Pure Wool 'Donegal Tweed+' Luxury Yarn

DONEGAL TWEED+, an Irish tweed yarn with character

DONEGAL TWEED+ by Lang Yarns is made for knitters who appreciate natural fibres, expressive texture and traditional textile craft. Composed of 100% mulesing-free virgin wool, it is spun and dyed in the Donegal region of Ireland using methods rooted in the area’s long history. Its rustic initial handle and distinctive tweed appearance give even uncomplicated knitting a sense of depth. This is a natural choice for timeless autumn and winter pieces, especially when you want the hours spent knitting to result in a garment or accessory that can be enjoyed for years and potentially passed on.

A yarn that blooms after washing

DONEGAL TWEED+ does not reveal its finished personality while it is still in the ball. A small amount of spinning oil remains in the yarn as part of the traditional production process. Once the knitting has been washed, the wool opens up, gains volume and develops a notably softer feel. The resulting fabric becomes fuller while retaining its authentic, enduring tweed character. If you are planning a high neckline, scarf or another item worn close to the neck, knit and wash a swatch first. This lets you assess the finished softness against your skin rather than judging the unwashed yarn alone.

The authentic nature of traditional tweed

This yarn is not intended to have the absolute uniformity of an industrially standardised fibre. Occasional small variations in length and thickness belong to its traditional manufacture. Rather than being faults, they are part of the quality and identity of genuine wool tweed. As the stitches build, these variations create a surface that feels natural, lively and individual. Plain stocking stitch allows the fibre to take centre stage, while ribbing, cables and other textured patterns benefit from the volume that develops after washing. The result is a fabric in which the yarn and the stitch pattern work together.

Projects for the colder seasons

With 105 metres per 50 grams and a recommended needle size of 4.5 to 5 mm, DONEGAL TWEED+ is well suited to autumn and winter sweaters, cardigans, jackets and waistcoats. It can also be used for warm accessories such as hats, cowls, scarves and mitts. A clean, understated pattern will showcase the tweed surface, while a design featuring raised stitches can emphasise the yarn’s fullness and natural character. Whether your chosen pattern is simple or detailed, this wool brings a recognisable Irish tweed quality to the finished piece.

Swatch, wash and then measure

The stated tension is 17 stitches and 25 rows over 10 cm. Because DONEGAL TWEED+ opens and gains volume during washing, measure your tension after the swatch has been washed and dried in accordance with the care guidance. This step allows you to choose the needle size that works with your personal knitting tension and the measurements required by the pattern. It also gives you an accurate preview of the final handle, stitch definition and density before you commit to the complete garment. For clothing in particular, this preparation helps the knitted result correspond more closely to the intended design.

Technical details

• Composition: 100% virgin wool, mulesing free
• Yardage: 105 m per 50 g
• Needles: 4.5 to 5 mm
• Tension: 17 stitches and 25 rows over 10 cm
• Season: autumn and winter
• Production: spun and dyed in the Donegal region of Ireland

Care that respects the wool

Use a detergent formulated for washing wool and do not add fabric softener. For this yarn, washing is more than routine care because it allows the wool to bloom, become fuller and reveal its softer finished handle. Any slight irregularities noticed while knitting should not be mistaken for defects. They reflect the traditional process that gives DONEGAL TWEED+ its distinctive surface and authentic tweed identity. Working a washed swatch will help you understand this transformation before starting the main project.

Bring Irish textile tradition to your needles

A hand-knitted garment represents many hours of careful work, so the quality and personality of the chosen fibre matter. DONEGAL TWEED+ combines the natural warmth of virgin wool with historic Donegal spinning and dyeing traditions. Its full character appears only after knitting and washing, rewarding the preparation invested in the project. Choose your preferred shade, make a washed tension swatch and let this yarn from Lang Yarns shape an autumn or winter piece you will be proud to wear.