Bijou Basin Ranch Yak Yarn
There's a new animal in town! Purl's latest yarn comes from Bijou Basin Ranch's beautiful herd of Rocky Mountain yaks. 
This amazing fiber is spun from the downy undercoat that the animals produce in winter to insulate and warm themselves. As soft and lightweight as cashmere and warmer than wool, yak yarn would be the latest frontier in opulent fiber if the Himalayan people hadn't beaten us to it some 5000 years ago!
Purl is proud to offer several weights and blends of Bijou Basin Ranch's yarns. Above is Bijou Spun Bijou Bliss, a blend of 50% Pure Yak Down and 50% American Cormo Wool. The Cormo is a special breed of Australian sheep whose fiber is known for its elasticity and exceptional softness. Knitting up at about 6 stitches to the inch, this light worsted weight yarn is a luxury for every day. Like all of Bijou Basin's yarns, this one comes in two natural colors, soft charcoal brown and rich cream.
Bijou Spun Lhasa Wilderness is a wonderful combination of 75% Pure Yak Down and 25% Bamboo. That little bit of bamboo adds just the perfect shimmer and drape to the cloudy softness of yak. This is a really unusual blend that is much more than a novelty. A light worsted, Lhasa Wilderness will make any project special, great socks (bamboo is anti-bacterial), a spectacular sweater or next season's hat.
Bijou Basin's Fingering Weight yarn is 100% Pure Yak Down and is soft enough even for a newborn baby. Faye made this beautiful little hat for her new baby, Mila. Designed by Sandi Wineheart, the Vine Lace Baby Hat is a free Interweave pattern that you can find here at their Knitting Daily Site.
Bijou Spun Tibetan Dream Sock Yarn mixes the luxury of yak with the practicality of nylon. This yarn knits up an awesome pair of socks, as soft as any cashmere with the hole-prevention of nylon. Try your hand at designing a simple fair isle pattern for a pair of socks you'll want to hang on the wall!
Bijou Spun Himalayan Trails is 75% Pure Yak Down and 25% Merino Wool. This is a classic yarn without the classic scratchiness. Used here to make the amazing crocheted Belle Felted Wrap, designed by Jill Wright for Bijou Basin, it makes a substantial wrap that maintains an elegant lightness and drape. A light worsted weight yarn that answers so many needs: warmth, durability, softness and beauty.
We love all of these naturally beautiful yarn from Bijou Basin Ranch, and hope you will, too!
July 22, 2010
Reader Comments (3)
Thanks so much for letting us know about the Belle Felted Wrap link. It is correct now.