The untreated finish retains the tactile character, warmth and gentle resilience of natural wool.
Crucci Greywacke Naturals 4 Ply
Pure New Zealand wool in six timeless natural tones
Crucci Greywacke Naturals 4 Ply brings the warmth, resilience and honest handle of 100% New Zealand wool to a refined fingering-weight yarn. Its six landscape-inspired neutrals move from soft Chalk to deep Ironsand and Brownstone, making it easy to create enduring garments, subtle colourwork and heirloom pieces.
- 100% pure New Zealand wool with authentic natural-fibre character.
- Fine 4 ply weight for lightweight garments, shawls and detailed knitting.
- Approximately 175m per 50g for practical project planning.
- Six coordinated natural shades for tonal colourwork and timeless neutrals.
100% NZ WoolPure New Zealand fibre
Approx. 175mLength per 50g ball
4 PlyFine / fingering weight
3.25mmRecommended needles
Warm, breathable wool that still feels unmistakably like wool
Greywacke is not machine-wash treated. That preserves the traditional handle and natural character sought by knitters who enjoy honest wool, while also making gentle hand washing essential.
Four ply fabric creates lightweight layers while the wool fibre provides useful warmth and breathability.
Six related shades make sophisticated single-colour pieces and beautifully quiet colourwork.
A palette built to work together
From chalky light to stone, sand and deep earth
The Greywacke range is unusually easy to combine. Work one shade for a calm, wearable garment, blend several for subtle stranded colourwork, or use light and dark tones together when stronger contrast is needed.
- Low-contrast pairings create quiet, blended patterning
- Chalk and Ironsand provide the strongest light-dark contrast
- Brownstone adds warmth beside the greyer stone shades
Stone.
Sand.
Earth.
Wool.
Sand.
Earth.
Wool.
Six landscape-inspired neutrals that can carry a whole wardrobe, blanket or colourwork story without fighting one another.
Choose your Crucci Greywacke Naturals colour
Every tile below uses the exact photograph assigned to that live Direct Sewing variant. Use the shade number and name together when selecting.
1585Chalk
1586Sandstone
1587Pebble
1588Riverstone
1589Ironsand
1590Brownstone
Screens and lighting reproduce colour differently. Natural wool can also show subtle fibre variation, and separate dye lots may differ slightly.
Projects where natural texture and subtle colour shine
Light sweaters
Create breathable pullovers, cardigans and layering pieces with natural warmth and refined drape.
Colourwork
Build tonal yokes, motifs and borders from a palette designed to coordinate from light to dark.
Shawls and wraps
Show lace, texture and gradual neutral transitions in warm but lightweight accessories.
Heirloom pieces
Choose it for hand-wash blankets and baby garments where the wearer is comfortable with natural wool.
Texture note: this is authentic untreated wool rather than a superwash yarn. People vary in their sensitivity to wool, so do not assume every wearer will find it suitable against bare skin.
Let the swatch guide the fabric
Fine knitting depends on washed gauge
Crucci's reference tension is 28 stitches and 36 rows per 10cm using 3.25mm needles. Treat that needle size as a starting point, then choose the size that produces your pattern's required hand-washed gauge.
- Swatch in the project's main stitch or colourwork pattern
- Hand wash the swatch using the planned care method
- Dry flat before measuring stitches and rows
- Check both gauge and how the natural wool feels after washing
Substitution check: yarns labelled 4 ply can still vary in thickness and structure. Compare gauge, metreage and fibre behaviour before substituting Greywacke into a pattern.
How many 50g balls will you need?
Find the required metreage
Use the total metres for your exact size, including colourwork quantities and planned modifications.
Divide by 175 metres
Each 50g ball contains approximately 175m. Divide the requirement by 175 and round up.
Add a working allowance
Allow for swatching, joins, finishing and any uncertainty in sizing or pattern changes.
Example: a pattern requiring 820m needs at least five balls because 820 divided by 175 equals 4.69. Add more when the swatch, colour placement or modifications require it.
Crucci Greywacke Naturals 4 Ply details
| Brand | Crucci |
|---|---|
| Range | Greywacke Naturals 4 Ply |
| Yarn weight | 4 ply / fingering weight |
| Fibre | 100% pure New Zealand wool |
| Ball weight | 50g |
| Length | Approximately 175m per ball |
| Recommended needles | 3.25mm, subject to pattern and gauge |
| Reference tension | 28 stitches and 36 rows per 10cm |
| Finish | Not machine-wash treated, retaining an authentic natural wool handle |
| Care | Gentle hand wash only. Dry flat. |
| Colour range | Six coordinated natural shades |
| Suitable for | Light sweaters, cardigans, shawls, wraps, colourwork, accessories, blankets and other fine-gauge knitting or crochet projects |
Preserve the shape, texture and natural finish
Use cool or lukewarm water and a small amount of wool-appropriate detergent.
Press gently through the water. Do not rub, wring or expose the fabric to sudden temperature changes.
Lift the full weight of the garment and press out water gently in a towel.
Return the piece to its intended measurements and dry away from direct heat or strong sunlight.
Important: Greywacke is not machine-wash treated. Machine washing, heat and agitation can shrink or felt natural wool. Follow the ball-band instructions.
Choose the care and handle that suit the project
Greywacke natural wool
Choose this for an authentic wool handle, six coordinated earth tones and projects where hand washing is acceptable.
Machine-wash wool
Choose a superwash or machine-wash yarn when easy laundering is the priority, especially for frequently washed everyday garments.
Crucci Greywacke Naturals 4 Ply FAQs
What is Greywacke Naturals 4 Ply made from?
It is 100% pure New Zealand wool. Crucci does not list a synthetic fibre in the blend.
Is Greywacke machine washable?
No. It has not been machine-wash treated and should be gently hand washed, reshaped and dried flat.
Are the shades undyed?
The range is described as a natural colour palette, but the manufacturer information checked does not expressly state that every shade is undyed. This listing therefore does not make that claim.
Is this yarn made in New Zealand?
The fibre is specified as 100% New Zealand wool. That describes the wool origin, not necessarily every manufacturing step, so the listing does not claim the yarn is spun or made in New Zealand.
Is it suitable for baby garments?
It can be used for patterns written for 4 ply wool, but it requires hand washing and individual sensitivity to natural wool varies. Consider both care needs and the intended wearer's comfort.
Can I use it for colourwork?
Yes. The six coordinated shades are especially useful for tonal stranded motifs and natural neutral combinations. Swatch to check contrast before starting.
Can I crochet with Greywacke 4 Ply?
Yes. Choose a hook that creates the intended density and drape, then hand wash and measure a swatch before beginning the full project.
What needle size should I use?
Crucci recommends 3.25mm needles as a starting point. Follow your pattern and washed gauge swatch for the final choice.
Why might the colour look different on my screen?
Displays and lighting reproduce colour differently. Natural wool and separate dye lots may also show subtle variation. Use the shade number, name and official photograph together.
Choose your Crucci Greywacke Naturals shade
Select one calm neutral or build a tonal palette, then confirm the pattern's metreage and order enough for the complete project so the colour and dye lot remain consistent.
Explore the Colour Card