Wool is often mistaken for being a single type of yarn, but in fact, there are a lot more types of wool than most people realise. Indeed, some wools are more expensive than others – they may be softer, more luxurious or even rare. Here, we take a look at the most expensive types of wool.
Cashmere
A cashmere sweater makes a perfect Christmas present and with good reason – the expensive cashmere wool used to make it is soft, durable and deliciously cosy even against sensitive skin. The priciest of the range is Grade A cashmere with 13 microns.
Alpaca Wool
Many of us have seen some adorable, furry alpacas at a farm or petting zoo, but did you realise that their wool is really quite valuable? It is hypoallergenic, as well as being durable and beautifully soft.
Merino Wool
DK yarn (also known as ‘double knit’) is a great yarn to use to create cosy, soft items such as baby blankets, winter sweaters and hats. Merino wool, which comes from Merino sheep often found in New Zealand, features heavily in DK yarn ranges such as https://www.woolcouturecompany.com/collections/dk-yarn because of its strong, durable but luxuriously soft nature.
Fortunately, Merino sheep in New Zealand enjoy some of the world’s highest welfare standards, so no animals are harmed in gathering this lovely yarn.
Which is the most expensive?
The world’s most expensive wool is actually Vicuna wool, and it is the softest and finest wool of all. The Vicuna is a small creature, native to South America, who sports an extremely soft, enviable coat! Fortunately, they are carefully protected by welfare laws.
Vicuna Wool is closely followed by Guanaco Wool in terms of cost. This also comes from South American wild animals similar to alpacas.
So, if you have a product in mind for your next knitting project, consider using one of these luxury wools. They may seem very expensive, but if the product stays in good shape for many years, it may just be the perfect investment.