Tweed Yarns and 30 Tweed Projects to Knit and Crochet

Tweed fabric is normally made from wool yarn. It’s a warm wool cloth, usually with a main color and flecks of other colors. Tweed yarns mimic the colors of the cloth.

How is it made? The fibers are dyed after the washing process and before spinning. The spinners blend several colors together, then card them to mix all the shades together before spinning.

Donegal tweed is the name of the yarn that has rainbow flecks and a slightly nobby surface. It was first produced in Donegal, Ireland.

Traditionally, tweed was produced in muted and natural shades and only in wool. But more recently, these wonderful tweed yarns have become much brighter and more colorful and include a greater variety of fibers.

Tweed Yarns from Yarnspirations, KnitPicks, Rowan, and More…

You could easily use a tweed yarn of the same weight instead of a regular yarn for a unique look for your project. Click on the links below to check out more options.

• Bernat Premium Tweeds Yarn – 97% Acrylic, 3% viscose
• Caron Simply Soft Tweeds Yarn – 97% Acrylic, 3% viscose
• KnitPicks Wool of the Andes Tweed Worsted – 80% Peruvian Highland Wool, 20% Donegal Tweed
• Plymouth Encore Tweed – 75% Acrylic, 22% Wool, 3% Rayon
• Rowan Felted Tweed – 50% Merino Wool, 25% Alpaca, 25% Viscose/Rayon
• Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok Tweed Aran – 85% Fine Highland Wool / 15% Donegal
• Scheepjes Terrazzo DK – 70% Recycled Mulesing Free Wool x 30% Recycled Viscose
• Rowan Fine Tweed Haze DK – 37% Alpaca, 37% Wool, 13% Polyamide, 9% Cotton, 4% Polyester
• High Desert Tweed – 89% American Wool, 6% Acrylic, 5% Rayon
• KnitPicks Woodland Tweed – 80% Merino, 15% Baby Alpaca, 5% Viscose
• KnitPicks Brava Tweed – 97% Premium Acrylic, 3% Viscose
• KnitPicks Provincial Tweed – 80% Fine Superwash Highland Wool, 20% Donegal Tweed (made of 70% acrylic, 30% viscose)
• KnitPicks Stroll Tweed – 65% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon, 10% Donegal Tweed (made of 70% Acrylic, 30% Viscose)

Sweater Patterns

Woven tweed fabric is traditionally used for outerwear like jackets, so sweaters are a natural fit for projects with this gorgeous yarn. These patterns mix the old and the new, with the colored flecks adding interest. You’ll find the odd cardigan in this mix, too! And even a vest.

• Chill Time Adult Cardigan
• Chill Time Child Cardigan
• Great Curves Knit Poncho
• Tweed Jacket
• Simple Cable Knit Cardigan
• Stepping Stones Crochet Pullover
• Textured Shifts Knit Sweater
• Hi-Low Crochet Poncho
• Plaid Blanket Crochet Poncho
• Textured Kids Cardigan
• Tweedy Crochet Pullover
• Knit Windowpane Cardigan
• Going Coastal Vest
• Aurora Lace Crochet Cardigan (paid for pattern but it is a Best Seller)

Accessories To Knit And Crochet

Scarves and socks continue this rugged outerwear trend. You won’t miss any fun with these cozy items on your feet and around your neck. There’s a beautiful knit cabled wrap for your shoulders. I guess you could call it a long, straight shawl…

• Twist n Shout Crochet Cowl
• Knit Cozy Cowl
• Two by Two Knit Scarf
• Mosaic Stitch Crochet Scarf
• Knit Cabled Wrap
• Cozy Knit Cabin Socks
• Slouchy Socks
• Basic Chunky Slippers
• Take a Look Fingerless Mitts Pattern (get a matching hat pattern from Marly store)
• Pelargonium Shawl (paid for pattern but uses beautiful tweed yarn)
• Giovanni Tweed Crochet Hat

Tweed Home Decor

Let’s finish this extravaganza by adding these cozy home decor items, such as throws and baskets. The muted shades fit in with any style and are instant classics. We have blankets and pillows galore to keep you cozy as you craft.

• Crochet Moss Stitch Blanket
• Cable Edged Knit Blanket
• Crochet C2C Nordic Motif Blanket
• Fair Isle Knit Pillow
• Stash Basket
• Argyle Plaid Crochet Pillow
• Crochet Round Basket
• Argyle Texture Knit Blanket
• Building Blocks Knit Blanket
• Scamper Knit Stocking (ad free pdf available + online course)
• Love Light Gleams Knit Stocking (ad free pdf available too)

You May Also Like

• One Ball Crochet Shawl
• How to Crochet Pocket Shawls + 9 Pocket Shawl Patterns
• 74 Free Happy at Home Patterns to Crochet and Knit
• 14 Seed Stitch Patterns: Texture in Both Knitting and Crochet
• What Is Colorwork?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is tweed yarn?

Tweed yarn is yarn that contains flecks or specks of contrasting colored fiber mixed in with the main color… creating that classic heathered, textured look you see in traditional Irish and British tweed fabric. The effect can be subtle (just a hint of color variation) or quite pronounced with visible bits of contrasting fiber. It gives a warm, earthy, artisanal quality to finished projects that plain yarns can’t quite replicate. It’s absolutely gorgeous in classic knitwear.

What projects look best in tweed yarn?

Classic knitwear is where tweed yarn really shines! Cardigans, sweaters, vests, and coats in tweed yarn have that timeless, heritage quality that never goes out of style. Accessories like hats, scarves, and mittens also look wonderful in tweed. For crochet, tweed yarn works beautifully in textural stitch patterns like moss stitch or seed stitch where the flecks add to the overall texture. Tweed is less ideal for very fine stitch patterns where the specks can obscure the detail work.

Is tweed yarn scratchy?

It depends on the fiber content! Traditional wool tweed can be a bit rustic… wonderful for outerwear and structured pieces but sometimes irritating next to bare skin for sensitive people. Many modern tweed yarns blend wool with softer fibers (merino, alpaca, nylon) to balance the traditional look with modern wearability. If you’re making something worn next to the skin, look specifically for soft merino-based tweeds. If it’s for an outer layer… a more rustic tweed is totally appropriate.

Can I substitute tweed yarn for plain yarn in any pattern?

Usually yes, as long as you match the weight and gauge. The main consideration is how the tweed texture interacts with the stitch pattern. Highly textured stitches (cables, bobbles, intricate lace) can get visually “busy” with tweed because the yarn texture competes with the stitch texture. Simple, clean stitches (stockinette, garter, basic mesh) let the tweed shine. For colorwork, the flecks can soften the color contrast… so check that your colorwork motifs still read clearly before committing to a full project.

What’s the difference between tweed yarn and heather yarn?

Both create a mottled, multi-toned effect, but through different means! Heather yarn is made by blending different colored fibers together before spinning… the result is an even, integrated multi-toned color throughout the yarn. Tweed yarn has distinct visible flecks of contrasting fiber added to the yarn… you can actually see the little bits of color as separate elements. Heather is subtler and more blended. Tweed has more character and texture. Both are beautiful… it just depends on the look you’re going for.