Sandnes Garn Alpakka Følgetråd | Alpaca Second Strand

Soft, warm and made for holding together with another yarn, Alpakka Følgetråd is Sandnes Garn's 100% alpaca second strand. It adds softness, warmth and depth of colour without the fluffy mohair halo of Tynn Silk Mohair, making it a fantastic mohair alternative for sweaters, cardigans and accessories. With a generous 400 metres per 50g ball, a little goes a long way.

• Meterage: 400m per 50g ball
• Ply: Lace / Second Strand
• Material: 100% Alpaca
• Machine Washable: Yes – Wool cycle at 30°C
• Knitting Needles: Determined by your pattern and yarn combination
• Knitting Tension: Determined by your pattern and yarn combination

About Sandnes Garn Alpakka Følgetråd

The Norwegian word følgetråd means a thread that follows along, which neatly describes exactly what this yarn is designed to do.

Rather than being developed around a particular needle size or knitting tension, Alpakka Følgetråd is intended to be held together with another yarn as a second strand. This gives you the freedom to add the warmth and softness of alpaca to a wide range of yarns without substantially increasing the weight of the finished garment.

The fine 100% alpaca strand also gives you an impressive 400 metres from each 50g ball.

A Mohair-Free Second Strand

If you like the idea of adding a second strand to your knitting but don't want the distinctive fluffy halo of mohair, Alpakka Følgetråd is an excellent alternative.

Holding it together with another yarn adds alpaca softness and warmth while creating a smoother look than Tynn Silk Mohair. This can be particularly useful when you want the benefits of a second strand but prefer a less fuzzy finished fabric.

It also opens up another option for patterns where mohair is suggested but isn't the texture you want.

Always keep in mind that substituting alpaca for mohair will change the character of the finished fabric, even if you're able to achieve the same gauge.

Playing With Colour

A second strand isn't only about changing the feel of your knitting. It's also a simple way to change colour.

Hold Alpakka Følgetråd with a similar shade for subtle depth and richness, or combine contrasting colours to create a marled or blended effect that would be difficult to achieve with a single yarn.

Because the strand is so fine, small changes in your colour pairing can have a surprisingly noticeable effect on the finished fabric.

Alpakka Følgetråd vs Tynn Silk Mohair vs Primo Tynn Silk Mohair

All three can be used as a second strand, but they create quite different results.

Choose Alpakka Følgetråd when you want 100% alpaca softness and warmth without a mohair halo. It's the natural choice when you're looking for a mohair-free second strand.

Choose Tynn Silk Mohair when you want the classic soft, fluffy mohair halo. Its mohair, silk and wool blend adds warmth, texture and a more visibly fuzzy finish.

Choose Primo Tynn Silk Mohair when you want the premium mohair option. Its blend of 75% Super Kid Mohair and 25% silk gives you a luxurious fine mohair and silk yarn with no added wool.

In short: Alpakka Følgetråd for smooth alpaca warmth, Tynn Silk Mohair for the classic mohair halo, or Primo for a premium Super Kid Mohair and silk finish.

How Much Alpakka Følgetråd Do I Need?

Each 50g ball contains approximately 400 metres, so compare the meterage with the main yarn or pattern requirements rather than simply matching the number of balls.

For example, if your project uses around 1,200 metres of your main yarn and you intend to carry Alpakka Følgetråd throughout the entire project, you'll generally need approximately the same running length of the second strand.

Always allow for your pattern, size, tension and any differences in how the yarns are used.

Care

Alpakka Følgetråd can be machine washed using a gentle wool programme at 30°C. Wash knitted garments separately, reshape after washing and dry flat.

When using Alpakka Følgetråd as a second strand, always follow the most delicate care requirements of all yarns used in your finished garment.

Always follow the care instructions on the yarn label.