Luft

Luft is one of Woolfolk's more unusual yarns: a soft chainette tube of organic Pima cotton filled with Ovis 21 Ultimate Merino fleece, blended 55% merino to 45% cotton. It's a bulky weight that weighs very little, with 109 yards (100 meters) in each 50-gram hank.

The cotton outside gives a cool, smooth feel and a matte look, while the merino inside adds loft, warmth and bounce. The fabric breathes like cotton but keeps its shape better than pure cotton, and it knits up fast without the heaviness that usually comes with bulky yarn. The colors lean muted and cool.

It's for knitters who love the speed of bulky yarn but want something wearable across more of the year, and for anyone who finds pure wool too warm.

Best for

• Oversized, airy pullovers for spring and fall
• Quick cowls and wraps
• Relaxed cardigans layered over a T-shirt
• Lightweight hats you can wear in milder weather

Working with it

The suggested needle is a US 9 for 2.75–3.5 stitches per inch. Because the yarn is so light, that range gives a fabric that's airy but still holds together. The chainette can catch on sharp tips, so a rounded needle point helps, and if the yarn twists as you work, let it hang and unwind now and then. Swatch generously and wash the swatch, since a cotton-wool blend can change a little once wet. For more on cotton in yarn, see our cotton and linen guide.

Care

The merchant lists Luft as hand wash. Use cool water and a gentle wool wash, press out the water in a towel without wringing, and dry flat. Avoid machine agitation and heat, which can felt the merino core.