I love linen! Some linens are better than others though. If the yarn is 100% linen I would wash and dry the garment with your regular laundry a number of times. This should soften it up quite a bit. You might want to try yarns that are blends. If they have a bit of wool in them it will give them more structure. 


This blog may help:
Knitting With Linen and Hemp

https://www.oliveknits.com/knitting-with-linen-and-hemp/


Here is a list of some of my favorite non-wool and wool blend yarns.

  • Manos Del Uruguay Milo - 65% Merino, 35% Linen; 
  • Geilsk Wool Cotton - 55% Wool, 45% Cotton; 
  • Purl SoHo Cattail Silk - 100% Silk; 
  • Malabrigo Susurro - 50% Mulbury Silk, 25% Merino Wool, 25% Linen; 
  • Shibui Twig - 46% Linen, 42% Recycled Silk, 12% Wool (I love all Shibui yarns, they have quite a few blends with other fibers); 
  • BC Garn Tussah Tweed - 100% Tussahsilke; 
  • Berroco Summer Silk - 45% Silk, 43% Cotton, 12% Nylon (look up Berroco - Liana, Farro, Cambria and Mantra Stonewash as well); 
  • Kelbourne Woolens Mojave - 60% Cotton, 40% Linen. 


I hope you can find a new favorite in this list.