Yak and Camel: Specialty Fibres
Yak down and camel down are two of the warmest, softest, and most expensive specialty fibres in hand-knitting. Both come from the down undercoat of their respective animals and share many properties with cashmere.
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Yak down
Soft (typically 18–20 microns), warm, and naturally a rich brown colour. Often blended with merino for a slight colour and warmth boost. 100% yak yarn is rare and expensive.
Camel down
Similar in fineness to yak (18–20 microns) and naturally a sandy beige colour. Used in luxury blends, especially with silk or merino. The natural colour is so distinctive that camel-blend yarns are often left undyed.
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Best uses
Luxury accessories: scarves, neck warmers, fingerless mitts. The high cost makes large garments impractical for most knitters.
Care
Treat like cashmere: hand-wash with extreme care, dry flat, store with moth deterrents.
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CYC | Craft Yarn Council |
Tips
- Use yak and camel for small luxury accessories where the cost is manageable.
- Yak and camel yarns are typically left undyed to showcase the natural colour.
- Hand-wash with extreme care — both fibres felt easily.
In depth
Yak and camel are two of the rarest specialty fibres in hand-knitting. Their natural colours and luxurious hand make them appealing for small projects, though the cost and limited availability put them out of reach for most large garments.