02. Natural fibers guide: Discover our ethical yarns for knitting | Wolly Roger

Hello, knitters, and raise the anchor!

At Wolly Roger, every yarn is chosen with care, not just for its quality, but also for its origin, its ecological impact, and its respect for all living beings. Let's discover together the main natural fibers you'll find in our shop, their properties... and a few fun facts!

 

🦙 Alpaca – The Fiber of the Andes, Soft and Breathable

Alpaca is a camelid from South America. Its fleece is renowned for its lightness, warmth, and natural luster. Hypoallergenic, it contains no lanolin, which makes it ideal for sensitive skin.

Why we love it:

- Thermoregulating fiber

- Very soft (12 to 28 microns)

- Unique shine, even after washing 

🎯 At Wolly Roger: Baby Alpaca from BC Garn – a rare gem spun in Peru in a Fair Trade mill.

 

🐑 Bluefaced Leicester – The British Knitter's Darling

BFL is an English sheep breed with a lustrous and silky fleece. Its long, soft fiber is durable and perfect for colorful projects. It’s a local alternative to merino, often more robust.

What we love about it:

- Exceptional luster

- Very good drape and stitch definitionPerfect for blending with silk or mohair

🧶 At Wolly Roger: Wool Local (BFL + Masham) and British Blue (100% BFL) from Erika Knight.

🧵 Virgin Wool – A... Multifaceted Denomination

The term "virgin wool" refers to wool from living, freshly shorn animals. Depending on the brand, it can also mean non-recycled wool or lamb's wool. At Wolly Roger, it includes wools other than merino or BFL, often from small farms.

What you'll find here:

- Ferme Attali: organic and local wool

- Wool Local: BFL + Masham

 

🐏 Merino – Softness, Elasticity, and Performance

Originally from Spain, merino has become a staple thanks to its qualities:

- Very fine fiber (down to 12 microns)

- Thermoregulating and antibacterial

- Durable, soft, and suitable for sensitive skin 

💡 At Wolly Roger: Malabrigo – hand-dyed, mulesing-free, a true pleasure to knit.

 

🐐 Mohair – The Fluffy Wool from the Angora Goat

Do not confuse it with angora from rabbits! Mohair, and its softer version kid mohair, come from the angora goat. This luxurious and airy fiber is often used as a companion yarn or for lace knitting.

Good to know:

- Very luminous (but can be a bit prickly)

- Excellent for creating fuzzy effects and shawls 

🧶 At Wolly Roger: Kidsilk and Fluffy Mohair from Cowgirl Blues – hand-dyed, produced without mulesing.

 

🐛 Silk – Luxury and Lightness... Without Cruelty

An ancient material, silk is thermoregulating, durable, and luminous. It comes in several forms:

- Classic silk (lustrous)

- Bourette silk (matte, raw)

- Eri Silk (peace silk): from cocoons that have opened naturally, without killing the silkworms. 

🌱 At Wolly Roger: Jaipur Peace Silk from BC Garn – cruelty-free silk that respects life.

 

🌿 Plant Fibers – Gentle on the Environment

🧵 Recycled Cotton Perfect for accessories, cotton remains a summer basic. Here, we prioritize eco-responsible versions. 👉 Reborn Denim – Kremke Soul Wool 🌾

Linen French linen is ecological, sturdy, and thermoregulating. 👉 Studio Linen – Erika Knight (85% recycled)

🌳 Lyocell (Tencel™) A man-made fiber based on wood, produced in a closed-loop system. 👉 Morning Salutation – Kremke Soul Wool (Tencel + cotton)

 

Conclusion – Fibers to Love and Knit

At Wolly Roger, every fiber is chosen for its quality and ethics. Whether you knit for pleasure, to create, or to give as a gift… you deserve beautiful materials that respect all living things and our planet.

Hopla, Bis bàll!

Jessica