Happy Wednesday, fiber friends! Have you ever wanted to customize your yarn for the next project on your hook or needles? If the answer is yes, this post is for you! Today we’re spotlighting some of our favorite carry-along yarns.
First things first – what exactly makes a yarn a carry-along yarn? Well, the truth is any yarn can be one if you’re holding at least two strands together at once. But more precisely, I would consider a carry-along to be a thread to laceweight yarn with an interesting characteristic that transforms a “base” yarn into something totally new. It could be that the yarn adds a lofty halo, touch of texture, pop of color, or glitz and glam. A “base” yarn is often a stash staple, such as a smooth, solid 4-ply yarn. But that’s not a rule! You can use ANY yarn as a base, and the more playful you get, the more exciting the results.
Today we’re going to talk about some brand new options, as well as some old favorites. From neon and glittery threads to classic silk-mohair, let’s take a look at some of our favorite carry-along yarns based on the characteristic you want to add.
Yarn for a Lofty Halo
One of the most commonly seen carry-along yarns are mohair/silk blends. They’ve been incredibly trendy over the past few years, and we don’t see their popularity slowing down. This blend adds a fluffy halo and the subtlest ethereal sheen. We offer two options: Rico Design Essentials Loves Silk and Essentials Love Silk Print. Loves Silk is great for pairing solids in coordinating colors. Choosing Loves Silk Print will yield interesting results thanks to the slow fade from one color to another. Both of these yarns are a combination of 70% mohair and 30% silk. These luxury yarns are warm and insulating, take dye beautifully, and are durable and hard-wearing.
Although mohair/silk blends are the perfect choice for many fiber artists, there are some who may find their skin is a bit sensitive to the high proportion of mohair. If you love the look and feel of those yarns, but are looking for a mohair-free alternative, we can’t recommend Penna enough! Penna is a blend of 50% baby suri alpaca, 28% extra-fine merino, and 22% nylon that offers a light, fluffy texture, but unlike the Loves Silk line, it has more of a matte finish. When held with other yarns, such as Deluxe Worsted (pictured in the classic Ola sweater, designed by Adrienne Larsen, above), it contributes a feathery halo that’s kitten soft.
Yarn for Glimmer and Glamour
Whether you’re knitting for a wedding, evening out, or just to enjoy a bit of sparkle, we’ve made it easy to make your favorite projects twinkle like stars in the night sky. Let’s take a closer look at a brand new yarn and an irresistible fan favorite.
First, a longtime favorite for jaw-dropping impact: Cotton Gold. Cotton Gold is a laceweight yarn comprised of 65% cotton, 27% payette (sequins), and 8% metallic. If dramatic sparkle is what you’re aiming for, you cannot go wrong with this yarn. We’ve been using this yarn as a carry-along for a long time, and customers are always drawn to it when we attend festivals and shows. It’s softer than you might imagine for a sequinned yarn, and it’s especially pleasant to work with when held together with another yarn. The free Midnight Top, designed by Aubrey Busek, is an outstanding example of the level of glamour this yarn provides. Knit with Cotton Supreme DK (on sale!), it’s a fast and easy top to get you through the end of summer. Preparing for autumn and winter? Try the Glisten Cowl, designed by yours truly. Here, it’s paired with glittering Noelle (also on sale!) for maximum impact. As you can see in both projects, this yarn doesn’t impede the stitch patterns – in fact, we think it enhances them!
Next, a brand new addition: Rico Design Metallic No. 40! This embroidery thread is a blend of 70% polyamide, and 30% polyester available in nine colors. I wouldn’t necessarily suggest knitting or crocheting with this yarn by itself (it’s great for embroidery and hand sewing), but the results are impressive when used as a carry-along. This yarn is excellent for understated shimmer. In the swatch pictured above, I’ve held Uni Merino together with Metallic No. 40 to show how it appears in a superfine yarn with light and dark coordinating colors. I love the subtle marl in the lighter stripes (#107 Conch) and the subdued sparkle in the darker stripes (#138 Black Cherry). Although we don’t have any patterns for this yarn just yet, I can assure you this little swatch will grow up into something beautiful. The best thing about this yarn? The impact on gauge is minimal. I suggest trying it out in your winter sweater pattern!
Yarn for a Pop of Color
To put the icing on the cake, we’ve also introduced a soft, smooth thread in brilliant neon shades to add a zing of vibrant color to your next project. Say hello to Rico Design Creative Make it Neon! This thread is comprised of several loosely spun plies, so it’s soft to the touch and pleasant to work with. Its construction also gives it a touch of bounce that more closely matches yarns such as the new Essentials Merino Plus DK. It is 100% polyester and comes in three lively neon shades: Orange, Pink, and Green. Unlike the carry-alongs where you have the option to coordinate similar shades for new textures or sparkle, Creative Make it Neon is designed to introduce a marled fabric. Keep in mind that the neon could easily be lost if you choose a similar color to your base yarn. Contrast is key for working with this one.
I was so smitten with this yarn that I immediately cast on a new design. In the coming weeks, you’ll get to combine Essentials Merino Plus DK with Creative Make it Neon for a squishy cabled hat. Perfect for welcoming autumn, so stay tuned!
There you have it: five of our favorite carry-along yarns! Remember, any yarn can be a carry-along: just take a look at Pattern 1020 by Rico Design for another example. Get creative and go crazy with color and texture. Consider mixing several of these carry-alongs together in the same project. The options are truly limitless and inspiring. Let us know what you would create with these yarns in the comment section below!
Happy crafting!
-Rachel
