Truly gorgeous tweed yarns (Part 1)
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how the yarn we choose can completely change the way a project feels. Tweed yarn, in particular, has a special charm. Those tiny, colorful flecks can turn even the simplest piece into something truly full of character.
That’s exactly why I picked tweed yarn for my English Club Sweater. Its texture and little details brought the design to life in a way I hadn’t imagined at first. I’ll share more about the sweater at the end of this Esenote.
A quick backstory on tweed:
Tweed yarn originated in Scotland and Ireland, where it was spun from wool to create durable, weatherproof garments. Its beauty lies in the colorful “neps” - tiny flecks of fiber dyed separately and blended into the yarn during spinning.
While traditionally made from wool, today’s tweed yarns often include fibers like alpaca, viscose, or synthetics, offering a variety of textures and weights to suit every project.
One of the best things about tweed yarn is how forgiving it is. Those lovely speckles naturally mask small imperfections, making it perfect if you’re experimenting with new techniques or your tension isn’t quite consistent.
I’ve chosen 5 tweed yarns to inspire you today, and I’ll share more next time. Take your time exploring them - no rush, just take your time browsing and daydreaming :)
1. Isager Tweed (Fingering weight).
Let’s step into the world of true artisanal knitting. Isager Tweed is a blend of 70% wool and 30% mohair, offering a rustic, slightly rugged texture softened by the delicate sheen of mohair.
Each 50g skein provides 200 meters (218 yards) and knits at 26 stitches per 10 cm on 3 mm needles.
What makes this yarn special is how it feels to work with - raw, authentic, and undeniably real. Yes, it’s a bit more rugged than soft, fluffy yarns, but that’s exactly what makes it so unique.
The natural, earthy colors bring out the beauty of its texture, and if you pair it with Isager Silk Mohair, you can use larger needles, making your project grow faster and creating a soft, eye-catching finish that really stands out!
Take a peek at some beautiful Ravelry projects made with Isager Tweed for inspiration - you’ll see just how versatile and lovely this yarn can be! Ready to try it yourself? You can order it here.
2. Lana Grossa Landlust Soft Tweed 180 (Fine/DK).
This yarn feels like quiet luxury. Made from 100% virgin Merino wool, it combines softness, warmth, and a beautifully lightweight touch. Each 50g skein holds 180 meters (197 yards), with a gauge of 20 stitches per 10 cm on 3.5–4.5 mm needles, making it perfect for lightweight sweaters, shawls, or delicate layering pieces.
I don’t usually recommend fine yarns for beginners because they take more time and patience, but this one deserves a place on the list. If you stumble upon a simple, elegant pattern that calls for something lighter, this yarn will bring it to life.
Try it out here.
3. DROPS Soft Tweed (DK).
Of course, what’s an Esenote without mentioning a DROPS yarn? 😊
This is the yarn I used for the English Club Sweater, and it’s softer than most 100% wool tweeds. What makes it special is its blend of wool, alpaca, and viscose, offering the perfect balance of softness and durability.
That said, it does have a few quirks - the blend can occasionally result in slight unevenness in thickness (similar to blown yarns like DROPS Air) and may pill with frequent wear. Even so, its smooth texture and budget-friendly price more than make up for these minor flaws.
DROPS also provides a great library of free patterns, and Ravelry is full of inspiring projects knitters have made with this yarn.
Each 50g ball offers 130 meters (142 yards) and knits at 21 stitches per 10 cm on 4 mm needles. Ready to give it a try? You can find a local reseller here.
4. Sandnes Garn Peer Gynt (Worsted).
Peer Gynt is a classic, 100% Norwegian wool yarn known and loved by many knitters (including some big-name designers). With over 14,000 projects on Ravelry, it’s clear this yarn has earned its place in the spotlight.
It’s warm but not heavy, and the color selection is fantastic - ranging from cozy neutrals to bold, vibrant shades, with a few tweed options for extra texture. If you’re feeling adventurous or have a certain look in mind, you’re sure to find the perfect hue.
Each 50g skein gives you 91 meters (100 yards) and knits at 22 stitches per 10 cm on 4 mm needles.
Curious? Learn more about Peer Gynt on their website, and don’t miss their inspiring patterns here.
5. Hobbii Tweed Delight (Worsted).
We’re wrapping up this part of the journey on a vibrant note. Hobbii Tweed Delight comes in a dazzling color palette that’s perfect for creating bold, creative garments (I’m especially fond of color 02!). This yarn combines 85% wool, 10% acrylic, and 5% viscose, giving you all the cozy warmth of wool with a bit of extra comfort.
The fabric it creates is unexpectedly soft while still holding onto the rustic charm tweed yarn is known for.
Each 50g skein provides 100 meters (109 yards) and knits at 17 stitches per 10 cm on 5 mm needles.
Many designers have shared their patterns for this yarn - take a look on the Hobbii website (section Patterns) here.
What’s behind the scenes.
Now, about the English Club Sweater - it was inspired by DROPS Soft Tweed and initially planned as a December release. The idea was to create a warm-up project that would prepare you, my adventurous beginner, for the techniques featured in The Artist’s Sweater.
As I finished it, I realized it needed something more. The beauty of knitting is that it allows us to pause, rethink, and create anew.
I unraveled it and started fresh. The new version will be more feminine, with a longer body, neat side slits, a mock neck, and wider sleeves - imagine wearing it with velvet pants or a wool skirt. It’s a piece to look forward to next autumn.
Meanwhile, I’ve already started filming The Artist’s Sweater tutorial, and I’m so excited for us to knit it together in January.
I’ll be back one last time this year with 5 more tweed yarn suggestions to inspire you. Until then, which of these yarns caught your eye? Is there one that feels like “you”? Or maybe you have a question?
Hit reply and let me know what’s on your mind - I love hearing your thoughts. Your feedback and ideas help shape future Esenotes, and together, we learn and grow as knitters.
Warm regards,
Julia Piro
Knitwear Designer & Esenotes Curator
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