For my nalbinding, I have discovered that my favourite yarn to work with is a single-ply chunky wool. For one, it is easy to use as a beginning, and it looks great for simple nalbinding stitches.
Why not use a two or three-ply yarn?
Yarns I have tried
Patons Classic Wool Roving
This is a bulky single-ply yarn that comes in 12 classic colours. For over 100 years, Patons® Yarn has been bringing crafters and knitters high-quality yarns. The company was founded in 1917 by James Paton in Ontario, Canada, with a vision to provide affordable and accessible yarns to crafters across North America. They partner with organizations like the Responsible Wool Standard to ensure the welfare of the sheep and land is always respected. Many of their yarns are also EcoVerseTM certified, meaning they meet rigorous standards for using organically grown fibres and eco-friendly dyes.
Pros: Canadian-made, sustainable fibres, readily available, inexpensive
Cons: The twist is very loose, making the fibres pull apart easily. I also found it challenging felting the ends to join pieces.
- Ball weight: 100 g
- Fibre: 100 new wool
- Length: 109 m (120 yds)
- Gauge: Bulky/Chunky
- Price: $$$$$
Estelle Eco Scandinavian Chunky
This is a chunky single-ply yarn that comes in 28 colours. The yarn is GOTS-certified. In case you are not familiar with it, GOTS is the Global Organic Textile Standard. This certification ensures that the product is made with organic fibres and processed under strict environmental and social criteria throughout the entire supply chain.
Pros: Organic, sustainable fibres; great colours; inexpensive; felts easily
Cons: Not really, I love it.
- Ball weight: 100 g
- Fibre: 100% organic wool
- Length: 100 m (109 yds)
- Gauge: This chunky weight yarn (#5)
- Price: $$$$$
Malabrigo Rasta
Malabrigo is a family-owned yarn company located in Uruguay. They are best known for their hand-dyed yarns. The names of most of their yarns, in Spanish, refer to their thickness, e.g., Finito, Mechita, Mecha, and Rasta.
Rasta is a slightly felted single-ply yarn made of premium Uruguayan merino. It comes in a range of their unique “watercolour multi” colourways as well as a rainbow of semi-solid basics.
- Skein weight: 150 g
- Fibre: 100% Merino wool
- Length: 82 m (90 yds)
- Gauge: Bulky/Ch
- Price: $$$$$
Pros: Slight felting makes it amazing for nalbinding; the colourways are unique and beautiful
Cons: Expensive; each batch is unique, which makes colour matching difficult for larger projects
Canadian Distributors
The Little Red Mitten (online and store in St. Thomas, ON)Galt House of Yarn (online and store in Cambridge, ON)Black Sheep Yarn (online and store near Vancouver, ON)And others - text me if there is one near you!
Yarns I would like to try
&Make Super Bulky from the Fibre Co.
About &MakeYarn for stitchers at every stage of their crafting journey, made from 100% natural, sustainable fibres from renewable sources. &Make has a stunning full palette of cheerful brights and nuanced shades created by overdyeing a range of naturally light and dark-coloured fibres.
The first set of yarns for the Fibre Co.'s &Make range includes Fairtrade hard-wearing Peruvian Highland wool in the blend. This wool was recommended by the partner mill in Peru with whom The Fibre Co. have worked for nearly 20 years. We are proud to support the work of the fair trade suppliers of this wool and the inclusion of the Peru Fair Trade logo on &Make labels.
- Ball weight: 100 g
- Fibre: 100% Peruvian Highland wool
- Length: 80 m (87 yd)
- Price: $$$$$
Canadian Distributors
- Ball weight: 100 g
- Fibre: 100% Peruvian Highland wool
- Length: 80 m (87 yd)
- Price: $$$$$
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