AKW Scale – Guide to itch-free knits & soft yarn

Are you allergic or " just" sensitive.......

What is an AKW scale, and what should I use it for.....?

We have designed an AKW scale to help you if you are allergic or "just" sensitive. Whether you are one or the other, not many people actually know, and in principle it doesn't really matter, because in any case you need to find out exactly what you can tolerate wearing on your body without it bothering you.

Our AKW scale is our personal categorization of our yarns by sensitivity and/or allergy. It could also simply be called a scratchiness scale. All yarns in Category A, we believe, can be tolerated by people who are allergic or sensitive. Here you’ll find e.g. 100% cashmere, cashmere/silk, some yak and camel yarn, etc. Category B also includes very soft yarns, but the reason they end up in B and not A is that they contain Merino wool and therefore lanolin, which many people with allergies cannot tolerate. Alpaca is also in Category B because alpaca can be irritating when you get warm, and it is therefore not recommended for very sensitive people. Most slightly sensitive people will be fine with the yarns in Category B.

The AKW scale is made with care. We spend a long time going through our yarns, making knit swatches, wearing them, assessing their micron, and much more before they get their final place on the scale.

This will guide you to find the yarn that suits you best - whether you have allergies, are sensitive, or simply want something extremely luxuriously soft.

We hope our AKW scale can help you find the right yarn. On all labels and on each product in the online shop, it states where on the scale that specific yarn is placed. It’s also possible in the online shop to filter for yarn that falls within a specific category.

This yarn is good for allergy sufferers or people with sensitive skin and good for summer knits or people who struggle with heat. It's a good idea to use wooden needles because of the smooth fibers, and you'll achieve optimal stitch definition after washing and blocking. It is recommended to hand wash at a maximum of 30 degrees. Knit your project about 3 cm shorter than planned, as it relaxes with washing and use. It's easiest to wind by hand because of the soft and slippery fibers

These are good for people with sensitive skin. If you are allergic or extremely sensitive, a swatch is recommended. They are good for summer knits or for people who struggle with heat. It is a good idea to use wooden needles because of the smooth fibers, and you achieve optimal stitch definition after washing and blocking. Hand wash at a maximum of 30 degrees and knit your project about 3 cm shorter, as it relaxes with washing and use. It's easiest to wind by hand because of the soft and slippery fibers

These are not good for allergy sufferers or extremely sensitive people. If you are sensitive, a knitting sample is recommended and use it as a test patch on your skin. Hand wash at a maximum of 30 degrees. Can be wound with a yarn winder

Allergy sufferers or sensitive - yarn from this group is not recommended. Can generally be wound with a yarn winder without problems. Stitch definition is good even before washing. Both wooden and metal needles can be used without problems. Good for cutting up for e.g. cardigans. We do not carry yarn from this group.