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Our Yarns

All AppleOak yarns are made from natural fibres and coloured using traditional natural dyes wherever indicated. We work with wool, alpaca, yak, silk, hemp, ramie, bamboo and nettle — fibres chosen for integrity, longevity and feel.

Our own-brand yarns are dyed in-house using natural colour. We do not use heavy metals or synthetic colour-enhancing chemicals. Where possible, our dyes are organically grown and processed in our studio in Co. Clare.

Natural fibre. Honest colour. 

3 products
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Set of yarn skeins in various colors on a wooden surface
ALPACA QUITO
100% Superfine Alpaca
Natural Colours
€24,95
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Set of colorful yarn balls by Studio Donegal with labels on a rustic wooden surface
DONEGAL TWEED
100% Wool
Spun in Donegal
€8,50
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Four balls of gray nettle yarn stacked vertically on a wooden surface.
NETTLE YARN
Himalayan Nettle Fibre
Hand-Spun
from €2,00

ALPACA QUITO
100% Superfine Alpaca
Natural Colours

€24,95 Save €-24,95

ALPACA QUITO

100% Superfine Alpaca | Aran Weight | Natural Colours | NOTE: The black yarn is dyed, as natural black Alpacas are a rarity.

There is a particular comfort in softly spun alpaca. 

Grown in the high altitudes of the Peruvian Andes, superfine alpaca fibre offers exceptional warmth whilst remaining lightweight, breathable, and gentle against the skin. Naturally free of lanolin, it is especially well suited for those sensitive to sheep’s wool.

Alpaca Quito is a softly spun single-ply yarn made from 100% superfine alpaca fibre. Its airy structure allows the knitted fabric to form countless small air pockets, creating exceptional insulation whilst maintaining lightness and drape.

Smooth and silky on the needles, it moves effortlessly whilst knitting and settles into garments with a relaxed, natural flow. Its softness and buoyancy make it especially suited to warm sweaters, scarves, and garments designed for comfort and ease.

From alpaca farmer to spinning mill, the entire production takes place within Peru, supporting regional fibre traditions and local employment.

In a nutshell

Fibre: 100% superfine alpaca
Yarn type: single ply (Nm 1.2/1)
Weight: Aran weight
Length: 120m per 100 g skein
Skein weight: 100 g
Recommended needle size: 5–6 mm

Origin: Superfine alpaca from Peru 🇵🇪
Production: Spun and finished in Peru

What it is ideal for

• Warm sweaters and cardigans
• Hats, scarves, and shawls
• Winter garments
• Soft and insulating knitwear
• Seamless and draped garments

Character

This softly spun single-ply yarn creates exceptional loft and insulation whilst remaining lightweight. Superfine alpaca offers natural warmth, softness, and breathability. Free of lanolin, it is especially comfortable for sensitive skin.

Its gently spun structure allows finished garments to retain softness, warmth, and natural drape.

Care

Hand wash gently in cool water
Reshape whilst damp
Dry flat

Shade continuity

This yarn is available in a carefully selected range of natural alpaca shades. These colours reflect the natural fleece tones and require no dyeing, apart from black.

If working on a larger project, we recommend ordering sufficient yarn to complete your garment.

Colourways

Available in a range of natural  alpaca shades drawn directly from the natural fleece palette.

NOTE: The black yarn is dyed, as natural black Alpacas are a rarity.

Select your colour from the dropdown menu.

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review Write a review

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review Write a review
Set of yarn skeins in various colors on a wooden surface
Gray skein of alpaca yarn with a label on a teal coloured wooden surface
Gray skein of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Skein of brown alpaca yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Brown skein of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Gray skein of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Gray skein of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Dark gray skein of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Black skein of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
White skein of Alpaca yarn with a branded white AppleOak Label on a teal coloured wooden floor
Beige skein of yarn with a label on a teal coloured wooden surface
Set of yarn skeins in various colors on a wooden surface
Gray skein of alpaca yarn with a label on a teal coloured wooden surface
Gray skein of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Skein of brown alpaca yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Brown skein of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Gray skein of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Gray skein of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Dark gray skein of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Black skein of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
White skein of Alpaca yarn with a branded white AppleOak Label on a teal coloured wooden floor
Beige skein of yarn with a label on a teal coloured wooden surface

DONEGAL TWEED
100% Wool
Spun in Donegal

€8,50 Save €-8,50

DONEGAL TWEED YARN 

100% Irish Wool | Aran Weight | Spun in Donegal 🇮🇪

There is a particular honesty to Donegal tweed.

Born of landscape, weather, and generations of textile tradition, this yarn carries the quiet complexity of the Irish coast — soft greys, moss greens, ocean blues, and the subtle flecking that defines Donegal's characteristic landscape.

Spun and commercially dyed in Kilcar, Co. Donegal, this is an authentic Irish Aran-weight yarn made from 100% pure new wool. It is warm, durable, and deeply satisfying to knit with — the kind of yarn that settles into garments made to be worn for years.

Whether you are knitting a traditional Aran jumper or a contemporary everyday piece, Donegal tweed brings depth, texture, and heritage into every stitch.

In a nutshell

  • Fibre: 100% pure new wool
  • Weight: Aran / worsted weight
  • Length: 80 m per 50 g ball
  • Ball weight: 50 g
  • Recommended needle size: 4 mm (US 6 / UK 8)
  • Origin: Spun and dyed in Kilcar, Co. Donegal, Ireland 🇮🇪

What it is ideal for

• Traditional Aran jumpers
• Sweaters and cardigans
• Hats, scarves, and mittens
• Durable everyday knitwear

Character

Donegal tweed is known for its heathered base and distinctive flecks, created during blending, carding and spinning. These subtle variations give finished garments depth and life, and connect them to a long Irish textile tradition.

Care

Hand wash gently in cool water
Reshape whilst damp
Dry flat

Shade continuity

As with all traditionally spun yarns, subtle variation exists between dye lots.
If working on a larger project, we recommend ordering sufficient yarn to complete your garment.

Colourways

Available in a range of traditional Donegal tweed shades, each reflecting the colours of the Irish landscape.

Select your colour from the dropdown menu.

Customer reviews

Set of colorful yarn balls by Studio Donegal with labels on a rustic wooden surface
White Ball of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Ball of beige yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Ball of grey yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Ball of black yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Green ball of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Green ball of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Blue ball of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Purple yarn ball with a label on a wooden surface
Red ball of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Blue skein of yarn with Studio Donegal label on a green wooden surface
Set of colorful yarn balls by Studio Donegal with labels on a rustic wooden surface
White Ball of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Ball of beige yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Ball of grey yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Ball of black yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Green ball of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Green ball of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Blue ball of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Purple yarn ball with a label on a wooden surface
Red ball of yarn with a label on a wooden surface
Blue skein of yarn with Studio Donegal label on a green wooden surface

NETTLE YARN
Himalayan Nettle Fibre
Hand-Spun

€26,50 Save €-26,50

HAND-SPUN NETTLE YARN

Himalayan Nettle Fibre | Naturally Undyed | Hand-Spun in Nepal

Our Himalayan nettle yarn is hand-harvested from wild nettle plants growing in Nepal and spun by hand using traditional methods. Untreated and naturally processed using only water and wood ash, it retains the integrity and character of the original fibre.

The yarn carries the quiet irregularity and variation inherent to hand-spun plant fibres. Its natural colours range from soft grey and beige to warm, earthy tones, reflecting the fibre’s origin.

Historically known as “poor man’s linen,” nettle fibre shares many of linen’s qualities — strength, breathability, and durability — whilst offering its own distinct texture and presence.

This yarn is entirely plant-based, biodegradable and produced through ethical small-scale production supporting rural families and traditional fibre knowledge.

In a nutshell

Fibre: 100% Himalayan nettle fibre
Weight options: Thin and medium weight
Length: approx. 265 m per 100 g
Form: skein or ball depending on weight

Processing: Hand-harvested and hand-spun
Treatment: Naturally processed using water and wood ash
Origin: Himalayan region, Nepal 🇳🇵

Colour: Naturally undyed (grey, beige, and earthy tones)

Weight options

Thin weight
• Smooth and relatively even
• Suitable for knitting, weaving, crochet
• Ideal for garments and other textile work

Medium weight
• More textured and uneven
• Suitable for weaving and structural textile work
• Less suited to fine knitting or garments

What it is ideal for

• Weaving
• Knitting (thin weight)
• Textile art
• Structural textiles
• Sustainable fibre projects
• Historical and heritage textile work

Character

Nettle fibre shares qualities with linen — strength, breathability, and longevity — whilst maintaining its own distinctive texture.

Each skein reflects the hand-spun process and the natural variation of wild plant fibre.

Care

Hand wash gently in cool water
Reshape whilst damp
Dry flat

With use and washing, the fibre softens naturally.

Ethical production

This yarn is produced through ethical, small-scale production in Nepal, supporting local women and families and preserving traditional fibre skills.

Wild harvesting ensures minimal environmental impact.

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews Write a review

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews Write a review
Four balls of gray nettle yarn stacked vertically on a wooden surface.
Coiled gray nettle yarn on a teal coloured wooden surface
Coiled beige nettle yarn on a teal coloured wooden surface
Two gray nettle strings on a teal coloured wooden surface
3 skeins of nettle yarn on a teal coloured timber background
nettle yarn in ball form
nettle yarn hank close up
nettle yarn woven
nettle yarn woven
Nettle dress, woven and made by Sofia C.
retting of nettle fibre
retted nettle fibre
Himalayan Nettle
retted nettle fibre
preparing wood ash lye
preparing dried nettle fibre
hanging up nettle fibre to dry
lye soaked nettle fibre
weaving with cotton and nettle
preparing a cotton and nettle warp
putting nettle yarn onto bobbins for weaving
spinning nettle yarn and knitting nettle shawls
Four balls of gray nettle yarn stacked vertically on a wooden surface.
Coiled gray nettle yarn on a teal coloured wooden surface
Coiled beige nettle yarn on a teal coloured wooden surface
Two gray nettle strings on a teal coloured wooden surface
3 skeins of nettle yarn on a teal coloured timber background
nettle yarn in ball form
nettle yarn hank close up
nettle yarn woven
nettle yarn woven
Nettle dress, woven and made by Sofia C.
retting of nettle fibre
retted nettle fibre
Himalayan Nettle
retted nettle fibre
preparing wood ash lye
preparing dried nettle fibre
hanging up nettle fibre to dry
lye soaked nettle fibre
weaving with cotton and nettle
preparing a cotton and nettle warp
putting nettle yarn onto bobbins for weaving
spinning nettle yarn and knitting nettle shawls