#FunFact: Qiviut - The Golden Fleece of the Arctic
Eight times warmer than sheep's wool, softer than cashmere, and rarer than gold?
We're talking about Qiviut – the luxurious underwool of the musk ox, often referred to as the "golden fleece of the Arctic."
➡️ Fun Fact: Qiviut doesn't shrink, doesn't pill, and can cost up to $200 USD per yard – that's about €190 per 0.91 meters, or €210 per full meter.
🐂 What is Qiviut?
Qiviut (pronounced kiv-ee-ute) is the ultra-soft undercoat of the Arctic musk ox, found in Alaska, Canada, and Greenland.
It grows beneath the outer coat to protect the animal in temperatures as low as –60 °C (–76 °F).
Each musk ox yields only about 1.5 to 2.5 kg of Qiviut per year.
Harvesting is cruelty-free:
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The animals are not sheared. The Qiviut naturally sheds in spring and is collected by hand or combed out.
💎 Why is Qiviut so valuable?
✔️ 8x warmer than sheep's wool
✔️ ultra-soft, odorless & non-itchy
✔️ won't shrink—even in the wash
✔️ hypoallergenic & low-pilling
✔️ lightweight, yet incredibly insulating
And here's the kicker:
➡️ Qiviut gets even softer over time—a rare trait among natural fibers.
➡️ Fun Fact Recap: Prices can reach $200 USD per yard ≈ €190 per 0.91 meters, or €210 per meter—making it one of the most expensive fibers in the world.
🧶 Working with Qiviut
Knitting with Qiviut is a dream—but also a responsibility. Given its cost and texture, it's best suited for thoughtful, detailed work.
📌 Tips for working with Qiviut:
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Use smooth wooden needles to prevent slipping
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Aim for looser gauge swatches – Qiviut has almost no memory
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Best for lacework, accessories, and heirloom pieces
🧼 Care instructions:
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Handwash only, in lukewarm water with mild wool detergent
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No softeners or wringing
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Lay flat to dry – no ironing needed
🌟 Project Ideas for Qiviut Yarn
Because of its price and delicacy, Qiviut is ideal for small luxury projects or gifts that last a lifetime.
✨ Top projects include:
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Lace shawls or neckwarmers
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Hats with a cashmere blend
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Fingerless gloves
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Elegant cuffs or heirloom baby knits
One 25g skein of pure Qiviut goes a long way—and wraps you in Arctic softness.
❄️ My Takeaway:
Qiviut isn't just yarn—it's an experience.
It carries the spirit of the tundra, the warmth of tradition, and the quiet luxury of something rare and real.
A fiber that tells a story—stitch by stitch.
💬 Have you ever seen or touched Qiviut?
Would you treat yourself to a skein of Arctic gold—or have you already crafted with it?
Let's hear your luxury yarn stories!
#funfact #qiviut #luxuryfiber #strickenimtrend #craftedwithlove
Expensive, but OHO!
Yours,
Kathrin ❄️🧶
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