Softness & Prickle Scale – Find Your Perfect Yarn | Ivy Fiber Co
Why create a Softness and Prickle Scale ?
I've been contacted by a lovely French customer called Laura, she mentioned the fact that without the ability to touch the yarn, we can be confused when choosing the right natural wool for our next project. Fibre content, pictures or video can't replace someone's real sensations. She also mentioned the pain scale used in medicine and even if it's far from our small knitting world, it's often based on a norm and we adjust around it to give to someone else an idea of our feelings.
To help you choose the yarn that's right for your project, I've decided to make this scale, ranging from 1 to 5, from Super soft to Rustic feel.
What is the reference for this scale ?
This scale is based entirely on my personal perception. It isn't a scientific measurement, I will describe my own personal yarn sensitivities regarding various yarns and fibres, I'll be your compass and from there you'll be able to position yourself.
Example : I (Natacha) can't stand Lettlopi yarn next to skin, only with long sleeved tee shirts underneath. I therefore rank Lettlopi as 5 on my scale : Rustic feel. Which means that if you are super comfortable with Lettlopi next to skin, it is safe to say you will be comfortable with any other yarn rank as 5 in the shop.
See the logic there ? it's more a "guide" than a science backed actual scale. Consider it a knitting friend's opinion on a yarn you never tried, they would probably say something like it's close to this one other brand and feels like this other one too, etc.
Everyone experiences wool differently. Some knitters have very sensitive skin, while others happily wear even the most rustic breeds next to their skin. I consider myself to have high sensitivity, so I hope this scale provides a useful guideline for most makers.
Let's define a little bit more my yarn preferences and tolerances then, since I'm the "reference" of the scale.
I have a very sensitive skin, let's start with fibres I can bear : I can wear classic merino next to skin, some kinds of mohair blends (others can give me rashes), yak down blends are my absolute favorites,(so warm and perfectly soft) I knit a very simple Eila sweater in Steppe DK colorway Pebble and as soon as I finished it I basically live in this sweater all winter long. I also have a Waves sweater by Melody Hoffmann knit in Bfl Masham DK and well, let's say it tickles me sometimes, I clearly need an extra layer underneath it to keep the wee fibres from poking me. I once knitted a stunning Treysta sweater by Jennifer Steinglass out of equally beautiful Lettlopi, as much as I tried to like this yarn, the feel is too rustic for me, I simply cannot wear it at all, even with a turtle neck underneath it.
The Scale
1 / 5 — Super Soft
Beautifully soft from the first touch.
- Suitable for babies.
- Ideal for sensitive skins (except if you can't stand mohair or alpaca)
- Comfortable worn directly against the skin.
Careful though, this section can include Alpaca blends (Mesa from Ivy Fiber Co., Uma from Amano) and Mohair silk blends (Celestial from Ivy Fibre Co.), highly skin sensitive people may still be unable to wear those yarns next to skin, even if they do feel soft to the touch.
Yarns in this category : Mesa, Celestial, Alpaca yak lace, Prairie fingering, Prairie DK, Sierra fingering, Sierra DK, Uma.
2 / 5 — Regular Soft
Soft and comfortable, with just a hint of natural character.
- Pleasant for everyday wear.
- Suitable for next-to-skin garments for most people.
Yarns in this category : Mountain, Moorland mohair, Steppe DK, Steppe fingering, Waves, Woodland, Valley
3 / 5 — Balanced
A balance between softness and rustic character.
- You can feel more of the fibre's natural texture.
- Comfortable next to the skin for many knitters, depending on personal sensitivity.
Yarns in this category : Meadow lace, Meadow fingering, Meadow DK
4 / 5 — Rustic
A yarn with a noticeable rustic feel.
- The character of the fibre is clearly present.
- Some people will enjoy wearing it next to the skin, while others may prefer layering it over a light garment.
Yarns in this category : Beara, Andes, Bfl Masham DK
5 / 5 — Very Rustic
For those who truly appreciate traditional wool.
- Full of natural character and texture.
- Best suited to knitters who enjoy rustic wools for next-to-skin wear.
Yarns in this category : Pure Tweed
That being said,
I'm perfectly aware that my vision of this is very personal, we are all so unique with our own sensations and likings. And you are free to believe this ranking system makes absolutely no sense, but if you keep an open mind and are genuinely interested in discovering new natural wools but afraid to order something unwearable ... well then it's probably for you :)
My intent is not to convince you to like rustic wools if you don't, it's to find yarns you will like to knit with and adore wearing because this is the whole point after all. This item you will make is meant to be loved and worn a lot and it starts with a yarn crush, and a good one :)
Warmly, Natacha.