Itchy wool & sensitive skin

Wool has many great properties, but if you have sensitive skin like me, wool can sometimes feel unbearably itchy.

For years, I completely avoided wool because I thought that all wool was equally itchy and, unfortunately, I simply couldn't tolerate it.
But luckily, that's not true! Through a lot of research and even more trial and error, I have finally found types of wool that feel soft even on sensitive skin.
Today, I'm sharing my tips with you on how you can learn to love wool even if you have sensitive skin. Because wool is not only breathable, antibacterial, odor-resistant, and wonderfully warm in winter, but it can also be as soft as butter.

First, it is important to realize that "sensitive skin" is not a diagnosis that you either have or don't have. Like so many things, it is a spectrum with many different degrees. The first step is therefore to find out how sensitive your skin really is.

It is also important to realize that the wool used in fast fashion clothing is not of the same quality as hand-knitting yarns. So if you have only tried fast fashion wool sweaters and are therefore convinced that you cannot tolerate wool, there is a good chance that merino wool is the answer for you, as it is softer than normal virgin wool. Such as Double Sunday from Sandnes.

But if you have very sensitive skin, like me, then the solution is extra-fine merino wool. This is even finer than normal merino wool and therefore feels really wonderfully soft against the skin. My tip here is Cool Wool Big by Lana Grossa.

Then there are people who tolerate normal virgin wool very well but have problems with mohair. Mohair is the perfect companion yarn to give your knitting projects that extra bit of fluffiness. But if it feels scratchy on your skin, Setasuri by Lana Grossa is a great mohair alternative for you. The yarn is made of alpaca and silk and is much gentler on the skin.

If you have extremely sensitive skin, cashmere will definitely help you. Brushlight by Cardiff Cashmere is the universal yarn for sensitive skin. (You can see it in the photo.) It's guaranteed to suit everyone!

It is slightly roughened and fluffy, making it a great alternative to mohair. It is made of cashmere with silk and is the softest yarn I have tried so far.

There are, of course, many other great cashmere yarns that are ideal for sensitive skin. For example, Cashmere 16 Fine by Lana Grossa. This is made from a combination of extra-fine merino wool and cashmere.

Another option is, of course, to always use cotton yarns. Unlike wool, these never scratch and are also vegan. A nice option is, for example, Mandarin Petit by Sandes. If you would like to knit with cotton yarn but don't want to forego the fluffy effect of wool, then Per Fortuna by Lana Grossa is just right for you!

I hope that, armed with these tips, you will now be able to find exactly the right yarn for you and your skin.

By the way, if you already own knitwear that feels scratchy against your skin but you still want to wear, ONIQUE's underknitwear is the perfect solution for you. These special shirts can be worn invisibly under any knitwear, so the scratchy wool no longer lies directly against your skin. This means you can continue to wear your beloved knitwear without compromising on comfort.

by Consuelo Verona