The mYak story begins with two Italian travelers who met while pursuing their individual dreams among the people of Tibet. Andrea, a veterinarian looking to make a more ethical imprint on his profession, and Paola, a student of Chinese language and culture who fell in love with Tibet during her many years of living and traveling there. Together they shared the life and habits of the nomadic herders, working on the Tibetan Plateau with farmers and nomads, teachers and children, in an effort to improve their conditions through better healthcare and education, income generation, and social entrepreneurship, all while striving to preserve their culture. The immense vistas speckled with herds and baby yaks were breathtaking and when they cared for the animals, they discovered how incredibly soft their undercoat is.
Here is where the idea for mYak was born. They decided that they must share this special fiber with those who are most passionate about prestigious yarns and textiles, so that this world on the plateau could continue to thrive and sustain itself. To achieve their goal in a fair and ethical manner, with care for both the herds and the herders
Andrea and Paola created a cooperative with local nomadic communities herding yak and Tibetan cashmere goats. Through their work, mYak aims to give this thousands-of-years-old nomadic lifestyle an opportunity to thrive and prosper in uncertain modern times. Together they agreed upon a sustainable production chain, fully respectful of the traditions of the land, of its people, and of the animals from which the raw material is collected. mYak yarn is born in Tibet and handcrafted in Italy, in the Biellese area, a region renowned for excellence in the textile industry.
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mYak's Fior di Lino is a captivating yarn that seamlessly combines the spirit of Italian Linen, the delicate softness of Tibetan Baby Yak, and the luxurious depth of Tibetan Cloud wool. Prepare to dive into the lush beauty of Italy's countryside, the serene expanses of the Tibetan Plateau, and the timeless elegance of the natural world.
Colorways titled: Glacier, Fox, Tuscan Fields, Mountain Mist, and Watermelon Sorbet are part of mYak's special collaboration with designer Isabell Kraemer.
Kraemer says, "When Paola first told me about this latest yarn, I was really excited. A blend of Tibetan Cloud, Baby Yak and a bit of linen on top sounded perfect. And my expectations were more than fulfilled! Fior di Lino is a joy to knit with and produces a wonderfully soft yet beautifully supple fabric. The stitch definition and the drape are absolutely amazing. Perfect for sweaters and accessories. Knowing how important fair and safe working conditions are to mYak, along with their great love and respect for the environment, makes Fior di Lino a yarn I can recommend with all my knitter’s heart…. and I feel really honoured that mYak invited me to contribute to the colour palette of this beautiful yarn!”
Alongside their dedication to helping sustain the traditional way of life of the Tibetan nomads, co-founders Paola and Andrea, also craft all of their yarn bases in mills that emphasize fair labor practices, safe working environments, and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
The hardy sheep that bring us this remarkable wool roam freely on the grassland of the Tibetan Plateau at an altitude of over 4000 mt. Through their work, mYak aims is to give this thousands-of-years-old nomadic lifestyle an opportunity to thrive and prosper in uncertain modern times.
Out of deep respect for animal welfare, nomads shear the sheep by hand in the traditional way that has been used for centuries – collecting the fiber following the natural life rhythms of the animals and the people who raise them. Tibetan sheep are a very strong breed that have adapted to the rough environmental conditions of the Himalayan plateau.
The herd that produces fiber for mYak Tibetan Cloud comes from a poorer area of Tibet, intentionally chosen to bring a better income to these communities. mYak aims to give this thousand of years old nomadic lifestyle an opportunity to thrive and prosper in uncertain modern times. The fiber is spun and dyed in Biella, at the foothills of the Italian Alps, the cradle of most ancient and prestigious Italian textile excellence.
mYak takes great pride in sourcing the finest, softest fibers to bring you a truly unique knitting experience. Harvested by hand from the undercoat of baby yaks during the natural molting season, this yarn is both cruelty-free and environmentally responsible. The fiber is then spun in Italy using low-impact processes that honor the purity of the raw material.
The resulting fabric is unlike any other – an indulgent treat for the senses – boasting unparalleled softness, with a similar micron count to cashmere. The color palette for Baby Yak Medium is a stunning combination of soft, heathered earth tones and dark neutrals, accented by vibrant hues. Because most yaks are naturally of a darker shade, lighter colors are incredibly rare and highly coveted, making this product truly one-of-a-kind.
mYak yarns build a bridge between ancient traditions and conscious craftsmanship. Knit with purpose, knowing your creations carry the warmth of the Tibetan people and the spirit of sustainability.
Experience the luxurious softness of mYak's Baby Camel, sustainably sourced from the arid land of northeastern Tibet. Perfect for those who appreciate premium quality and eco-friendly materials.
The camels are tended by members of the Tibetan community, offering a unique blend of Tibetan and Mongolian cultures. They even speak Amdo, one of the three main Tibetan dialects, and live in yurts, the traditional Mongolian home. The Bactrian Camel is a magnificent creature that can adapt well to even the harshest weather conditions. It is commonly used to transport personal items during transhumance and provides an abundance of high-quality milk and luxurious fiber. A unique and culturally rich product, any project will have a touch of both worlds with mYak's Baby Camel.
According to a given season's yak down color, mYak obtains three natural shades (chocolate, desert and oatmeal) which are then dyed, resulting in a palette of rich, soft colors evocative of the five elements of nature. Most yaks produce deep shades of fiber, therefore light colors are very rare and even more precious.
No bleaching or decoloring is done prior to dyeing, therefore each color will vary from season to season depending on the shade of the natural fibers. At times, the resulting shades will be darker and other times they will be lighter. There fore the shades represented online may not exactly match what we have in stock. We recommending purchasing enough to complete your project.
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