The Simplicity of Self-Striping Yarn

For thousands of years knitters have been using colored yarn to create designs in their projects.

The most simple of these is a stripe.

But who wants to manage multiple yarn colors and weave in a bunch of ends before they’re finished?

Sounds like a knitting nightmare to me.

Surprisingly it’s only within the past few decades that some inventive yarn companies came up with a solution to this problem.

Today we’re going to talk about self-striping yarn, and how it makes colorwork as simple as it can be.

Regia is credited as being one of the first self-striping yarns

What is Self-Striping Yarn?

Self-striping yarns are dyed at specific intervals to create bands of color within the yarn itself.

Often these are sharp changes from one color to another.

This process can be achieved in multiple different ways.

Large manufacturers like Regia have automated industrial processes that apply color to the yarn.

Hand dyers have found their own method for creating the effect.

Either way, the end result is a yarn that creates stripes in the fabric without having to change out yarn colors.

The fabric width effects the size of the stripes (via Knitmuch)

How to Knit With Self-Striping yarn

Most self-striping yarns will have project recommendations, especially if they have been dyed with a project in mind.

The key factor is how quickly does the yarn color change.

Self-striping sock yarns will have shorter color repeats, while yarns meant for sweaters or scarves will have bigger ones.

Often, you can manipulate the size of the stripe depending on the width of the fabric.

Shorter widths will produce a taller stripe, while longer widths will end up with thinner stripes.

There’s also a concept called “planned pooling” which works better with variegated yarns, but can be used with striping yarn too.

What is Self-Striping Yarn Good For?

The most obvious application for self-striping yarn is socks.

Switching colors frequently throughout a sock can be annoying.

Self-striping yarns eliminate all the extra work, making them a breeze to knit with.

They’re also great for scarves, and maybe even some blankets.

One fun trick is to alternate a self striping yarn with a neutral color, like in the Turn a Square hat by Jared Flood.

However, knitting sweaters with self-striping yarn is not recommend.

The stripes with be a different width on the sleeves when compared to the body.

Self-Striping Yarns We Love

There’s a lot of yarns like this out there, and sometimes it can be hard to parse through them all.

So to save you some time, here’s a few of our favorite self-striping yarns you might want to add to your stash:

Ferris Wheel by Lion Brand Yarn

Worsted weight (CYC 4) | 100% Acrylic (270yds / 85g)

This roving yarn has everything a knitter and crocheter could want: it is lightweight, has beautiful self striping color ways with a subtle ombre effect, and is super soft. Each 85 gram cake has a generous 270 yards, enough to make a scarf, or hat and wrister set. Just like a Ferris wheel, you will want to take this yarn around and around for all your favorite projects.
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Brava Stripe by Knit Picks

Worsted weight (CYC 4) | 100% Acrylic (218yds / 100g)

Stripes are made easy with Brava Stripe! Tonal self-striping colorways are combined with our classic, premium acrylic Brava to become an easy-care yarn that stripes up with no extra work. The extra-long color sections create full stripes on a variety of project sizes up to 90 inches wide when knit in the suggested gauge, and each stripe is a semi-solid color to add depth and complexity. Brava Stripe is perfect for hats, scarves, blankets, boxy sweaters, and more!
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Arne & Carlos Sock Collection by Regia

Sport Weight (CYC #2) | 75% Superwash Wool, 25% Recycled Polyamide (459yds / 100g)

This self patterning yarn is part of a line designed by Norwegian duo Arne & Carlos. This yarn lets you knit two identical socks with one clever skein. Durable, washable, and delightfully patterned, this wool blend does the hard part for you—matching stripes included.
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Scarfie by Lion Brand Yarn

Bulky weight (CYC 5)78% Acrylic, 22% Wool (312yds / 150g)

Scarfie is a soft and lofty wool blend yarn with enough yardage to knit or crochet a full length scarf. While working with Scarfie, you’ll see a unique self-striping ombré effect emerge, with gradual shading from one color to the next. The ombré pattern is a sophisticated and tonal blend of solid and heathered hues. Scarfie is great for stylish garments, accessories and afghans.
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Uneek Fingering by Urth Yarns

Fingering weight (CYC 1)100% Merino Wool (435yds / 100g)

Available in rich vibrant colorways, each skein of Urth Yarns Uneek Fingering yarn is crafted from 100% Extrafine Merino wool. These stunning hand-dyed to perfection shades bring fun to any project they're used in! Sweaters, shawls, socks, and more will be elevated to a new level, making use of the unique striping effect that this yarn is capable of.
Get it here