Peruvian Highland Wool Yarn — 100% Wool from the Andes
Short answer: Peruvian Highland wool is the wool of Corriedale × Merino crossbreed sheep that graze in the Peruvian Andes. It is tougher than pure merino and softer than ordinary wool: warm, breathable, with crisp stitch definition and little pilling. All our wool yarns are spun and dyed in Peru.
- FACES: 100% Peruvian Highland wool, super bulky (6), 7 oz / 109 yd, US 15–50 (10–25 mm) needles. For beanies, cowls, chunky sweaters and blankets.
- BeMe and BeMe Melange: 100% Peruvian Highland wool, bulky (5), 3.5 oz / 131 yd, US 10½–11 (6.5–8 mm) needles. For sweaters, cardigans and scarves.
- NOVA: 86% Peruvian Highland wool and 14% polyamide, light and airy, 1.76 oz / 164 yd, US 8–11 (5–8 mm) needles. For lightweight sweaters and cardigans.
The extreme Andean climate, with hot days and freezing nights, grows a dense, resilient fleece. Corriedale brings strength and a long staple; Merino brings softness. The result is wool that keeps its shape and color for years and is soft enough to wear against the skin.
What Makes Peruvian Highland Wool Different?
Not all wool is the same. Here's what sets this one apart.
Born above 13,000 feet (4,000 meters)
These sheep live high in the Peruvian Andes, where days are hot and nights freeze. That extreme environment grows fleece that's dense and resilient — wool literally shaped by the mountains.
A deliberate crossbreed
Corriedale gives strength and long staple. Merino gives softness. The result is wool you don't have to baby: tough enough for daily wear, gentle enough against skin.
Stitches stay where you put them
This wool has a natural grip — a slight toothiness that holds every loop in place. Fair Isle, cables, textured patterns: they all keep their crisp definition after blocking.
Matte, not glossy
The finish is muted and earthy. It dyes beautifully but never looks factory-made. Even machine-knit fabric feels like something handmade.
It handles real life
The fiber structure sits in a sweet spot — fine enough to feel good, sturdy enough to resist pilling. Wash it with care and it outlasts seasons, trends, and probably your next project queue.
Peruvian Highland Wool doesn't try to impress. It just works — warmer, longer, and more honestly than most yarns you'll cast on.
Our Peruvian Wool Collections
BEME — Soft Bulky Yarn for Sweaters and Cardigans
BeMe is a roving-style bulky yarn: 100 g / 120 m per skein for 6.5–8 mm needles. It is smooth and soft, glides on the needles and makes clean stitches. Ideal for sweaters, cardigans, scarves and hats that knit up fast without feeling heavy. Also available in a heathered version, BeMe Melange.
NOVA — Lightweight Yarn for Everyday Knits
Our bestselling yarn. NOVA is a smooth, round-spun Peruvian highland wool in worsted weight — the universal yarn weight that works for sweaters, scarves, hats, blankets, and almost every pattern written in the last twenty years. If you are starting with Peruvian wool for the first time, NOVA is the place to start. Available in 8 colors including the perennial favorite, NOVA OLIVE.
How We Source Our Peruvian Wool
The Woolcatcher works with the finest mills in Peru —a factory that has been turning Andean fiber into real yarn since 1931. We visit, test, debate, and decide exactly what our yarn should be.
The fiber. Peruvian wool comes from crossbreed sheep that live in the Andes at altitudes above 13,000 feet (4,000 meters). The cross of Corriedale and Merino breeds gives us exactly what we look for: durability for daily wear and enough softness to be worn directly against the skin. A micron count of 22.5–28.5 microns is our sweet spot.
The colors. The mill has decades of experience in dyeing. We choose the palette ourselves: earthy tones, deep neutrals, colors that age beautifully. We don't chase fleeting trends —we look for nuances that remain beautiful even after many washes.
The yarn. Staple length, twist, weight —we define it all. We want a yarn with a good grip that holds stitches perfectly in most knitting patterns. We test it, send it back for adjustments, and fine-tune it until it knits up exactly as we imagined.
The labels. We design them ourselves. Every label we make is a small reflection of the character and passions of our customers, who are all brought together by one common hobby: knitting.
Peruvian Wool FAQ
Where is the yarn made?
In Peru. The fiber of Corriedale × Merino sheep from the Peruvian Andes is spun and dyed at a Peruvian mill that has been operating since 1931.
Is it easy to knit with? Does it split?
Yes, it's easy. The fiber has a long staple and a natural crimp, so the yarn glides evenly, doesn't split and keeps stitches in place, in simple and complex patterns alike.
How do I wash my knits?
By hand, in lukewarm water (86 °F / 30 °C max) with a gentle wool wash, without rubbing or wringing. Dry flat on a towel, away from direct sun and heat. Do not tumble dry.
What projects is it best for?
Sweaters, cardigans, beanies, mittens, blankets and colorwork such as Fair Isle, jacquard or cables. The fiber's natural grip locks stitches in place and its durability handles daily wear.
Is it itchy?
It depends on your skin. The fiber measures 22.5–28.5 microns, and thanks to the Merino side of the cross it is soft enough to wear next to the skin for most people.
How is it different from ordinary wool?
It is denser, keeps its shape longer, pills less and shows complex stitch patterns better thanks to its long staple.
Is alpaca worth paying more for?
Not always. Peruvian Highland wool balances price, durability and softness: it's warmer than ordinary wool and more affordable than alpaca. Alpaca wins on luxury softness, but for everyday garments this wool is the more practical choice.
How fast is US shipping?
We ship to the US with FedEx in 5–8 business days. Shipping is free on orders over $99, and duties and taxes are included, so there's nothing extra to pay on delivery.
What needle size should I use?
- FACES (super bulky): US 15–50 / 10–25 mm (US 17–19 for garments, US 36–50 for blankets)
- BeMe and BeMe Melange (bulky): US 10½–11 / 6.5–8 mm
- NOVA (light): US 8–11 / 5–8 mm
Always knit a gauge swatch: Peruvian wool blocks beautifully and your gauge may shift after washing. More in our guide needles for chunky and super bulky yarn.