Name: Yak in the Buff
Brand: tribeyarns
SKU: TRIBE-YakBuff-Cacao-A029-Small
Price: 34.5 GBP
Availability: InStock

Yarn Notes
Yarn Specs
About Yak Wool

Here it is - after YEARS of searching for the perfect first Tribe Yarn, we are so thrilled to introduce to you "Yak in the Buff".

This stunning UNSPUN yarn is made of the very highest quality 100% yak wool.

Unbelievably soft, lofty, and utterly luxurious - there's nothing else like it out there.

The fabric that this yarn produces is airy, soft and remarkably strong given how delicate the unspun yarn is before knitting.

Sourced from the undercoat of the yak, this buttery soft yarn is incredibly warm whilst staying magically lightweight.

We think it's PERFECT for heirloom-quality garments, cozy accessories, and projects that require warmth and luxury but no bulk.

With its delicate, unspun structure, this wool requires gentle handling—ideal for mindful knitting and exploring new techniques like holding multiple strands together or combining with other fibres for added strength.

It's amazing for ethereal knits or sumptuously thick sweaters - this is yak wool at its most authentic.
Each cake holds approx 400-500m of yarn, spun in twin strands, which you should knit together. See "Yarn Specs" for the weight details of each yarn colour. BUT, this yarn stretches when you knit it, so you may only need 1-2 cakes per garment!

We recommend knitting on 4.5mm - 6mm needles, but it will happily squish down to 3mm.

That means that 2-3 cakes might be all it takes to knit a garment!

Hold multiple threads together for a thicker knit. And it's AMAZING held with a thread of lace weight cashmere or silk mohair.

Here's a Ravelry folder of patterns which I have book-marked for this yarn.
Check out these two which are knit from YITB:
Dazzler
Erin

Please note that there are no labels supplied with this yarn (because we can't figure out how to attach them!). And also, the yarn is not returnable due to it's delicate nature when unknit.

Tips:
• Cacao is by far the softest and most delicate to knit with.
• You may experience more breakage in the outer layers of the cake, so you might want to wind that on to use later when you're more used to it.
• This yarn isn't for everyone. It is very very special and needs handling lightly, so cannot be knit Portuguese style. Also, we don't recommend it for beginner knitters.

Read more about amazing Yak Wool in the "About Yak Wool" tab.

*"Donations/contributions" via justonemorerow.org website, or tribeyarns.com checkout options. Cumulative contributions are added together. Minimums apply.

Ingredients:
100% Yak

Length:
Approx 400-500m per cake

Given Weights are approximate

Gauge:
Worsted-ish

Care:

We recommend hand-washing your garment in luke warm water with a gentle wool-wash to remove spinning oils. When blocking, the yarn will soak up water like a sponge, so be careful with it while it's wet. It will release the water easily too, but pressing gently against the side of the sink.

Fabric will grow, soften and drape better after blocking. But don't worry - it doesn't keep growing like Alpaca.

100% Unspun Yak Wool – Rare, Sustainable, and Luxuriously Soft

For thousands of years, nomadic herders across the Tibetan Plateau, Mongolia, and the Himalayas have carefully gathered yak fibre, known as khullu, from these remarkable animals. Unlike other fibre-producing livestock, yaks live freely in the high-altitude wilderness, grazing gently without damaging the land. Their soft-footed steps and light grazing habits help preserve delicate ecosystems, making yak fiber one of the most sustainable wools in the world.

Each spring, as temperatures rise, yaks naturally shed their fine undercoat, which is then hand-combed by herders—a process that not only protects the animals’ well-being but also ensures a truly ethical and sustainable fibre. Unlike cashmere goats, which can contribute to land degradation due to overgrazing, and pulling up plants by the roots, yaks, with their short tongues, only graze the tops of plants. And they do it nomadically.

So far no one's found a way to pen these gorgeous animals (thank goodness), but this does mean that large quantities cannot be produced. For us this makes this yarn even more special and sustainable.

Why Choose Yak Wool?

Our 100% unspun yak wool is sourced from the finest, longest fibers—typically 15-19 microns in diameter, making it as soft as the highest-grade cashmere but with superior strength and durability. With it's naturally short staple, the finest and longest fibres are usually reserved for international luxury fashion brands. And us.

It’s naturally hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and incredibly warm—30% warmer than sheep’s wool while remaining lightweight and breathable. It absorbs moisture quickly while keeping you dry and comfortable.

The natural colour palette of yak fibre ranges from deep chocolate brown to warm reddish hues, with rare shades of grey and white. This unspun fibre is perfect for slow, mindful knitting and felting, creating garments with a stunning drape and long-lasting resilience. Unlike many luxury fibres prone to pilling, yak wool retains its beauty and softness over time.

Yak wool is more than just a fibre—it’s a connection to ancient traditions, sustainable practices, and the untouched beauty of the mountains. We want you to experience the pure, raw luxury of yak wool.

Currency

Yak in the Buff

Pickup available at Comielaw Farm

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Currency

Yak in the Buff

Pickup available at Comielaw Farm

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