Far

Far is Woolfolk's worsted-weight yarn in 100% Ovis 21 Ultimate Merino, built as a chainette rather than a conventional plied strand. A chainette is a tiny knitted tube, and that construction traps air inside the yarn. The result is 142 yards (130 meters) per 50-gram hank, more length than most worsteds of the same weight.

In the hand it's squishy and soft, with a matte finish and a smooth, even texture. Knitted up, the fabric is light and springy for its thickness, and the chainette gives each stitch a slightly lofty look. The colors are solid and muted, the kind that read as modern basics.

Far is for knitters who want a warm, wearable sweater or accessory that doesn't feel heavy, and for anyone who likes yarn they can't stop touching.

Best for

• Lightweight worsted sweaters and cardigans
• Hats and cowls worn right against the skin
• Simple textures like garter, seed stitch and ribbing
• Gifts for people who find most wool scratchy

Working with it

The suggested needle is a US 8 for 4.5 stitches per inch. Chainette yarns glide easily but can catch on a very sharp tip, so a slightly rounded point helps. Keep an even tension and let the yarn feed without spinning; if it starts to twist, let the hank dangle and unwind. Swatch and wash before you measure, since fine merino tends to bloom a little. If you're adapting a pattern written for another worsted, our substitution guide explains why Far's high yardage per gram changes the skein count.

Care

The merchant lists Far as hand wash. Use cool water and a wool wash, squeeze rather than wring, then roll in a towel and dry flat. Fine merino can pill where it rubs, so a sweater comb now and then keeps it looking fresh.