Steel Blue Tufting Yarn in 100% New Zealand Wool
Steel Blue is a muted blue with a grey undertone, calm and understated. It suits stormy skies and modern work and pairs cleanly with white, sand, rust and charcoal.
Like every shade in our 52-colour range, Steel Blue is 100% New Zealand wool spun specifically for tufting, so it fills the primary cloth, holds a clean pile and keeps its colour over years of use.
Why tufters choose our New Zealand wool
- 100% New Zealand wool: soft, naturally resilient and rich in colour.
- Spun for tufting at 837/3 tex: the right weight for a 4mm needle, single or double strand, without clogging.
- 600 metres on every 500 g cone: more length to work with on each cone.
- Tightly spun, low shedding: stays clean in the gun for an even pile with minimal fluff.
- Responsible Wool Standard: from RWS-certified farms, for animal welfare and responsible land management.
Why wool for a rug that lasts
A tufted rug is hours of work, and wool is the fibre that makes it last. Its natural crimp springs back from feet and furniture, so the pile keeps its shape for years. Wool is naturally flame-resistant, hard to ignite and self-extinguishing, which is why it is used in contract and aviation carpet. It repels water and everyday spills, stays free of static, and feels warmer and softer underfoot.
Cared for, it lasts a lifetime. Antique wool rugs survive for generations. This is the fibre serious tufters use for the pieces they sell, exhibit, or keep.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Material | 100% New Zealand Sheeps Wool |
| Animal Welfare | Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) |
| Properties | Anti-pilling, Anti-static |
| Compostition | Core spun at 140 TPM |
| Weight | 500 grams approx |
| Length | 600 meters approx |
| Tex | 837/3 |
| Needle Size | 4mm |
| Compatibility | Tufting, Knitting |
| Coned? | Yes, cardboard cone |
Certified to the Responsible Wool Standard 
Our New Zealand wool comes from farms certified to the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS): an independent standard for animal welfare and responsible land management. The sheep are cared for to recognised welfare standards and the land is managed sustainably. Choosing this yarn supports those farming practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It is spun for standard cut-pile and loop-pile tufting machines, including our AK-V and AK-1N Duo guns. At 837/3 tex it runs cleanly through a 4 mm needle, single or double strand, without clogging.
A rough guide, tufted double strand usage.
- 30 x 30 cm: about half a cone (around 225 g)
- 60 x 60 cm: 1.5 to 2 cones (around 700 to 900 g)
- 90 x 90 cm: 3 to 4 cones (around 1.4 to 1.8 kg)
- 120 x 120 cm: 5 to 7 cones (around 2.3 to 3.2 kg)
High pile (20 to 60 mm) uses roughly 2 to 3 times more than low pile (7 to 18 mm). Loop pile uses slightly less than cut pile.
Wool handles moisture well. For spills, spot-clean with cold water and a little mild detergent, then let it air-dry. Do not machine wash and never tumble dry, as heat shrinks wool.
Wool is the fibre that lasts. It is naturally resilient, so the pile springs back instead of crushing flat, and it is naturally flame-resistant. It works on both cut-pile and loop-pile machines and holds its strength and colour over years of use, which is why it is the standard for pieces you sell, exhibit, or keep.
Yes, it holds its colour well with normal use. To keep it that way, spot-clean with cold water rather than hot, and avoid long stretches in direct sunlight, which fades any dyed fibre over time.
