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Sweater weather no longer means one season or one fiber. Today’s knitwear spans from lightweight summer layers to dense winter outerwear. The difference lies in the material, the weight, and the knitting style. Cotton, Linen, and Year-Round Comfort Cotton remains a foundation for spring and early fall. Medium-weight knits made from compact cotton yarns balance breathability and structure. Thicker cottons, often used in sweatshirts, add insulation without synthetics. Linen dominates warm-weather knitwear because of its ability to release heat and moisture. An open or loose-knit linen sweater performs better in summer than a synthetic tee. Wool, Yak, and Cashmere for...

Bamboo and Sorona® have become key fibers in WvG’s new generation of knits. Sorona®, a partially plant-based PTT developed by Covation Biomaterials, accounts for 37 percent renewable content. Combined with bamboo viscose, the result is a fabric that breathes, stretches, and lasts in ways that traditional polyester blends cannot match. What Is Sorona®? Sorona® is a PTT (polytrimethylene terephthalate) fiber derived partly from industrially fermented plant sugars. Unlike standard polyester (PET), which is entirely petroleum-based, Sorona® incorporates bio-based monomers that improve flexibility and softness. This molecular difference gives Sorona® its natural stretch recovery and smoother hand. In testing, Sorona® shows...

Cashmere and merino dominate the luxury knitwear market, but yak and camel fibers have long been used in high-quality textiles.  Both offer distinct advantages in warmth, durability, and drape, and both are recognized by mills as credible luxury fibers.  For anyone serious about fabrics, it is worth understanding how yak and camel compare to merino and cashmere. Yak Fiber Properties Yak fiber comes primarily from herds in Mongolia, Tibet, and parts of Central Asia.  The undercoat, collected during the spring molt, is what spinners use for fine yarns. According to HD Merino’s analysis, yak down measures between 16 and 20...

Luxury knitwear usually revolves around cashmere, merino, alpaca, or vicuña. Tanuki, also known as Asiatic raccoon or raccoon dog yarn, does not have the same profile but it has been spun by mills like Consinee for decades. It is a real, usable fiber with specific properties and it requires clear explanation for anyone serious about fabrics. Defining the Fiber The Asiatic raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) grows a dense undercoat in cold months. This undercoat can be dehaired, scoured, and spun into yarn. Because staple length is short, it is usually blended with cashmere, wool, or silk for stability.  Consinee, one...