Knitch Magazine

Yarn Name: Schachenmayr SMC Colorful
Review Date: July 24, 2011
Date Introduced to Market: Autumn/Winter 2011

The Look

Colorful is a single ply yarn with stunning color variation. The color changes gradually and subtly in a pattern that gives the illusion of a neutral background with colorful stripes. The continuous color changes create an artistic random effect over the entire garment. This easy care machine washable and super-soft blend of 70% polyester acrylic and 30% wool make this yarn a good choice for kids garments and accessories.

The Feel

With no plies or twists, Colorful singles are silky smooth with a soft tickly haze. It rates #8 on the softness scale.

Softness Scale

The Patterns

SMC offers a number of unique, stylish design ideas for their yarns. There are several tempting projects for Colorful, including a good selection of children’s garments that will look great in this easy-care machine washable yarn. These cheerful designs bloom with color that will make them favorite garments for active youngsters. Colorful is a versatile medium weight yarn that knits to 16 stitches over 4 inches. There are hundreds of time-tested patterns available at this gauge. Use Colorful to add instant color interest without changing a single thing in your favorite medium gauge pattern.

Color Range

The color repeats are rather long, and it may be difficult to envision how the yarn will look when knitted. The answer is: gorgeous. The skillfully blended colors transition smoothly into attractively shaded stripes in knitted fabric. These variations add a burst of color energy to simply shaped garments and accessories. Colorful is available in six different color progressions including a pastel mix, cool blues, jewel tones, a soothing sunset mix, bright spring colors and a playful blend of pink and blue.

Working It

Most knitters enjoy knitting with singles yarns because they are very elastic and fluid. Colorful knits with great ease into a resilient and thick fabric crowned by a fine haze of surface fibers. Big cables or textured stitches stand out nicely, but don’t sag in this thick but lightweight yarn. My test swatch cap was knit on k1p1 ribbing over 72 stitches for 6 inches, and then decreased at 7 points. It knit into a delightfully stretchy watch cap that will fit infant to toddler, with or without rolled up brim.

What I’d Like to Make with It

The perky colors of this easy-care yarn make it ideal for kid’s rugged garments. Knit this bouncy yarn into loose jackets or pullovers with snuggly tight ribbed edges to seal out drafts.

Knitting Outside the Box

This cozy soft yarn would make cheerful house slippers or hefty “lumberjack” socks. Pick up a pair of suede slipper soles made for use with medium weight yarn. The sock tops will knit up quickly and with instant color in this variegated yarn.

Blocking It

Lay flat to dry. Do not apply heat. Colorful is 70% acrylic, and may be damaged by high heat.

Washing It

Machine wash in cool water on a gentle cycle.

Wearability

Pills are caused when surface fibers are rubbed into tiny balls but don’t sluff off the surface of the fabric because the fiber is strong and resistant to brushing. Singles yarns don’t have any extra twist applied to the yarn, leaving stray fiber ends to pop out along the surface of the knitting. Expect some pilling in this yarn because acrylic fibers are strong and soft.

Overall Recommendation:

Colorful is a glorious blend of color in a beautifully textured easy-care yarn. For an easy way to add color to your knitting, try this yarn. It rates #8.