Quick Specs (at a glance)

1. Fibre: 100% Norwegian wool. A unique mix of white lambswool and grey pelt (pelsull) wool
2. Weight: Aran / Worsted
3. Skein / Length: 100 g ≈ 200 m
4. Gauge: 18 sts × ~24 rows = 10 cm on 4.5–5.0 mm needles
5. Construction/Handle: 2-ply, carded; lightly spun for loft and bounce
6. Finish: Non-superwash. Dyed with GOTS-certified dyes
7. Care: Hand-wash, dry flat
8. Origin: Spun & dyed in Norway (Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk)

Why Hillesvåg Vidde stands out

1. Aran warmth without heaviness. The lightly spun, carded build traps air, so garments feel lofty rather than dense. Ideal for UK winters and cold seasons.
2. Lambswool comfort + pelt-wool strength. The blend of soft lambswool with naturally tough, slightly lustrous pelsull gives a yarn that’s both comfortable and durable.
3. Colourwork confidence at 18 sts. Gentle halo and “tooth” help stranded motifs lock in and steeks behave—great for classic Nordic yokes.
4. Cleaner colour chemistry. Colour range dyed with GOTS-certified dyes (biodegradable, non-toxic), a thoughtful touch we appreciate.

Origin & ethics

Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk is a historic Norwegian mill producing locally from Norwegian wool. Vidde is spun from a unique mix of white lambswool and grey pelt wool, giving a light natural mélange that dyes into deep, nuanced shades. Short Norwegian supply chains support regional farms and skills.

Feel & performance (plain-English scales)

1. Softness: ▣▣▣▣□ — notably soft for an Aran thanks to the lambswool content
2. Elasticity/Bounce: ▣▣▣▣□ — lively; ribs spring back and garments hold shape
3. Drape: ▣▣▣□□ — structured without feeling stiff
4. Halo/Sheen: ▣▣▣▣□ — gentle bloom; subtle depth from the grey pelt fibres
5. Warmth (for weight): ▣▣▣▣▣ — serious warmth with low bulk
6. Stitch definition: ▣▣▣▣□ — crisp stranded motifs; tidy textures
7. Pilling resistance: ▣▣▣▣□ — robust Norwegian fibres wear well in daily use

Best uses & pattern ideas

1. Hearty jumpers & cardigans at ~18 sts/10 cm
2. Hats, mittens, cowls & scarves that need real warmth
3. Blankets & outer-layer pieces (lofty, quick gauge)
4. Felting/fulling-friendly accessories like slippers and bags (if desired)

How Hillesvåg Vidde is made (sheep → skein)

All the Wool is sourced from local farmers.

Fleece is sorted and scoured, then carded and spun into a 2-ply with a relatively light twist to preserve loft and elasticity. The natural grey from pelt fibres creates a soft mélange base. When dyed at Hillesvåg’s mill, colours develop notable depth. Put-up is 100 g / ~200 m, engineered for the sweet-spot 18-st gauge.

Care & longevity

Hand-wash cool with wool wash, press in a towel, dry flat. Expect a gentle bloom and softening after the first bath. As a non-superwash wool, Vidde will felt with heat/agitation—great for intentional fulling; handle garments cool and gently if you want to keep the airy hand.

Substitution guide

1. Versus Hillesvåg Varde (pelsull, Aran): Both knit at ~18 sts. Varde (pure pelt wool) brings extra lustre and a touch more “tooth”; Vidde feels a bit softer thanks to the lambswool.
2. Versus Ístex Léttlopi (heavy-worsted/Aran): Léttlopi (Icelandic) is very lofty with a bigger halo; Vidde reads slightly denser/rounder with classic Norwegian bounce.
3. Versus Rauma Vams (Aran): Vams is similarly airy and tough; Vidde adds the lambswool/pelt mix for a touch more softness and colour depth.

Colour palette & dye lots

Expect a versatile palette of naturals, heathers and brights. The unbleached white aligns with Hillesvåg’s “Luna” whilst matching with Vidde’s base. As with all heathers, allow for dye-lot variation and buy enough at the start.

FAQs

Is Hillesvåg Vidde soft enough for next-to-skin?

Yes. Many knitters find Vidde pleasantly soft for an Aran, thanks to the lambswool content. It softens further after washing. For sensitive skin you can layer a tee underneath.

Good for steeking and colourwork?

Absolutely. The carded spin and gentle halo give the right “grip” for tidy stranded work and confident steeks at 18 sts.

What are the exact specs again?

Typical skein is 100 g / ~200 m, knit to 18 sts × ~24 rows = 10 cm on 4.5–5.0 mm needles (US 7–8). Always swatch to your tension.