What Makes Rauma Vams Yarn Great?

Rauma’s cozy heavy-worsted/Aran. Lofty, fast to knit, and tough enough for real-life wear.

Quick Specs (at a glance)

• Fibre: 100% Norwegian wool
• Weight: Heavy Worsted / Aran
• Ball / Length: 50 g ≈ 83 m (≈90 yds)
• Gauge: 14–16 sts = 10 cm on 5–6 mm needles
• Construction/Handle: 2-ply, carded, lightly spun (airy loft)
• Finish: Non-superwash
• Care: Hand-wash, dry flat
• Origin: Veblungsnes, Romsdalen, Norway (spun & dyed at Rauma Ullvarefabrikk)

Why it stands out

• Big warmth, light feel. The lightly-spun, carded build traps air, so pieces feel lofty rather than dense. Perfect for UK winters.
• Colourwork & steeking confidence. Vams has that classic Nordic “tooth” that keeps stranded stitches tidy and steek cuts secure.
• Felts beautifully when you want it. Ideal for slippers, bags and sturdy accessories; handle garments cool and gently if you want to keep the loft.
• All-Norwegian supply chain. Wool is sourced in Norway and the yarn is washed, carded, spun, dyed and skeined at Rauma’s mill.

Origin & ethics

Rauma Ullvarefabrikk has produced Norwegian wool yarns since 1927 in Veblungsnes, Romsdalen. Supporting local farms and skills with end-to-end production on site. Vams is made entirely in Norway from Norwegian wool, a fibre valued for resilience, elasticity and long wear.

(For durability, some stockists note Vams uses adult fleeces, helping reduce pilling while keeping that airy hand.)

Feel & performance (plain-English scales)

• Softness: ▣▣▣□□ — honest “real wool”; softens after wash/wear
• Elasticity/Bounce: ▣▣▣▣□ — lively; holds rib and shape
• Drape: ▣▣▣□□ — structured, not slinky
• Halo/Sheen: ▣▣▣▣□ — gentle bloom that unifies colourwork
• Warmth (for weight): ▣▣▣▣▣ — serious warmth without heavy fabric
• Stitch definition: ▣▣▣▣□ — crisp stranded motifs; tidy texture
• Pilling resistance: ▣▣▣▣□ — robust Norwegian fibres wear well 

Best uses & pattern ideas

• Hearty jumpers & cardigans with traditional motifs
• Hats, mittens, cowls & scarves that need real warmth
• Quick blankets & outer layers (lofty, fast gauge)
• Felting projects like slippers, bags and seat pads

How it’s made (sheep → skein)

Fleece is sorted and scoured, then carded and spun with a light twist into a 2-ply that balances strength with loft. The yarn is washed, dyed and skeined at Rauma’s Veblungsnes mill. This Keeps transport low and quality tight.

Care & longevity

Hand-wash cool with wool soap, squeeze in a towel, dry flat. Expect a gentle bloom and softening after the first bath. As a non-superwash wool, Vams will felt with heat/agitation. For garments you want to keep airy, wash cool and handle gently.

Substitution guide

• Versus Rauma 3-Tråds (DK): Choose Vams when you want thicker, warmer, faster knits. Pick 3-Tråds for trimmer fabrics and finer detail.
• Versus Ístex Léttlopi (heavy-worsted/Aran): Léttlopi (Icelandic) is loftier with more halo. Vams feels a touch sturdier and more matte.
• Versus Ístex Álafosslopi (bulky): Álafosslopi is thicker/warmer for true outerwear heft. Vams sits a step lighter and is easier to wear indoors.

Colour palette & dye lots

A broad palette. 70+ colours across naturals, heathers and brights. Made for playful stranded yokes and bold textures. As with all heathers, allow for dye-lot variation and buy enough for your project at the start.

FAQs

Is Rauma Vams soft enough for next-to-skin?

It’s a classic, slightly rustic Aran that softens after washing and wear. If you’re very sensitive, layer over cotton or wool-silk.

Is Rauma Vams good for steeking and colourwork?

Yes. The fibre “tooth” and lightly-spun construction keep strands grippy and motifs crisp.

Does Rauma Vams felt?

Yes. Readily with heat and agitation. Perfect for slippers and bags; keep garment washes cool and gentle if you want to preserve loft.