🧶 Understanding Yarn Weight (Nm)
What is Nm?
Our cone yarns are measured using the Nm (Number metric) system — a standard in the textile industry for indicating yarn fineness.
Nm means:
How many meters of yarn weigh one gram.
In short: The higher the Nm, the finer the yarn.
📏 Examples:
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30Nm = 30 meters per gram → Fine yarn
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10Nm = 10 meters per gram → Thicker yarn
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2/30Nm = 15 meters per gram → Moderate thickness
🔍 Let’s break it down:
2/30Nm means: two plies of 30Nm yarn twisted together.
Each single strand is 30Nm (30 meters per gram), and when you double it, the combined result is equivalent to 15 meters per gram — twice as thick.
🧵 Why does Nm matter?
Higher Nm yarns are:
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Finer and lighter
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Require higher-quality fiber, advanced spinning techniques, and greater production precision
That’s why high-Nm yarns are often used by discerning crafters who value stitch definition, breathability, and softness.
🧶Machine-Grade Yarn, Hand-Knitting Ready
These yarns are originally designed for machine knitting or weaving.
If you're a hand knitter or crocheter, you’ll likely need to ply multiple strands together to reach your desired yarn weight (e.g. fingering, DK, worsted).
📊 Cone Yarn Ply Reference Table
— for Wool, Cashmere & Other Animal Fibers
(Click to enlarge if shown as image)
⚠️ Important Notes
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🧵 Nm counts may vary slightly depending on fiber content (e.g. wool, cashmere, silk) and country of origin.
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✋ Each knitter has their own tension and hand feel, so final thickness can vary.
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🔍 Always swatch before starting a project to test:
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Gauge
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Density
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Shrinkage after washing
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✨ Tip
This chart is a starting point — don't be afraid to mix different fibers, colors, or strand counts to create one-of-a-kind textures.
🐐 Mohair Blends & Brushed Yarn: Special Considerations
Mohair blends and brushed yarns often come in very fine Nm counts that may look thin but fluff up beautifully when worked.
Typical Nm counts include:
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9500 Nm
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13,000 Nm
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18,000 Nm
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22,000 Nm
These ultra-fine yarns are typically:
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Held double or triple to reach a practical thickness
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Used alongside other yarns to add halo and softness
Additional context:
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10,000 Nm ("10k count") is often considered the entry point for luxury mohair
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Italian mohair often comes in this 10,000 Nm to 15,000 Nm range
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Japanese kid mohair tends to be even finer, from 13,000 Nm to 18,000 Nm, offering extreme softness and airy texture
