Madara is a medium to bulky weight that knits up knits up at a gauge of 15-17 stitches per four inches on US 7-8 (4.5-5.0mm) needles. Heavily twisted, it has a soft, luxurious hand thanks to the addition of silk and alpaca to a wool base. It is available in semi-solids featuring nubby flecks which provide interesting pops of contrasting color throughout this yarn (thus living up to its name - Madara means mottled in Japanese)