Sandnes Garn Børstet Alpakka | Brushed Alpaca Yarn

Soft, fluffy and exceptionally warm without feeling heavy, Borstet Alpakka is a brushed alpaca yarn with a beautiful fuzzy texture and plenty of volume. It's best considered a 12ply yarn in Australia, but its light, airy construction gives Sandnes Garn Børstet Alpakka an unusually flexible gauge and it can successfully be knitted down to an 8ply tension.

• Meterage: 110m per 50g ball
• Ply: 12ply – can also be knitted to an 8ply gauge
• Material: 96% Brushed Alpaca, 4% Nylon
• Machine Washable: Yes – Wool cycle
• Knitting Needles: 4–7mm
• Knitting Tension: 12–18 stitches per 10cm

About Sandnes Garn Børstet Alpakka

Børstet Alpakka is made by twisting alpaca fibres together with a strong nylon thread before brushing the yarn to create its distinctive soft, fluffy surface. The result is a light and lofty yarn that creates plenty of volume without making the finished garment unnecessarily heavy.

Alpaca is naturally warm and insulating while remaining breathable. Combined with Børstet Alpakka's airy construction, this makes it a great choice for cosy sweaters, cardigans, vests, scarves and other garments where you want warmth with a soft halo.

From 12ply to an 8ply Gauge

Børstet Alpakka is unusual in just how much flexibility it gives you with gauge.

In Australia & Australia yarn terms, we'd generally consider it a 12ply yarn. However, unlike a densely spun 12ply wool, its brushed construction allows it to be knitted at a much tighter 8ply/DK-style gauge while still creating a beautiful fabric.

Sandnes Garn recommends a broad tension range of 12–18 stitches per 10cm on 4–7mm needles. At the looser end you'll create a light, open fabric that really shows off the yarn's fluffy halo. Knit it more tightly and you'll get a denser, more substantial fabric while retaining the softness and character of the brushed alpaca.

This flexibility can make Børstet Alpakka an interesting yarn substitution for both 12ply and some 8ply patterns, but always knit a tension swatch first. Matching the pattern gauge is only part of a successful substitution – make sure you also like the density, drape and feel of the resulting fabric.

Care

Børstet Alpakka can be machine washed using a gentle wool programme. Wash knitted garments separately and use a suitable wool detergent.

Spin well after washing, reshape and dry flat. Always follow the care instructions on the yarn label.