Wool Yarn
Why Wool Yarn?
Wool has been spun and knitted for thousands of years, and for good reason. As a natural protein fibre sourced from sheep, wool offers a combination of properties that synthetic alternatives simply cannot replicate: it regulates temperature, wicks moisture, resists odour, and — crucially for knitters — it has a natural elasticity that makes it forgiving to work with and beautiful to wear.
Whether you're knitting your first sweater or casting on your fiftieth pair of socks, wool yarn delivers stitch definition, drape, and durability that stands the test of time.
The Orry Mill Wool Yarn Edit
We've curated our wool yarn collection around quality, craft, and colour. Every yarn in this collection has been chosen by Thilde and Stephen, the team behind The Orry Mill, based in Eaglesham, Glasgow. We're knitters ourselves, and we only stock what we'd genuinely reach for.
Our wool yarn range includes some of the most respected names in contemporary knitting:
West Yorkshire Spinners bring exceptional British-made wool yarns including the much-loved Bo Peep DK for baby knits, the textured Croft Shetland range, and the ColourLab DK — a favourite for colourwork projects. WYS yarns are spun in Keighley, West Yorkshire, continuing a proud tradition of British wool manufacturing.
Rowan is one of the most iconic British yarn brands in the world. Our Rowan wool collection spans everything from the supremely versatile Felted Tweed — a staple in the knitting community — through to Big Wool for fast, tactile projects and the beautiful Fine Tweed Haze for lace and lightweight layering pieces.
Knitting for Olive has established itself as a favourite among modern knitters for its elegant, muted Scandinavian palette. Their Merino is a particular highlight — smooth, soft, and wonderfully reliable for garment knitting.
Sandnes Garn, Norway's oldest yarn mill, contributes several standout wools to our range. Peer Gynt — a Norwegian classic — is prized for its durability and colour range. Kos brings a softer, more luxurious hand to the Sandnes family.
Noro offers something entirely different: long self-striping colourways inspired by nature, where every skein tells its own colour story. Noro wools are the go-to for knitters who want their yarn to do the creative work.
Jamieson & Smith represents the authentic Shetland wool tradition. Their 2-ply Jumper Weight is the yarn of choice for Fair Isle knitting — light, fine, and available in a vast range of shades.
Schoppel rounds out the collection with their celebrated Zauberball Crazy — a hand-dyed, self-patterning sock-weight wool that produces stunning results without a single colourwork chart.
Choosing the Right Wool Yarn Weight
Wool yarn is available across all standard weights in our collection. Use this as a quick guide:
- Lace & 4-ply — ideal for delicate shawls, socks, and fine-gauge garments. Look to Jamieson & Smith or WYS Signature 4ply.
- DK (double knit) — the most versatile weight. Perfect for sweaters, baby knits, accessories, and colourwork. WYS Bo Peep, Rowan Felted Tweed, and Knitting for Olive Merino all fall here.
- Aran — faster to knit, great for cosy outerwear, blankets, and textured stitch patterns. WYS Croft Shetland Aran is a standout.
- Chunky & Super Chunky — ideal for quick projects and bold, tactile results. WYS Retreat Chunky Roving is a popular choice for beginners and experienced knitters alike.
Caring for Wool Yarn
Most wool yarns benefit from hand washing in cool water with a specialist wool wash, laid flat to dry. Many contemporary wools — particularly superwash-treated merino — are machine washable on a wool or delicate cycle. Always check the ball band for the specific care instructions for your chosen yarn.
Shop Wool Yarn at The Orry Mill
We're an independent, family-run wool shop based in Glasgow, Scotland. Alongside our online store, you can visit us in person in Eaglesham, where our full range is available to browse, touch, and compare. We offer expert advice — in store, online, and through our Yarn School — to help you find exactly the right wool yarn for your next project.
Browse our full range above, or explore by weight, brand, or fibre type using the filters.
Related collections: Merino Yarn · DK Yarn · Aran Yarn · 4-ply Yarn · British Wool Yarn · Rowan Yarn · West Yorkshire Spinners