Italian spinner of woollen and worsted spun luxury knitwear yarns Cariaggi is launching a new range of linen-cashmere yarns called Linum at this week's Pitti Filati. The new linen-cashmere line is the result of an original project developed by the company and is being presented for the first time at the event in Florence.

The prestigious yarn manufacturer based in the Marche region of Italy specialises in cashmere, vicuña and superfine wools and will be showing its creativity and innovation in the form of its Cariaggi Fine Yarns Collection.

Linum

The most important new item in the collection Linum, is a 90% linen and 10% cashmere yarn, part of Cariaggi's Blend project, which has put unique yarns obtained by mixing two natural but different fibres on the market. For Linum, Cariaggi has carefully selected the linen fibres that are most suitable for combining with the finest and most prestigious cashmere.

"The linen - that comes from the Seine-Maritime region in Normandy, where the best linen fibre in the world is produced thanks to the ideal terrain, favourable climate and expert flax growers -  is selected by hand by experts in order to identify the fibres with the best qualities in terms of uniformity, gauge, length, toughness and colour," Cariaggi said today before setting out its collections at Pitti Filati.

The linen chosen is certified by the Masters of Linen collective mark, which uses special checks to award certification exclusively to the best manufactured items that are produced, spun and woven in Europe.

The special linen processing techniques that have been specifically developed for the Linum project are said to have softened the linen fibres so that they can be combined with one of the most delicate fibres, cashmere. This process is said to balance the two fibres perfectly, creating a linen-cashmere yarn that is extraordinarily light, cool and natural.

Themes

As far as the mood of the collection is concerned, Cariaggi's Spring/Summer 2013 features two main themes: the Incredible Lightness of Being and Earth and Colours. "Once again inspiration is taken from nature and its perfect moods," Cariaggi said, continuing:

"These prestigious yarns contain reflections of light and its many effects: light from above, from the sky that reflects in the leaves and between the branches of trees; and the light that rebounds off the earth, creating fuller and stronger shades."

"The Incredible Lightness of Being is inspired by walks through the woods: peaceful, cool but also stimulating. You can see the light that reflects through the branches and leaves, and you can feel the coolness and lightness of a walk in the shade of these majestic plants. The main colour scheme is based on a light and subtle colour palette of pale green and bright pastel yellow. The dominant theme features different palettes for each yarn, bringing out the characteristics of each one: luxury yarns for free time and sport, more solid effects with the blended yarns."

  "The second theme is a celebration of earth and the richness of its colours. It is entirely inspired by natural pigments and their intensity, giving a strong sense of roots, dexterity and the wonders of Mother Nature."

"Earth and Colours is a powerful theme that includes shaded colour palettes, from full colours to lighter and more ephemeral shades: a visit to the clay fields of southern Europe with their natural ochre pigments that range from browns and reds to yellows."

"Deep Siena and Madeira brown, with an unusual touch of mustard yellow. In this case too stories and groups of yarns have been created that are based on different uses, from the free time of an inspired artist to casual wear with a new African touch."