Ito Yarn – Discovering the quiet magic of Japanese yarns

It seems I've always had a thing for Japanese yarns.  Noro yarn, obviously, with its painterly colors and rustic textures, and the way every skein feels like a piece of art. But Noro isn’t the only Japanese yarn we adore.  There's lovely Ikigai, and fabulous DanDoh.

No, let me introduce you to another brand that brings its own kind of magic to your knitting: ITO Yarn.

ITO looks so different from other yarns--the fibers are so fine, and what is with those cones?   It reminds me of the Habu yarns I'd seen at TNNA in around 2006. Also from Japan, the focus was on very fine yarns with unusual fiber composition. and put up on those small cones. There was something very intriguing about it, but Habu was kind of intimidating, and well beyond my vision at the time. 

Ito is similar, but different.    

I think ITO can be a little intimidating too.  Although ITO was founded in 2009, I didn't feel ready for it until much later.

At H+H in 2022, I saw Cecelia Campochiaro. author of the magnificent Sequence Knitting in the Ito booth, and Sandy Barnes, who I had gotten to know through Shibui Yarns. So I stopped to fan girl a bit with Cecilia --she helped me understand about why holding two yarns together was so popular, why it gave the fabric more drape, and why ITO yarn is so fabulous

What makes ITO yarn so special?

Ito yarns are produced in small mills in Japan, where tradition and innovation come together in every cone and skein. What sets ITO to apart is its fearless use of unusual materials and its invitation to knitters to become fabric designers in their own right. These aren’t just yarns—they’re tools for exploration and creativity.

• Unusual materials: ITO is known for its unique blends—think washi paper, two different types of silk, linen, cotton, and even stainless steel. Because they are fine and meant to be combined, you can create fabrics that are light, airy, structured, or fluid—depending on how you pair them and what needle or hook size you use.
• Innovative manufacturing: Ito’s yarns often use special techniques like chenille spinning, carriage spinning, or fine twisting that give each yarn its distinct hand and appearance. These are yarns that feel different because they are different.
• Sustainability: Like most Japanese yarn companies, the mills ITO works with are mindful of water usage, waste, and energy, reflecting a broader Japanese respect for the environment.  Additionally, many of ITO’s yarns are made from recycled materials or are produced using eco-friendly methods.
• Tactile joy: From crisp and papery to soft and cloud-like, Ito yarns are designed to engage your fingers as much as your eyes. Every yarn invites you to touch, swatch, and play.  The yarns change as you work them and more so as you block them. You are putting yourself into the fabric in a very real way.
• A thoughtful color palette: ITO offers both soft, natural melanges and vibrant, modern wearable hues. The palette is designed to layer and blend and work in your wardrobe.

With ITO, you become the fabric designer

One of the things I love most about ITO yarn is that it hands the creative reins to you. As I mentioned, the yarns are fine—intentionally so. They’re designed to be held together, layered, mixed, and matched. Want to add an airy halo? Add a delicate strand of Sensai.  Want subtle texture, work a strand of Kinu along.  Love a little shine? So Asa has a silky sheen that just glows.  

You don’t have to know exactly what you want when you start. In fact, that’s the fun of it! Swatch with different combinations, see how the colors play, feel how the fabric behaves. Ito lets you play with texture and color in a way that few yarn brands do. You get to build the fabric that feels right to you.

What to knit with ITO Yarns

All that freedom can be overwhelming.  Mixing yarns, choosing a gauge, deciding on a pattern. With ITO, I needed a creative talent to say, Here's a sweater I designed in ITO. Consider this.  Similarly, I think it's up to me and the Crazy for Ewe team to curate those designs. We know our customers, and we can choose and promote what we think will work best for us and for you. That's the most fun part of what we do!  

Here are a few of the designs I've personally seen and love and trust will be right for you. Can you knit something different in ITO? Certainly, but if you're not quite ready to take that leap, let us help bridge the gap for you. 

Of course you already know and love Lova

Lova by Britt-Marie Brehmer

Come discover ITO for yourself

If you're curious, come by the shop and see the yarns, the swatches, and more. Or browse our ITO yarn collection online—we’re always happy to help you choose the perfect pairing or plan a project that lets you design your own fabric.

Tell me in the comments what you think about ITO - have you knit with it? Curious?  

Warmly,

Ellen