I’m known as a thrifty yarn shopper, always looking for a good deal. When looking for a good price for wool, a yarn snob is something I’m not. But have you ever wondered what is the most expensive wool in the world
The most expensive wool in the world is made from vicuña wool. This wool is rare to find, and it’s very expensive. It’s soft and light, which makes it perfect for clothing. The price of this luxury yarn is $400 to $600 per kilo of unprocessed vicuña fiber. A pair of socks can cost $1000!
You’ll find 5 of the most expensive yarns in the world. Some will be in your price range, but one in particular will be out of the average crochet or knitters price range.
1. Vicuña Wool
Vicuña wool is the most expensive yarn, in the world due to its extreme scarcity and incomparable softness. It is so expensive that it is not accessible to most people.
Vicuña wool is a prized textile material due to its unique qualities, softness and durability. However, harvesting the wool is no easy feat because vicuñas don’t produce it quickly and cannot be domesticated like llamas or alpacas. In addition, their numbers were drastically depleted from 6,000 to near extinction in the 1960s. Fortunately, Peru took conservation efforts to help save their national animal and by 1993 the population was growing enough for restrictions on the export of this rare wool to be lifted.
Vicuña wool is one of the most highly prized materials in the world. It has long been valued by the Incas, referred to as “the cloth of gold,” and today is considered one of the most luxurious fabrics on the planet. This expensive yarn is harvested from vicuñas, a relative of llamas that are found in the highlands of the Andes. High-end garments made from vicuña wool can cost thousands of dollars—a pair of socks alone can cost up to $1,000!
2. Merino Wool
Merino wool comes from the Merino sheep which have adapted their coats to fit climates that range from hot to cold, dry to humid and even wet conditions. This scientific adaptation makes Merino wool both breathable and moisture-wicking, perfect for occasional chilly weather, but also warm enough when temperatures really drop. Its naturally soft texture with many air spaces allows for comfort, versatility, and warmth all at once making it ideal for high-end fashion clothing and accessories.
Merino wool is highly sought after due to its superior quality when compared to other wools. It is obtained from the fleece of the merino sheep, which originated in Spain and are now primarily found in New Zealand Merino sheep were originally from Spain and can now be found in New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and South Africa. Merino wool is distinct for its softness, strength and durability, as well as its moisture-wicking properties.
The extreme weather conditions in New Zealand foster excellent conditions for the animals, ensuring that each product abides by animal welfare standards, resulting in a superior item with higher prices tag – costing up to $10.50 per ounce or even $40 for a single ball of yarn! Merino wool is often used in premium sportswear and activewear due to its ability to keep the body warm even when wet.
3. Qiviut Wool
Qiviut wool – pronounced kiv-ee-ute – is an incredibly rare fiber harvested only once a year by hand off of muskoxen exclusively in Alaska and Canada’s northern latitudes. This is where they roam free in the wild tundra winter snowscapes like they did 10,000 years ago.
Chosen by nature specifically to keep these large animals warm during extreme weather conditions, Qiviut wool is 8 times warmer than sheep’s wool, making it one of the most luxurious fibers on earth. Its unparalleled warmth makes it an excellent choice for wintry climates as well as any other severe condition where extra insulation is needed, like mountain climbing feats. This is why it one of the most expensive yarns.
It’s highly prized not only because of its rarity but also its softness; about one third softer than cashmere yet with greater resilience that doesn’t pill or scratch easily over time, resulting in unparalleled quality sure lasting threads with superior finesse!
4. Super Baby Alpaca Wool (Royal Alpaca)
Baby alpaca wool is sometimes referred to as the finest grade of alpaca wool. Another one of the most expensive wools. With a micron count of between 21 and 22.5, baby alpaca wool is softer than regular varieties, making it a popular choice for clothing and textile products. Baby alpaca wool is primarily taken from the blanket (back area) of an adult alpaca and sourced from animals at any age – its name does not relate to how old the animal is.
Baby alpaca wool is so named because of its category of fiber, and not due to the age of the animal. As alpaca fiber gets coarser with age, it can be deduced that baby alpaca comes from younger alpacas. Usually under the age of 2 yrs.
This delicate fleece has fine fibers twice as thick as human hair. Yet its crimped waved structure grants the fabric optimum thermal resistance. Effectively repelling water while maintaining substantial textile strength.
It’s prized amongst yarn crafters for its remarkable look and feel, improving utterly every garment’s drape quality look & feel! So if you’re looking for uber luxurious ultrafine fabrics then nothing beats alpaca features!
5. Cashmere Wool
Cashmere wool has several qualities that set it apart from other fabrics and make it so desirable. These include its softness, warmth, lightweight feel, and distinctive strength. These attributes contribute to cashmere’s high price point; due to the process of harvesting and creating the fabric, only a small amount can be produced each year compared to other fabrics.
Cashmere wool is made from the fine undercoat and overcoat hairs. It takes 4 to 6 goats an entire to grow enough wool for a sweater!
Originating in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, it is derived from cashmere goats that are found in China, Mongolia, and other regions around the world. Cashmere is renowned for its exceptional softness; with a fineness measured between 11-18 microns it is softer even than extra fine merino wool that measures 15-19 microns. This luxurious fabric can be used to make plush garments such as scarves and shawls, or for adding an element of luxury to everyday items like sweaters and socks.
So next time you’re out shopping, keep an eye out cashmere cardigans sweaters scarves coats premium range dress apparel sure make statement redefined modern elegance.
If you enjoyed this crochet information, why not dive into the history of crochet! Don’t worry, It comes with a video.
Happy Crocheting!
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