ITO Karei (Cashmere Yarn)

Yarn Notes Yarn Specs The Brand ITO Karei is an exceptional 100% Grade A Mongolian cashmere yarn with a deliciously subtle twist: tiny coloured neps are spun into the cashmere, giving it a beautiful tweedy character without losing any of that luxurious softness. Karei isn't just any cashmere. It is a carded, woollen-spun yarn made on a traditional mule (carriage) spinning machine. This method traps tiny pockets of air within the yarn, creating a fabric that is remarkably warm, soft and light. It also means Karei is surprisingly productive for such a fine luxury yarn. At 175m from just 25g, it goes a very long way. The resulting fabric is light and airy rather than dense, making Karei particularly gorgeous for shawls, scarves, lightweight garments and luxurious accessories. The little coloured neps make Karei special. They're subtle enough to give a sophisticated, almost understated tweed effect, but add just enough texture and colour to stop a simple fabric from looking flat. We love it for letting the yarn itself do the talking. Karei is lovely knitted on its own, but it is also a brilliant companion yarn. ITO specifically recommends pairing it with Sensai, Kinu and Shimo, with different combinations producing fabrics ranging from airy and delicate to considerably more substantial. We especially love holding Karei with Sensai. The cashmere brings warmth, softness and those gorgeous little neps, while Sensai adds its characteristic halo. Check the table under "Yarn Specs" to see specific gauge recommendations for several Karei + Sensai combinations. Lots of scope for experimenting! Karei is already washed after spinning and blooms beautifully with further washing. It's not just us who are smitten either. Karei currently has a 4.8/5 rating on Ravelry from 73 votes, with more than 270 recorded projects. That's a pretty convincing endorsement from fellow knitters/crocheters. Check out some of the gorgeous projects people have made with Karei here on Ravelry. Ingredients: 100% Grade A Mongolian Cashmere Length: 175m (191yd) Weight: 25g Yarn Weight: Light Fingering Construction: Carded / woollen spun, 3-ply Needles: 3 - 4.5mm (US 2½ - 7) Gauge: ITO's standard gauge is 28 sts = 10cm on 3.25mm (US 3) needles. But you'll get approx 18 - 26 sts per 10cm on 3 - 4.5mm needles. Yarn 1 Yarn 2 Needle Stitches per 10cm Karei Karei JP4 | 3.25mm | US 3 28 Sensai Karei JP5 | 3.50mm | US 4 26 Sensai Karei JP5-6 | 3.75mm | US 5 25 Kinu Karei JP6 | 4.00mm | US 6 22 Shimo Karei JP10 | 5.00mm | US 8 20 Kinu Karei JP7 | 4.50mm | US 7 19 ITO Yarns brings together fine, distinctive yarns from small, high-end mills in Japan, blending a rich textile heritage with a beautifully modern, design-led aesthetic. Known for their refined textures, elegant colour palettes and unusual fibre combinations, ITO yarns are perfect for knitters and makers who love creating fabric with depth, drape and character. One of our favourite aspects of ITO Yarns is how beautifully the different bases work together. Hold one yarn double or combine it with another ITO yarn to create unique texture, softness and visual interest with the best of all worlds. Super exciting for adventurous knitters and anyone who loves to experiment. From the softest silk mohair ever (Sensai) and crisp plant-based blends to softly structured wool and silk yarns, ITO Yarns offer a whole world of inspiring possibilities. At Tribe Yarns, we love ITO for its high-end, thoughtful construction, fresh contemporary feel and uncompromising luxurious finish. The best of Japanese yarns for knitting, crochet and weaving. ITO translates simply as "yarn" in Japanese. The brand combines traditional Japanese sensibility with innovation, resulting in yarns that feel both timeless and strikingly modern. We love the fact that the colour palette is subtle, sophisticated and beautifully nuanced, with shades that sit effortlessly together. But with mandatory pops for some edginess that never goes out of fashion, ITO don't change up their colours every single season like some brands - their colours are designed to keep your creations stylish forever. Our curated ITO Yarns collection at Tribe includes some of the most exciting yarns for contemporary garment knitting, textured accessories and artistic weaving. If you're looking for yarns with a refined hand-feel, a unique fabric outcome and a distinctly modern edge, ITO is your man. Explore the collection and find your perfect ITO pairing!