The gentle halo softens the surface of the fabric and gives even plain stocking stitch a rich, finished look.
Crucci Aella 8 Ply
A soft halo, natural warmth and one beautifully balanced strand
Crucci Aella brings together 30% New Zealand alpaca and 70% Australian merino in a luxurious brushed 8 ply yarn. Alpaca adds cloud-like softness, warmth and drape, while merino gives the fabric elasticity, shape and clear stitch definition.
- Brushed alpaca halo gives simple stitches a soft, elevated finish.
- Merino structure and bounce help garments hold their shape.
- Light, warm DK fabric makes comfortable layers without bulky weight.
- 23 carefully chosen colours span calm neutrals, modern pinks, greens and rich blues.
23 beautiful colours
30% NZ AlpacaSoftness, halo and warmth
70% MerinoAustralian merino wool
100mApproximately per ball
50gDK / New Zealand 8 ply
Luxury fibre character with practical garment structure
Aella balances the airy warmth and elegant bloom of alpaca with the resilience of merino. The result is expressive enough for a special sweater, yet versatile enough for the pieces you will want to wear throughout winter.
Alpaca traps warmth efficiently, while the DK weight keeps finished garments comfortable for layering.
Merino contributes elasticity and definition, so ribbing, cables and textured stitches remain visible beneath the halo.
The one-strand halo effect
A simpler way to create that soft, modern surface
Many contemporary patterns combine a smooth wool with a separate fluffy strand. Aella already blends structure and brushed fibre in one yarn, giving you an elegant halo without managing two separate balls.
- One yarn to carry, tension and colour-match
- Soft bloom without losing all stitch definition
- Excellent for simple shapes and modern layering pieces
Merino structure.
Alpaca softness.
One strand.
Alpaca softness.
One strand.
Always check gauge and total metreage before substituting Aella into a pattern written for two yarns held together.
Choose your Crucci Aella colour
From soft undyed-looking neutrals to berry tones, earthy greens and deep blues, Aella offers colour for both quiet wardrobe staples and statement knits. Every tile uses the exact photograph assigned to the corresponding product variant.
1440Natural
1441Grace
1442Oatmeal
1443Rose
1444Mineral
1445Slate
1446Hunter
1447Prussian
1448Cadet
1449Sienna
1450Pickle
1451Ochre
1452Chocolate
1453Taupe
1456Burgundy
1454Camel
1455Pomegranate
1458Rosewater
1459Cameo Pink
1460Mulberry
1461Stone Blue
1462Blueglass
1463Lapis
Select using both the shade number and name. Crucci's official name for 1462 is Blueglass. Screens and lighting can display yarn colour differently.
Swatch for the fabric you want
A classic DK gauge with a softer surface
Crucci recommends 4mm needles and a reference tension of 21 stitches and 30 rows per 10cm. Because brushed fibres bloom after washing, assess both gauge and fabric character only after your swatch has been gently washed and dried.
- Begin with the pattern's recommended needle size
- Make a generous swatch in the main stitch pattern
- Wash gently using the care method planned for the garment
- Measure and judge the halo only when completely dry
Let the halo do the beautiful work
Sweaters and cardigans
Ideal for warm, lightweight layers where softness, drape and a premium finish matter.
Scarves and shawls
The brushed surface gives simple shapes and uncomplicated stitches a luxurious look.
Beanies and cowls
Small projects are an excellent way to enjoy the warmth and colour of the alpaca merino blend.
Modern texture
Use cables, ribbing and soft geometric texture when you want definition beneath the gentle halo.
Best considered before choosing: the halo can soften very intricate lace or tiny stitch detail. Swatch if sharp definition is central to the design.
How many balls will you need?
Find the required metreage
Use the metreage listed for your exact pattern size, not a general garment estimate.
Divide by 100 metres
Each 50g ball contains approximately 100m. Divide the pattern requirement by 100 and round up.
Add a sensible allowance
Allow for your swatch, length changes and matching tension. Order the full project quantity together where possible.
Example: a pattern requiring 1,050m needs at least eleven balls because 1,050 divided by 100 equals 10.5. Add more if your swatch or modifications require it.
Specifications at a glance
Crucci Aella 8 Ply details
| Brand | Crucci |
|---|---|
| Range | Aella 8 Ply |
| Yarn weight | DK / New Zealand 8 ply |
| Fibre | 30% New Zealand alpaca and 70% Australian merino wool |
| Ball weight | 50g |
| Length | Approximately 100m per ball |
| Recommended needles | 4mm, subject to pattern and gauge |
| Reference tension | 21 stitches and 30 rows per 10cm |
| Finish | Soft brushed halo |
| Care | Gentle hand wash. Follow the ball-band instructions. |
| Suitable for | Sweaters, cardigans, scarves, shawls, beanies, cowls and other DK knitting or crochet projects |
Keep your Aella project soft and beautiful
Use cool water, minimal agitation and a detergent suitable for wool.
Do not lift a saturated garment by one edge. Support its full weight to avoid stretching.
Return the project to its intended measurements and dry flat away from direct heat.
Clean the garment before storage, fold rather than hang, and protect natural fibres from moths.
Important: Aella is specified for gentle hand washing. Do not market or treat it as machine washable.
Which yarn suits your project?
Aella 8 Ply
Choose this yarn for a soft brushed halo, lightweight warmth and classic DK versatility.
Aella 12 Ply
Choose the chunkier Aella when the pattern calls for a thicker yarn and a faster, more substantial fabric.
View Aella 12 PlySoft Pure Wool 8 Ply
Choose smooth pure wool when machine-wash convenience and crisp stitch definition matter more than a brushed halo.
View Soft Pure WoolCrucci Aella 8 Ply FAQs
What is Crucci Aella made from?
Aella is 30% New Zealand alpaca and 70% Australian merino wool. It contains no synthetic fibre according to Crucci's specification.
Is Aella DK or 8 ply?
It is sold as New Zealand 8 ply and belongs to the DK weight family. Always compare gauge and metreage when substituting yarn.
Is Aella machine washable?
No machine-wash claim is made for Aella. Crucci specifies gentle hand washing, and the ball-band instructions should be followed.
Does the yarn have a fluffy halo?
Yes. Aella has a softly brushed surface. The halo becomes part of the finished fabric and may bloom further after gentle washing.
Can I use Aella instead of merino held with mohair?
It may create a similar one-strand halo effect, but it is not an automatic metre-for-metre substitute. Compare the pattern gauge, fibre behaviour and total metreage, then make a washed swatch.
Can I crochet with Aella?
Yes. Choose a hook size that produces the drape your project requires and remember that the brushed halo will soften the appearance of stitches.
What needle size should I use?
Crucci recommends 4mm needles as a starting point. Use the pattern and your washed gauge swatch to determine the final size.
Why might the colour look different on my screen?
Displays and lighting reproduce colour differently. Use the official photograph, shade number and shade name together when selecting.
Choose your Crucci Aella colour
Select a colour, confirm your pattern's metreage and order enough for the complete project so the dye lot and beautiful brushed finish remain consistent.
Explore the Colour Card