Lace Yarn

Lace weight yarn is the finest yarn weight available — lightweight, airy and beautifully suited to shawls, wraps, lace stoles and delicate accessories. Our lace yarn collection spans merino, silk, mohair and kid mohair blends from leading brands, chosen for their exceptional drape and stitch definition.

What needles should I use for lace weight yarn?

Most lace weight yarns are designed to be knitted on 2mm–3.5mm needles. However, many lace shawl patterns call for a needle size that feels loose compared to the yarn's recommended tension — typically one or two sizes larger — to produce the open, airy fabric that defines lace knitting. If you are working from a pattern, always use the needle size the designer specifies and knit a tension swatch, as lace gauge can vary significantly between knitters.

Is lace weight yarn suitable for beginners?

Lace weight can be challenging for beginners because the fine yarn and small needles make it harder to see mistakes, and lace patterns typically require the ability to read your knitting rather than relying solely on a pattern repeat. That said, many knitters in Scotland and the UK successfully start lace knitting with a simple, well-written shawl pattern — particularly those designed specifically for newcomers to the technique, such as easy top-down triangular shawls. The key is choosing a straightforward pattern rather than a fine-gauge or intricate traditional lace.

What is the difference between lace weight and 2-ply yarn?

Lace weight is a gauge category defined by knitting tension and needle size, while 2-ply refers to the yarn's construction — specifically that two individual strands have been twisted together. Many lace weight yarns are 2-ply, but not all 2-ply yarns are lace weight — a 2-ply yarn can be spun thickly enough to knit as a 4-ply or even DK. In UK yarn terminology, "2-ply" is sometimes used loosely as a synonym for lace weight, but it is more accurate to check the recommended needle size and tension on the ball band.

Can lace weight yarn be used for knitting shawls in Scotland's climate?

Yes — and it is particularly well suited to it. Scotland's climate calls for layering, and a lace weight shawl or wrap in a natural fibre such as merino or a merino-silk blend offers genuine warmth without bulk. Many Scottish knitters favour lace weight for shawls that work across seasons — light enough for indoors or mild days, but warm enough to wrap against the cold. Kid mohair blends are a popular choice for this reason, producing a cloud-like warmth that belies their fine weight.

How do I care for lace weight yarn garments and shawls?

Most lace weight yarns in natural fibres — merino, silk, kid mohair — require gentle hand washing in cool water with a wool-safe detergent, or a delicate machine wash if the ball band permits. After washing, lace projects should be blocked wet: pin or wire the piece to shape on a blocking mat and allow it to dry fully before unpinning. This step is not optional for lace knitting — it is what opens the stitch pattern and gives the finished piece its drape and dimensions. Avoid wringing or tumble drying, as this can cause irreversible felting or distortion.