DOMUS SILK is a distinctive Italian yarn manufactured by RiGo in Italy, created from a refined blend of cotton and silk in a beautiful chain-cable / chainette construction. Although it contains 40% silk, this yarn does not behave like a soft, drapey silk blend. Its character is more structured, springy, and shape-retaining, with a clearly cotton-forward feel.

Because of its chainette construction, DOMUS SILK behaves differently from a standard spun yarn. The hollow, braided structure gives the yarn a dimensional, textured look, but it needs enough room to open properly. When knitted too tightly, the fabric can feel dense and compact. Larger needles allow the chainette structure to open up and show more of its texture, elasticity, and true character.

This yarn is best suited for projects where structure, texture, and shape retention are more important than extreme softness or fluid drape. It would be especially interesting for textured sweaters, structured tops, cardigans, jackets, and Brunello Cucinelli-inspired knitwear with a dimensional, architectural feel.

▣ Product Specifications
• Manufacturer: RiGo, Italy
• Article: DOMUS SILK
• Fiber Content: 60% Cotton, 40% Silk
• Yarn Category: Chunky/Arana, Chain-Cable (Chainette)
• Yarn Count: 1300
• Yardage: approx. 130 m / 142 yd per 100 g (3.52 oz)
• Formats: Balls (BY DEFAULT) or Cones (PLEASE PURCHASE)
• Origin: Made in Italy

⚑ Why This Yarn Is Special
DOMUS SILK offers a beautiful balance of structure, elasticity, and texture. The cotton gives the yarn body, breathability, and a more practical everyday character, while the silk adds elegance and a refined finish. The chainette construction is what makes this yarn especially interesting: it creates a fabric that feels springy, shape-holding, and more expressive than many standard cotton-silk yarns. Its cotton-silk chainette structure makes it especially suitable for refined summer knitwear with airy texture, elasticity, and excellent shape retention — a beautiful direction for Brunello Cucinelli-inspired pieces.

Its resilient structure makes it especially attractive for knitters who want a yarn that keeps form well and shows off the beauty of the chain. It is an excellent choice for projects where stitch texture, elasticity, and shape retention matter more than extreme softness.

⌁ Texture & Feel
• Light and springy
• Clearly cotton-forward in the hand
• Not itchy, but not super-soft
• Structured rather than silky-soft
• Elastic and resilient because of the chainette construction
• Develops a beautiful halo after washing
• Holds shape very well in finished fabric

✧ Fiber Profile — Cotton & Silk Chainette
This blend combines two fibers with very different strengths.

Cotton adds:
• Structure and body
• Breathability
• Everyday practicality
• Better shape retention

Silk adds:
• Elegance
• Light refinement
• A more polished finish
• Subtle luxury

Together with the chainette construction, they create a yarn that feels lively, elastic, and dimensional, while still remaining breathable and wearable.

➤ IMPORTANT — Yarn Usage
• This yarn performs best when given room to open up
• Smaller needles can make the fabric look more compact and less expressive
• Larger needles help reveal the beauty of the chainette structure
• A very good choice for knitwear that should keep its shape
• Best suited for projects where elasticity, texture, and structure are more important than softness alone

⋔ Recommended Yarn Usage
• Textured sweaters and pullovers: approx. 350–500 g
• Cardigans and jackets: approx. 400–550 g
• Tops and structured layering pieces: approx. 250–400 g
• Hats, scarves, and accessories: approx. 100–200 g

➤ Sample & Needle Recommendation

My sample was knitted on US size 4 needles. After washing, the yarn retained its structure - did not open very widely, and, unlike many silk yarns, did not become overly soft. It is an excellent shape keeper.

I believe this yarn will perform best on larger needles, where the chainette construction can fully open up and showcase its unique texture, lightness, and character.

I would recommend starting with at least:
• US 6 / 4.0 mm
or possibly even
• US 8 / 5.0 mm

Larger needles allow the yarn to breathe more, highlight the chain construction better, and create a fabric that shows more of its natural elasticity and texture.

My impression of the knitted sample:
• The fabric is not super-soft
• You can definitely feel the cotton in it
• It is not itchy at all, but it is also not soft-soft
• It feels more structured, springy, and shape-holding than soft and drapey
• After washing, the yarn developed a beautiful halo
• The fabric stayed elastic, resilient, and held its shape very well

This makes DOMUS SILK especially appealing for projects where you want the finished piece to remain structured, springy, and shape-retaining.

➤ Recommended Pairings From iDOKNiT
DOMUS SILK is beautiful on its own, but it can also pair well with other yarns depending on the effect you want.

Fine Silk Yarns
Enhance elegance and fluidity while preserving the refined character.

Mohair on Silk
Adds halo and softness for a more atmospheric, luxurious surface.

Fine Cotton or Linen
Creates a fresher summer fabric with more texture and breathability.

Fine Merino
Adds softness and body for transitional garments with a more balanced structure.

These combinations make DOMUS SILK especially interesting for makers who enjoy building fabrics with texture, elasticity, and shape.

➤ Recommended Needles / Hooks
• I would recommend starting around US 6 / 4.0 mm
• For a more open, expressive fabric, test up to US 8 / 5.0 mm
• Swatching is essential to see how much the chainette opens
• Choose the final needle size based on how much structure or openness you want

➤ Weaving Suitability
• Better suited to knitting and crochet than to traditional weaving
• Most attractive when the chainette structure can stay visible and springy
• Best for fabrics where elasticity and shape are important

⟳ Care Instructions
• Hand wash gently in cool water with mild detergent
• Do not wring or twist
• Lay flat to dry
• Wash your swatch before final sizing calculations
• Expect the yarn to bloom and develop a soft halo after washing