Camel Merino Yarn, LANA GATTO CAMEL HAIR, Luxury Italian DK Weight Yarn, 125m/50g

Some luxury yarns announce themselves. CAMEL HAIR doesn't have to. With 40% Camel and 60% Extrafine Merino Wool, this long-running LANA GATTO Luxury Collection yarn has the quiet sophistication of a fiber blend that doesn't depend on sparkle, novelty texture or complicated construction to feel special.

At 125m/50g, CAMEL HAIR sits in one of the most useful ranges for wearable knitwear: substantial enough to create beautiful sweaters and cardigans without becoming bulky, yet light enough for layering, scarves, vests, hats and pieces meant to be worn again and again.

And this is not a one-season experiment. CAMEL HAIR remains part of LANA GATTO's current Luxury Collection 2026 / Winter 2026–27, with an extensive color palette and continuing pattern support. It is a yarn you can discover now — and come back to for the next project.

▣ Product Specifications:
• Manufacturer: LANA GATTO / Filatura Tollegno 1900, Italy
• Article: CAMEL HAIR
• Collection: Luxury
• Fiber Content: 60% Extrafine Merino Wool, 40% Camel
• Yarn Weight: DK / Light Worsted
• Meterage: 125m / 50g (137yd / 1.76oz)
• Equivalent: 250m / 100g (273yd / 3.52oz)
• Yarn Structure: Smooth, even-spun yarn with a soft natural surface
• Format: Original factory-wound 50 g / 1.76 oz balls
• Recommended Needle Size: 4–4.5 mm / US 6–7
• Suggested Gauge: 18 sts / 10 cm (4 in)
• Finish: Shrinkproof
• Origin: Made in Italy

✦ My First Impression
CAMEL HAIR is one of those yarns that is frustratingly difficult to photograph properly. In person, it looks richer and more refined than it does on a screen.

What I particularly like is that it doesn't feel like a novelty luxury yarn. The strand is smooth and beautifully balanced, with a subtle natural surface rather than an exaggerated halo. It feels soft, substantial enough to make a beautiful fabric, but not heavy.

And now that I have added red, I like this yarn even more. CAMEL HAIR does not have to stay within traditional camel, beige and brown shades. A strong color completely changes its personality while preserving that quiet, sophisticated surface.

✦ 40% CAMEL — NOT JUST A TOKEN AMOUNT
Camel isn't appearing here as a tiny luxury percentage added to a conventional wool yarn.

Forty percent of the yarn is Camel.

The remaining 60% is Extrafine Merino Wool, giving CAMEL HAIR a particularly useful balance: the distinctive character and warmth of camel fiber combined with the elasticity and knitting performance of fine Merino.

That makes it much more than a beautiful neutral-fiber story. It is a practical garment yarn designed to be worn.

➤ A YARN YOU CAN COME BACK TO
CAMEL HAIR is part of LANA GATTO's continuing Luxury Collection — not a one-season fashion novelty. It remains in the current 2026 collection and can be reordered as needed.

That matters when you're planning a larger project. You don't necessarily have to treat every ball as now or never.

Start with a hat, scarf or vest. Discover the fabric. Then come back for the sweater.

✦ THE SWEET SPOT FOR REAL CLOTHES
At 125m/50g, CAMEL HAIR lands in a wonderfully versatile place.

It isn't an ultra-fine yarn that requires months of tiny stitches. It isn't a bulky yarn that dictates an oversized silhouette. It gives you enough substance for visible texture while remaining refined enough for classic garments.

Think:

• beautifully simple crewneck or V-neck sweaters
• polished cardigans
• men's sweaters and accessories
• sleeveless vests over a shirt
• contemporary polo-style knits
• scarves and neck warmers
• hats and matching accessories
• children's garments
• textured stitches and restrained cables

This is the kind of yarn where the finished garment can outlive the trend that inspired it.

➤ What Can I Make & How Much Should I Buy?
• Hat — 1–2 balls / 50–100 g
• Cowl or neck warmer — 2–3 balls / 100–150 g
• Scarf — 3–5 balls / 150–250 g
• Sleeveless vest — 5–7 balls / 250–350 g
• Women's sweater, S–M — approximately 7–9 balls / 350–450 g
• Larger or relaxed sweater — approximately 9–12 balls / 450–600 g
• Cardigan — approximately 8–11 balls / 400–550 g

Project construction, size, ease, stitch pattern and gauge will change actual requirements.

As a useful official reference, LANA GATTO's Hooded Mock Collar uses only 3 balls / 150 g, worked on 4.5 mm needles.

✦ CAMEL DOESN'T HAVE TO BE CAMEL-COLORED
There is something beautiful about Camel fiber in its traditional natural palette — camel, oatmeal, taupe, grey.

But I wouldn't limit this yarn to that story.

Deep blue, green, burgundy — and especially the new red — turn CAMEL HAIR into something much more contemporary. The sophisticated fiber and smooth surface remain, but the color changes the entire attitude of the finished garment.

A simple red sweater in Camel and Extrafine Merino doesn't need complicated stitches to make a statement.

✦ LET THE FIBER BE THE LUXURY
CAMEL HAIR is already complete on its own.

For a timeless sweater, cardigan or vest, I would use one strand and let the fiber speak for itself.

But a very fine companion can deliberately change the effect.

A strand of fine Silk Mohair can soften the surface and create additional haze. A fine Silk yarn can change drape and add subtle luminosity. A very fine metallic or effect yarn can take CAMEL HAIR away from classic knitwear and into something more fashion-driven.

The important distinction is this: you don't need a companion yarn to improve CAMEL HAIR. Add one only when you intentionally want to change its character.

For additional halo, pair it with LANA GATTO SILK MOHAIR.

For subtle irregular texture and flashes of Lurex, try RiGo CRISTALLO.

✦ OFFICIAL LANA GATTO INSPIRATION
LANA GATTO itself has used CAMEL HAIR for considerably more than basic sweaters. Current and archived projects include a Sophisticated Vest, Sweater and Beanie, Hooded Mock Collar and Neck Bandana.

That is a useful indication of how versatile 125m/50g can be: from a small three-ball accessory to an entire garment.

Explore LANA GATTO CAMEL HAIR and official projects

➤ Knitting & Crochet
LANA GATTO recommends 4–4.5 mm / US 6–7 needles, and published references give approximately 18 stitches per 10 cm / 4 in.

Stockinette is an excellent first swatch because it lets you see the yarn itself. Ribbing creates clean definition; restrained cables and textured stitches can add interest without overwhelming the fiber.

For crochet, swatch carefully to avoid creating fabric that is unnecessarily dense. Adjust hook size according to the drape required by your project.

⫯ Weaving
CAMEL HAIR can make a beautiful soft weft for scarves, wraps and refined winter fabrics where warmth and hand feel matter.

For warp, sample first and consider a smoother, more abrasion-resistant yarn if the project will place significant tension or friction on the warp threads.

➤ Complete the Project
The manufacturer's 4–4.5 mm range makes CAMEL HAIR particularly suitable for interchangeable or fixed circular needles.

Explore ChiaoGoo Knitting Needles & Accessories.

⟳ Care Instructions
• Hand wash gently, maximum 30°C / 86°F
• Use a mild detergent suitable for fine natural fibers
• Do not use fabric softener
• Do not rub, twist or wring
• Gently press excess water into a towel
• Reshape while damp
• Lay flat to dry
• Store finished garments folded