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?
You lose some of the beauty of the
nalbinding stitch patterns when using a plied yarn, but there is no technical
reason you cannot use a plied wool yarn.
Below are some yarns that I have tried and
would like to try. My preference is for yarns either made or sold in Canada,
where I am located.
I plan to keep this list updated as I try
new yarns!
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 EcoVerse™
certified, meaning they meet rigorous standards for the use of 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: $$$$$
Canadian Distributors
Found at most yarn stores and online
Estelle Eco Scandinavian Chunky
This is a chunky single-ply yarn that comes in 28 colours. The yarn is GOTS-certified. In case you are not familiar with it, GOTS is the Global Organic Textile Standard. This certification ensures that the product is made with organic fibres and processed under strict environmental and social criteria throughout the entire supply chain.
Pros: Organic,
sustainable fibres; great colours; inexpensive; felts easily
Cons: Not
really, I love it.
- Ball weight: 100 g
- Fibre: 100% organic wool
- Length: 100 m (109 yds)
- Gauge: This chunky weight yarn
(#5)
- Price: $$$$$
Canadian Distributors
London
Yarns (online and store in London, ON)
The
Wool Queen (online and store in Oshawa, ON
Jo's
Yarn Garden (online and store in Stony Plain, AB)
And others - text me if there is one near
you!
Malabrigo Rasta
Malabrigo is a family-owned yarn company located in Uruguay. They are best known for their hand-dyed yarns. The names of most of their yarns, in Spanish, refer to their thickness, e.g., Finito, Mechita, Mecha, and Rasta.
Rasta is a slightly felted single-ply yarn
made of premium Uruguayan merino. It comes in a range of their unique
“watercolour multi” colourways as well as a rainbow of semi-solid basics.
https://malabrigoyarn.com/yarns/rasta
- Skein weight: 150 g
- Fibre: 100% Merino wool
- Length: 82 m (90 yds)
- Gauge: Bulky/Super Bulky
- Price: $$$$$
Cons: Expensive; each batch is unique, which makes colour matching difficult for larger projects
Canadian Distributors
The
Little Red Mitten (online and store in St. Thomas, ON)
Galt
House of Yarn (online and store in Cambridge, ON)
Black
Sheep Yarn (online and store near Vancouver, BC)
And others - text me if there is one near
you!
Loopy Signature Bulky 1 Ply
Loopy Wool specializes in wool for rug hooking, needle felting, punch needle, and other crafts that use wool. They have a fantastic studio/store located in Salisbury, New Brunswick.
You can see my video walkaround of the
store here:
- Skein weight: 100 g
- Fibre: 100% Superwash Merino
wool
- Length: 79 m (87 yds)
- Gauge: Bulky/Super Bulky
- Price: $$$$$
This infinity scarf in Oslo stitch used 1
skein.
Cons: It does not have much twist, which makes it feel like it is going to come apart. It was also difficult to felt when joining ends.
Canadian Distributors
Loopy Wool (Online
and store in New Brunswick)
&Make Super Bulky from the Fibre Co.
About &Make
Yarn for stitchers at every stage of their
crafting journey, made from 100% natural, sustainable fibres from renewable
sources. &Make has a stunning full palette of cheerful brights and nuanced
shades created by overdyeing a range of naturally light and dark-coloured
fibres.
The first set of yarns for the Fibre
Co.'s &Make range includes Fairtrade hard-wearing Peruvian Highland wool in
the blend. This wool was recommended by the partner mill in Peru with whom The
Fibre Co. has worked for nearly 20 years. We are proud to support the fair
trade suppliers of this wool and to include the Peru Fair Trade logo on
&Make labels.
- Ball weight: 100 g
- Fibre: 100% Peruvian Highland
wool
- Length: 80 m (87 yd)
- Price: $$$$$
Cons: Not as soft as some of the others.
Canadian Distributors
Needles in the Hay - Peterborough, Ontario (***being discounted - really cheap get while you can!)
The
Fibre Nook - Edmonton, Alberta
Young & Trendy by Laines du Nord
A 100% mulesing-free wool yarn distinguished by its vibrant colors and its unique slub structure, with subtle thickness variations that create a textured, dynamic effect in the finished piece. The colors of Young and Trendy are not mere shades, but an invitation to good vibes. Each skein reflects the multicolor trend with style, energy, and positivity. Its soft feel and medium-weight roving make it easy to work with large needles. Perfect for oversized sweaters, hats, scarves, bags, vests, and blankets.
- Ball weight: 100 g
- Fibre: 100% Peruvian Highland wool
- Length: 80 m (87 yd)
- Price: $$$$$
Cons: The pricing ranges quite a bit from store to store, so you may want to do some research to find who has the best price.
Drops Snow
DROPS Snow is a soft, super bulky, single-ply yarn spun from 100% pure wool that results in warm and comfortable garments and accessories. It is easy to work with and particularly suitable for felting, while preserving the natural qualities of wool.
The wool fibres in this yarn are untreated, which means that it is only washed and not exposed to any chemical treatment prior to the dyeing. This highlights the fibre’s natural properties, while it also provides a better shape and texture quality.
Product benefits- Unprocessed 100% wool that provides warmth, breathability, and natural elasticity.
- Perfect for felting: Create beautiful felted items like slippers, bags and baskets.
- Untreated and dye-free of chemicals: Enhances the natural properties of the yarn.
- Ball weight: 50 g
- Fibre: 100% wool
- Length: 50 m (55 yd)
- Price: $$$$$
Cons: Very inexpensive; but keep in mind it is only 50g per ball, so you will need more balls compared to the others.
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