What is yak wool?

Catnip

Does anyone have any experience with yak wool? Eileen Fisher has some sweaters made of yak wool or a yak wool/regular wool blend. I'm wondering whether it's scratchy, wears well, etc.

11 years ago

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7 replies

Latest reply was from Catnip

ironkurtin

Veteran

Well, it's wool from a yak, obviously. : )

I like yak as part of a blend. Typically EF does not make itchy blends so I'd say it's worth a shot.

11 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I think Jenava has a sweater made of yak wool. If I remember correctly she said it was very warm.

11 years ago

Kat

Active Member

I've tried an EF yak wool sweater -- I'd say very soft and warm. The one I tried was medium weight and was a little chunky but not too much so -- it may have been a blend, but it didn't seem prone to pilling. Didn't seem scratchy in the least, but I'm not sensitive to wool and I know others are.

11 years ago

Joyce B

Veteran

Yak yarn is made from the undercoat of the yak. It is very warm and soft. If it is made properly, it should not have any guard hairs which are the ones that can make it scratchy. If the garment is made of pure yak yarn it will be very warm, soft and drapey. If it is mixed with merino yarn, the knitted fabric will have more spring to it.
Those cardigans that you are mentioning should be very nice and warm. It's good that they are cardigans so that you can un-button them if they get too warm.

11 years ago

jabeen100

Active Member

Yak wool is a largely unknown but very special fibre. Nature has equipped yaks to survive at altitudes sometimes exceeding 5000 metres.

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Qiviut, or musk ox wool, is used here - it is incredibly soft and lovely (and EXPENSIVE). I am not sure if yak wool is similar but I'd imagine so.

http://www.qiviut.com/

11 years ago

Catnip

Veteran

I have a crocheted qiviut hood given to me by a friend who used to live in Alaska. She gave it to me when she moved from Alaska to Florida. Being crocheted, it has lots of holes, but it is INCREDIBLY WARM. I love it but have little use for it in our recently milder winters. It is also incredibly soft, even softer than cashmere. If yak wool is that warm, I may pass on the Eileen Fisher sweaters.

11 years ago

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