is that products made from them can be washed without losing color. They are very durable, since both color and shape usually remain unchanged regardless of the number of washes.
One of the biggest advantages of synthetic fibers is that they have anti-allergic properties. Acrylic threads can be combined with other types of yarn, such as cotton. In addition, synthetic yarn is relatively cheap, convenient and easy to work with.
In Italy there are many manufacturers of classic and fashionable yarn for hand knitting. Spinning threads are made in many cities of the country using different technologies. Every year factories offer new fancy types of yarn of various shades and textures.
Loro Piana
The office of the company Loro Piana, part of the holding LVMH, is located in the commune of Cuarona, near the city of Piedmont. The company specializes in the production of both yarn and luxury fabric. The production of spinning threads is a family business founded in the 17th century.
To meet the needs of textile industry enterprises and representatives of arts and crafts, supporters of handmade products, Loro Piana yarn is produced in bobbins.
The thread is thin, from 1 thousand 400 m per 100 g, and due to its high quality it is successfully used for knitting and after rewinding into several threads. Produced 100% cashmere can be used alone or combined with other noble fibres such as silk, which gives wool a new property.
By combining cashmere with other yarn, you can independently make a mixed composition fabric with the effect of geelong, melange, lurex. The range of yarn for knitting Loro Piana is also represented by high-density threads, 330 m per 100 g, this is a yarn consisting of 100% cotton.
Italian blended yarn for hand knitting is produced with a favorable ratio of additives containing polyamide, silk. The added threads make the yarn stronger, preventing its compression or stretching during wear and after washing.
Cariaggi
Cariaggi brand yarn is made from natural raw materials and treated with durable natural dyes. The manufacturing company has centuries-old weaving traditions and is a participant and organizer of exhibitions dedicated to the weaving craft. The central office is located in Florence.
The Cariaggi range includes the following collections:
- silk threads;
- woolen;
- cashmere;
- cotton spinning threads.
The yarn is produced in bobbins, convenient for both machine and hand knitting. The thickness and density of the thread varies, from 500 m per 100 g to 6 thousand m per 100 g. The length of the thread in the bobbin is from 1 thousand 300 m.
We use Belize cotton, goat cashmere, mulberry silk, vicuña and New Zealand merino wool, Western European linen and Masters of Linen certified flax-cashmere yarns.
Zegna Baruffa
Popular in Italy, Zegna Baruffa yarn is known throughout the world. The company has been around since 1850. Its success was brought about by a special technology for producing threads, the Cashwool method, which was patented over time.
Testing and checking of the product are carried out throughout the entire production cycle in the manufacturer's laboratories. The company produces wool, blended yarn, cashmere. The basis of blended threads is merino wool. Flax, floral melange, cotton, alpaca wool are added to it. Yarn is produced in bobbins.
Knitted elegant belt, original cardigan, pullover will look great thanks to high-quality thread, durable color with muted shimmer, delicate velvet texture. The density of Zegna Baruffa yarn is 700 m per 100 g of yarn, 900 m per 100 g, 1400 m per 100 g. The length of the thread in the bobbin 2/30 from 1 thousand 500 m.
Lana Gatto
The Italian yarn brand Lana Gatto belongs to the Tollegno company, founded in 1900. The office is located in the city of Biella, north of Piedmont.
The yarn is produced in skeins with different thread densities:
- 125 m per 50 g;
- 212 m for 25 g;
- 300 m per 100 g;
- the length of the thread in the bobbin is 2 thousand 600 m.
The manufacturer uses merino wool, alpaca, and rabbit down as the main raw materials. Italian yarn for hand knitting of the LanaGatto brand is also produced in a more complex composition. Mixed yarn additionally contains silk, cashmere, cotton, viscose.
The brand's range includes several collections, including yarn with synthetics, which is more resistant to washing and ironing than yarn made from natural materials, and is less demanding in terms of water temperature and other features of caring for knitted items.
You can buy LanaGatto yarn with polyamide, nylon, polyester, original colors, high quality. Working with LanaGatto wool will bring pleasure to lovers of hand knitting. With its help, the most complex pattern is easily reproduced, and a perfectly smooth canvas is obtained for stylish appliques or embroidery.
Lane Cardate
Lanecardate SPA was founded in 1977 as a family business in the commune of Cossato, in the province of Piedmont. Lane Cardate wool yarn is made from 100% merino or camel wool. The Lanecardate SPA product range also includes high-quality blended yarns.
By adding elastane, a thread with a unique texture is created, ideal for knitting machines and handwork. Mixed yarn is a combination of angora wool, cotton, merino, cashmere with polyamide. Their ratio and proportions are harmoniously and strictly observed.
Thanks to this, any knitted item will be comfortable and practical. The spinning thread of the yarn produced in bobbins has different thicknesses - from 1 thousand 500 m per 100 g to 770 m per 100 g, the length of the thread in the bobbin is 600 m per 100 g.
LaneCardate also makes lightly felted Donegal wool for hand knitting. Donegal, like all LaneCardate craft yarns, is unique in that it is carded rather than combed.
This explains the greater lightness and softness of the yarn compared to its closest competitors. Despite felting, the wool retains a remarkable fluffiness, which is especially evident after washing.
Biagioli Modesto
Filati Biagioli Modesto has been specialising in the production of carded yarn for many years. The factories carry out the entire process of converting raw fiber into yarn, which guarantees customers superior quality products.
Italian yarn for hand knitting of the brand Biagioli Modesto is produced in the form of mixed threads. Flax and cotton are the elements that give the noblest fibers, cashmere and sheep wool, additional softness, a unique image in the finished product.
Silk gives a natural shine, and viscose increases the elasticity of the blended thread. Merino yarn with the addition of cotton is soft, with a pleasant texture to the touch. Designers of Filati Biagioli choose the best mulberry silk.
The products are manufactured in spools. You can buy either 1 kg of yarn for winding into 5-6 threads to make a voluminous, warm item, or a small skein of 50 g to make an elegant decorative applique.
The manufacturer produces 100% cashmere with a thread density of:
- 350 m per 100 g;
- 550 m per 100 g;
- 500 m per 100 g in a reel.
The yarn color can be strict classic, spectacular or exclusive.
Titan Wool
Titan Wool offers classic high quality cotton. Mercerized Egyptian cotton is used to make summer items for crochet lovers. The yarn has a pleasant silky shine, is available in a variety of bright colors, and does not require special washing and drying. The knitted fabric does not fade or stretch.
Cotton Italian yarn does not have a strong twist, consists of 9 threads, which creates the effect of a perfectly smooth fabric. Titan Wool is sold in the form of skeins.
The thickness of the thread can be:
- 240 m for 25 g;
- 127 m per 50 g;
- 340 m per 100 g;
- 50 g per 127 m.
Comparison of the cost of Italian yarn, selection criteria
When choosing yarn, it is necessary to consider the ratio of wool, cotton, linen and synthetic fibers. This determines how difficult it will be to provide proper care for the item, how long it will retain its original appearance.
Over time, products made from low-quality wool become compacted and deformed, while those made from mohair or angora wool lose their original softness. Products made from high-quality Italian yarn retain their shape for a long time and do not lose their color.
In the Loro Piana catalogues you can choose the best, 100% cashmere or cotton, buy yarn at a price of 3 rubles per 1 g. Camel wool yarn is in the Lane Cardate collections, which is a rarity in the range of other manufacturers. The minimum cost of materials of this brand is from 2 rubles per 1 g.
Companies under the Titan Wool brand produce high-quality mercerized cotton threads for knitting at a price of 160 rubles per 50 g. A spool of branded Biadioli Modesto yarn costs from 4 rubles per 1 g.
Cost of Italian yarn from other companies:
- Zegna Baruffa – 5 rub. for 1 g;
- Cariaggi – 10 rubles per 1 g;
- Lana Gatto – 3 rub. for 100 g.
Synthetic spinning threads produced in Italian factories have their own valuable parameters. This is, first of all, durability. It is important to find the best option in the assortment of any brand, with the optimal ratio of synthetics and natural components.
Italy is rightly called the capital of world fashion. New trends in knitwear appear in the country every year, and high-tech options for the production of textile threads for hand knitting are used. Italian yarn is highly valued by needlewomen from many countries.
Video about yarn
Italian yarn for hand knitting: