How many Armsoft balls do I need for a women’s size M sweater?

For a women’s size M long-sleeved sweater, you will need on average 5-6 balls of 50g Armsoft (750-900 metres in total). The exact quantity depends on the chosen design: a fitted pullover will require 5 balls, while an oversized or high-neck style may need 6-7 balls. Thanks to the yield of 150m per ball and the lightness of blown yarn, consumption is lower than with traditional yarns of similar composition. We always recommend checking the gauge swatch indicated in the tutorial or pattern you are following and buying all the balls from the same dye lot shown on Tessiland to ensure perfect colour consistency in the printed speckles.

Is Armsoft suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes, Armsoft is especially suitable for sensitive skin thanks to its Baby Alpaca (65%) content, a naturally lanolin-free fibre that is gentler than standard wool. Baby Alpaca has a smooth, silky structure that reduces friction on the skin, while the air-spun technique makes the yarn even softer and fluffier to the touch. Merino Wool (7%) is also a fine and delicate fibre. However, the presence of polyamide (28%) should be considered: if you have specific sensitivities to synthetic fibres, we suggest testing the yarn on a small area of skin before making a garment worn directly against the body. In general, Armsoft is also appreciated by those who usually find traditional wool too rough.

How can I make sure the balls have the same colour?

Tessiland is the only Italian e-commerce store that shows the lot/dye batch number directly on the product page. For Armsoft, with its coloured speckled printed effect, this transparency is essential: different dye baths may show slight tonal differences in the speckles. When purchasing, check the listed batch number and buy all the balls you need from the same batch in one session. If you realise during your project that you need extra balls and the original batch is sold out, contact Tessiland customer service (real people, not bots): they may be able to check for balls from the same batch still in stock or suggest strategies to minimise visible differences, such as alternating balls from different batches.

What does it mean that the yarn is air blown?

Air spinning (air-blown spinning) is an advanced Made in Italy technology that introduces compressed air during the spinning process. This creates a highly voluminous and fluffy structure without increasing weight: the air trapped between the fibres forms micro-spaces that act as a natural thermal insulator. The main advantage is that with traditional techniques, 30-35% more premium fibre would be needed to achieve the same volume, making the garment significantly heavier. With Armsoft, you get maximum lightness, silky softness and excellent warmth while using fewer balls than standard yarns of the same composition. This technique enhances premium fibres such as Baby Alpaca while reducing waste and costs.

Can I machine wash Armsoft?

Hand washing is always recommended to best preserve the qualities of Baby Alpaca and the blown structure. However, if necessary, you can use a washing machine with strict precautions: select the wool/delicates cold programme (max 30°C), use a protective laundry bag for delicate garments, add very little wool detergent without fabric softener, and disable the spin cycle or set it to the minimum (max 400 rpm). Keep in mind that repeated machine washing, even on a delicate cycle, may gradually reduce the fluffy character of blown yarn and encourage pilling over time. After washing, remove excess water with a towel and always dry flat away from heat sources.

Is Armsoft as warm as pure wool yarn?

Armsoft is warmer than many traditional pure wool yarns thanks to the combination of Baby Alpaca and blown spinning technology. Baby Alpaca has better temperature-regulating properties than standard wool: its hollow fibres trap body heat more efficiently. Air spinning enhances this effect by creating tiny air pockets that act as a natural thermal barrier. The result is a yarn that offers excellent thermal insulation with minimal weight: a garment made with Armsoft can feel as warm as one made with traditional wool while being noticeably lighter and more comfortable to wear. The polyamide (28%) does not reduce warmth but adds durability, making the yarn ideal for frequently worn winter garments.

What is the difference between Baby Alpaca and regular wool?

Baby Alpaca is the finest fibre obtained from the alpaca’s first fleece, with qualities that surpass traditional sheep’s wool. The main differences are: greater fineness (thinner fibres, around 18-22 microns versus 25-35 for standard wool), silky softness without the rough feel typical of wool, absence of lanolin (making it gentler on sensitive skin and less allergenic), superior thermal insulation thanks to the hollow fibre structure that retains heat better, lightness at the same volume, and a natural sheen that gives garments a more refined look. Baby Alpaca is also more resistant to wear and tends to pill less than standard wool. In Armsoft, the 65% Baby Alpaca content ensures all these premium qualities.

How can I prevent pilling on Armsoft?

Pilling is a natural occurrence in yarns containing short natural fibres such as Baby Alpaca and Merino, caused by friction during wear. To minimise it: wash gently (preferably by hand and never rub vigorously), avoid aggressive spinning, alternate garment use instead of wearing the same piece for several consecutive days (fibres need time to recover elasticity), reduce friction from bags, belts and rough surfaces, and store garments properly folded in dry places. If surface pills appear, remove them gently with an electric fabric shaver or textile pumice stone, never by pulling them off by hand. Keep in mind that slight pilling in the first weeks is normal with premium fibres: after the first removals, the phenomenon usually stabilises significantly.

Can I use Armsoft for spring projects or only winter ones?

Thanks to the temperature-regulating properties of Baby Alpaca, Armsoft is surprisingly versatile and not limited to winter. Baby Alpaca naturally regulates body temperature, providing warmth when needed while still allowing breathability. For spring projects, you can make lightweight layering cardigans, shawls for cool evenings, airy shoulder covers and short-sleeved or sleeveless tops. The lightness of blown yarn is especially appreciated in transitional seasons: you get volume and visual presence without the heavy feel of traditional winter yarns. Use larger needles (7-8) and openwork stitches to maximise airiness. It is less suitable for peak summer, but for spring-autumn and summer evenings, Armsoft offers ideal thermal comfort.

Is Armsoft colourfast or does it bleed when washed?

Armsoft benefits from professional Italian-quality dyeing that ensures good colour fastness. However, as with all natural-fibre yarns, especially in dark and intense shades, a slight release of colour during the first 1-2 washes is normal. To preserve the brightness of the printed speckles: wash the garment separately the first time, always use cold or lukewarm water (max 30°C), add a spoonful of white vinegar to the final rinse to help set the colour, avoid direct sunlight during drying, and wash dark garments inside out. After the first washes, colour stability improves. If you notice excessive colour bleeding, contact Tessiland customer support: it may be a batch issue that should be reported.

Can I combine Armsoft with other yarns for creative projects?

Yes, Armsoft works beautifully in creative combinations thanks to its versatility. You can pair it held double with finer yarns to create custom mixed textures, alternate it in stripes with yarns of a similar weight (needles 6-8) for colour play, or use it in intarsia and jacquard projects where its fluffy structure creates visual dimension. Keep in mind that Armsoft’s blown construction has a specific volume: if you mix it with compact traditional yarns of the same yardage, the result may look uneven. It works best with equally voluminous yarns or with mohair/kid mohair, which have a similar lightness. To keep washing requirements consistent, pair it only with yarns that have compatible care needs (gentle hand wash or wool cycle). Always make a swatch before starting the full project.

Where is Armsoft made and what quality controls does it undergo?

Armsoft is 100% Made in Italy: the spinning takes place in Italian mills specialised in advanced air-spinning technology. Baby Alpaca comes from Peru, where it is selected for fineness and quality before being exported to Italy. The Italian production process guarantees: tension checks during spinning for yarn consistency, yardage verification to ensure the declared 150m per ball, colour fastness tests on the dye baths, and quality inspections for possible knots or imperfections. Italian manufacturing tradition in the yarn sector ensures consistently high standards. Tessiland selects suppliers that comply with European textile safety regulations. Each batch is identified with a traceable lot number, information that Tessiland shares transparently on the product page.