CATENA SOFT by Lana Gatto is a luxury Italian cotton–merino–alpaca blend yarn with approx. 125m per 50g, designed for soft, airy garments and modern everyday knitwear with a refined, lightweight feel. This DK-weight yarn uses an elegant chainette construction that traps air inside, creating volume and warmth without heaviness.

The structure is smooth and slightly cushioned, producing clean, even stitches with a soft, breathable finish. It creates comfortable, wearable fabric that looks polished and feels effortless on the skin. Perfect for sweaters, cardigans, and versatile pieces you’ll reach for every day.

▣ Product Specifications
• Manufacturer: Lana Gatto, Italy
• Article: CATENA SOFT
• Fiber Content: 40% Cotton, 37% Extrafine Merino Wool, 23% Baby Alpaca
• Yarn Category: DK
• Yardage: approx. 125 m / 137 yd per 50 g (1.76 oz)
• Format: Factory-wound balls (50 grams each)
• Origin: Made in Italy

⌁ Texture & Feel
• Soft, airy, and lightly cushioned
• Smooth surface with gentle volume
• Lightweight but warm
• Breathable and comfortable on skin
• Clean, modern stitch definition

⚑ Why This Yarn Is Special
This yarn stands out because of its chainette construction, which creates a hollow, tube-like structure instead of a traditional twist. This allows the yarn to trap air, making garments feel warmer and more voluminous without adding weight. The blend of cotton, merino, and alpaca gives a perfect balance of softness, structure, and everyday wearability.

✧ Fiber Profile
• Cotton — breathability and structure
• Extrafine merino — softness and elasticity
• Baby alpaca — warmth and airy lightness

➤ IMPORTANT — Yarn Usage
• Designed for single-strand knitting
• Holds shape beautifully without doubling
• Ideal for clean, modern garments
• Works well for both knitting and crochet
• Great for transitional and layering pieces

➤ What This Yarn Does in Your Project
• Creates smooth, even stitches
• Adds soft volume without heaviness
• Produces breathable, wearable fabric
• Gives garments a refined, polished look
• In my sample, I knitted with US size 7 needles using a single strand — fabric came out soft, balanced, and very wearable
• After washing, the yarn relaxed slightly and the structure became even more cohesive and comfortable

This is a perfect “everyday luxury” yarn — easy to work with, quick enough to see progress, and ideal for pieces that combine comfort, style, and long-term wear.

⋔ Recommended Yarn Usage
• Sweaters and pullovers
• Cardigans
• Lightweight winter garments
• Hats and accessories
• Everyday knitwear

➤ Approximate Yarn Usage
• Sweater (M): 400–600 g (8–12 balls)
• Cardigan: 450–650 g (9–13 balls)
• Hat: 50–100 g (1–2 balls)
• Scarf: 150–300 g (3–6 balls)
• Accessories: 50–200 g

➤ Recommended Pairings From iDOKNiT
• Fine merino — adds structure
• Cashmere — increases softness
• Mohair — adds halo if desired
• Smooth yarns — create subtle texture contrast

✦ Recommended Needles / Hooks
• Knitting: 4.0–4.5 mm (US 6–7)
• Crochet: 4.5–5.0 mm
• Adjust depending on desired density

⫯ Weaving Suitability
• Suitable as weft for soft, lightweight fabrics
• Adds volume without bulk
• Best paired with stable warp yarn

⟳ Care Instructions
• Hand wash cold (max 30°C / 86°F)
• Use mild detergent
• Do not wring or twist
• Lay flat to dry away from heat