The Wool We Use at IrelandsEye
The yarn is at the heart of every piece of knitwear we create.
At IrelandsEye, we work with three main qualities: a clean and versatile 100% Merino wool yarn, a luxurious blend of 95% virgin wool and 5% cashmere, and our newly developed lightweight blend of 50% recycled wool, 45% virgin wool and 5% recycled cashmere.
Each yarn brings its own unique properties to work with, influencing everything from the weight and texture of a garment to its drape, silhouette and feel against the skin.
Merino Wool
Our Merino wool is clean, strong and very delicate on the skin, which is why it serves as the base for some of our bestselling garments, such as the Clover Cropped Aran Cardigan.
Merino wool lends itself beautifully to Aran cable design. Large stitches and three-dimensional patterns nod to the traditional wools used to create early Arans, while the high-grade fibre has a much softer hand feel, making it perfect for everyday wear.
It is this combination of tradition and wearability that makes Merino such an important yarn within our collections. Merino wool also has a strong natural elasticity. A garment can sometimes feel snug on its first wear but will gently loosen over time to reveal a more relaxed fit, moving and adapting with you as you wear it.
The result is knitwear that feels soft and comfortable while still allowing the detail and character of traditional Irish knitwear to shine through.
Virgin Wool & Cashmere
Since 1988, we have been working with noble fibres like cashmere and silk to create truly luxurious and elevated knitwear.
Our blend of 95% virgin wool and 5% cashmere marries traditional Irish design with modern fibre innovation, creating a yarn that is truly unmatched. This is a denser yarn that works beautifully into chunky stitches and heavier garments, making it perfect for colder winter days. The weight gives the finished knitwear a beautiful drape and lends itself particularly well to more relaxed and oversized silhouettes.
Our iconic Roundstone Sweater is the perfect example: a piece designed to make you feel warm and cosy without compromising on classic, effortless style.
The addition of cashmere elevates the traditional wool knit, resulting in garments that feel luxurious while retaining the substance, warmth and character we love in Irish knitwear.
Recycled Wool & Cashmere
For IrelandsEye Knitwear, sustainability and innovation work in tandem, and our newest yarn development is the result of our dedication to this craft.
Our lightweight blend is made using 50% recycled wool, 45% virgin wool and 5% recycled cashmere, creating knitwear that is particularly suited to spring and summer.
The recycled elements come from post-consumer goods, meaning quality wool and cashmere fibres have been repurposed to create something new. The resulting garments are light and flowy, with a slimmer fit that feels incredibly soft against the skin. This lighter construction gives us the opportunity to explore a different side of knitwear: refined, elegant pieces that can be worn beyond the colder winter months.
The Cassia Cardigan perfectly displays the refined elegance and classic fit of garments made using this blend. Soft, lightweight and true to size, it demonstrates how innovation in yarn can create an entirely different wearing experience while remaining unmistakably IrelandsEye.
Which Yarn Is Right for You?
Choosing between our yarns comes down to when, where and how you like to wear your knitwear.
For a versatile everyday piece with beautiful stitch definition and a soft feel against the skin, our 100% Merino wool is an enduring choice.
If you are looking for something warmer and more substantial, with a luxurious weight and beautiful drape, explore our virgin wool and cashmere blend.
For lighter days and transitional dressing, our recycled wool and recycled cashmere blend offers a softer, flowing alternative that brings knitwear into spring and summer.
Each yarn has been chosen for a reason. From the strength and versatility of Merino to the luxurious addition of cashmere and the lightweight innovation of our recycled blend, the fibre informs not only how a garment looks, but how it feels to wear.
It is through this careful balance of yarn, design and craftsmanship that we continue to create knitwear rooted in Irish tradition and designed for modern life.
