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Self-Striping Yarn

Self-striping yarn builds color changes right into the ball, so stripes, gradients, or Fair Isle-like patterns appear as you knit or crochet without juggling multiple skeins or weaving in extra ends. This page includes options across weights, from sock-weight choices like Paintbox Yarns Socks to worsted and aran picks such as Paintbox Yarns Ombre Aran Wool Touch, suiting anyone who wants easy colorwork for socks, shawls, or garments.

For more sock-specific colors, see our Self-Striping Sock Yarn collection.

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Out of Stock Cascade Yarns Pacific Chunky Multis Yarn - Acrylic Chunky
Cascade Yarns Pacific Chunky Multis Yarn - Acrylic Chunky

60% Acrylic 40% Merino Wool, 120yds (110m)/100g (3.53oz), Bulky

$8.00
Noro Sonata Shima Yarn - Cotton Sport 11 options
Noro Sonata Shima Yarn - Cotton Sport

35% Cotton 25% Viscose 20% Silk 20% Polyamide, 393yds (359m)/100g (3.53oz), Sport

$25.95
King Cole Homespun Prism DK Yarn - Polyamide DK 12 options
King Cole Homespun Prism DK Yarn - Polyamide DK

23% Polyamide 23% Acrylic 22% Merino Wool 22% Alpaca 10% Viscose, 191yds (175m)/50g (1.76oz), DK | Light Worsted

$6.69
SALE Lion Brand Mandala Ombre Yarn - Acrylic Worsted 14 options
Lion Brand Mandala Ombre Yarn - Acrylic Worsted

100% Acrylic, 344yds (315m)/150g (5.29oz), Worsted

$6.39
$7.99
Out of Stock Cascade Yarns Anthem Chords Yarn - Acrylic Worsted
Cascade Yarns Anthem Chords Yarn - Acrylic Worsted

100% Acrylic, 186yds (170m)/100g (3.53oz), Worsted

$6.19
Discontinued Universal Yarn Zesty Sock Yarn - Merino Wool 4 Ply
Universal Yarn Zesty Sock Yarn - Merino Wool 4 Ply

75% Merino Wool 25% Polyamide, 437yds (400m)/100g (3.53oz), Fingering

$19.50
SALE Paintbox Yarns Ombre Aran Wool Touch Yarn - Acrylic Aran 10 options
Paintbox Yarns Ombre Aran Wool Touch Yarn - Acrylic Aran

75% Acrylic 25% Wool, 208yds (190m)/100g (3.53oz), Aran

$6.01
$9.25
Noro Akari Solo Yarn - Silk Worsted 10 options
Noro Akari Solo Yarn - Silk Worsted

26% Silk 21% Cotton 15% Viscose 14% Mohair 24% Other, 524yds (479m)/200g (7.06oz), Worsted

$47.50
Out of Stock Lana Grossa Amoroso Yarn - Wool Worsted
Lana Grossa Amoroso Yarn - Wool Worsted

33% Wool 32% Acrylic 14% Cotton 14% Silk 7% Polyamide, 437yds (400m)/100g (3.53oz), Worsted

$34.00
Out of Stock Louisa Harding Amitola Brushed Yarn - Mohair DK 6 options
Louisa Harding Amitola Brushed Yarn - Mohair DK

60% Mohair 25% Cotton 15% Wool, 328yds (300m)/100g (3.53oz), DK | Light Worsted

$35.00
Out of Stock Juniper Moon Farm Zooey Stripes Yarn - Cotton Sport
Juniper Moon Farm Zooey Stripes Yarn - Cotton Sport

60% Cotton 40% Linen, 284yds (260m)/100g (3.53oz), Sport

$14.37 - $23.95
$23.95
Paintbox Yarns Chunky Pots Yarn - Acrylic Chunky 21 options
Paintbox Yarns Chunky Pots Yarn - Acrylic Chunky

100% Acrylic, 297yds (272m)/200g (7.06oz), Bulky

$12.50
Discontinued Lana Grossa Landlust Die Sockenwolle Yarn - Merino Wool 4 Ply
Lana Grossa Landlust Die Sockenwolle Yarn - Merino Wool 4 Ply

75% Merino Wool 25% Polyamide, 459yds (420m)/100g (3.53oz), Fingering

$14.99
Discontinued Lang Super Soxx 901 - Capital Cities Yarn - Wool 4 Ply
Lang Super Soxx 901 - Capital Cities Yarn - Wool 4 Ply

75% Virgin Wool 25% Nylon, 459yds (420m)/100g (3.53oz), Fingering

$19.50
Out of Stock Lion Brand Ferris Wheel Yarn - Acrylic Worsted 12 options
Lion Brand Ferris Wheel Yarn - Acrylic Worsted

100% Acrylic, 270yds (247m)/85g (3oz), Worsted

$4.99
Discontinued Lana Grossa Meilenweit 100 Intenso Yarn - Wool 4 Ply
Lana Grossa Meilenweit 100 Intenso Yarn - Wool 4 Ply

80% Virgin Wool 20% Polyamide, 459yds (420m)/100g (3.53oz), Fingering

$15.99
Out of Stock Cascade Yarns Anthem Rondo Yarn - Acrylic Worsted
Cascade Yarns Anthem Rondo Yarn - Acrylic Worsted

100% Acrylic, 372yds (340m)/200g (7.06oz), Worsted

$6.75 - $13.50
$13.50
Hayfield Spirit DK Yarn - Acrylic DK 12 options
Hayfield Spirit DK Yarn - Acrylic DK

80% Acrylic 20% Wool, 377yds (345m)/100g (3.53oz), DK | Light Worsted

$9.85
Discontinued Lana Grossa Mare Yarn - Linen Sport
Lana Grossa Mare Yarn - Linen Sport

46% Linen 33% Silk 21% Cotton, 361yds (330m)/100g (3.53oz), Sport

$25.99
Discontinued Lana Grossa Meilenweit 100 Seta Felicia Yarn - Merino Wool 4 Ply
Lana Grossa Meilenweit 100 Seta Felicia Yarn - Merino Wool 4 Ply

55% Merino Wool 25% Polyamide 20% Silk, 437yds (400m)/100g (3.53oz), Fingering

$19.99
Discontinued Lana Grossa Duetto Classico Yarn - Merino Wool Worsted
Lana Grossa Duetto Classico Yarn - Merino Wool Worsted

70% Merino Wool 28% Alpaca 2% Elastane, 109yds (100m)/50g (1.76oz), Worsted

$11.99
Out of Stock Sirdar Super Happy Chenille Yarn - Polyester Super Chunky 5 options
Sirdar Super Happy Chenille Yarn - Polyester Super Chunky

100% Polyester, 105yds (96m)/300g (10.58oz), Super Bulky

$20.00
Discontinued Prism Symphony 6-Pack Yarn - Merino Wool Worsted
Prism Symphony 6-Pack Yarn - Merino Wool Worsted

80% Merino Wool 10% Cashmere 10% Nylon, 708yds (647m)/340g (11.99oz), Worsted

$138.00
King Cole Bramble DK Yarn - Acrylic DK 15 options
King Cole Bramble DK Yarn - Acrylic DK

100% Acrylic, 317yds (290m)/100g (3.53oz), DK | Light Worsted

$8.06
Out of Stock Euro Baby Babe 100 Yarn - Polyamide DK 5 options
Euro Baby Babe 100 Yarn - Polyamide DK

55% Polyamide 45% Acrylic, 356yds (326m)/100g (3.53oz), DK | Light Worsted

$9.00
Out of Stock Freia Fine Handpaints Minikin Fingering Ombre Palette 4 Pack Yarn - Merino Wool 4 Ply
Freia Fine Handpaints Minikin Fingering Ombre Palette 4 Pack Yarn - Merino Wool 4 Ply

100% Merino Wool, 428yds (391m)/25g (0.88oz), Fingering

$62.00
Discontinued Rico Design Fashion Cotton Light & Long Tweed Yarn - Cotton DK
Rico Design Fashion Cotton Light & Long Tweed Yarn - Cotton DK

47% Cotton 43% Acrylic 7% Polyamide, 202yds (185m)/50g (1.76oz), DK | Light Worsted

$10.00
Discontinued Plymouth Yarn Toybox Collection Rainbow Yarn - Acrylic Worsted
Plymouth Yarn Toybox Collection Rainbow Yarn - Acrylic Worsted

100% Acrylic, 240yds (219m)/100g (3.53oz), Worsted

$6.50
Discontinued Lion Brand Sesame Street One Hat Wonder Yarn - Polyester Worsted
Lion Brand Sesame Street One Hat Wonder Yarn - Polyester Worsted

100% Polyester, 95yds (87m)/70g (2.47oz), Worsted

$7.99
Discontinued Laines Du Nord Landscape Yarn - Cotton Sport
Laines Du Nord Landscape Yarn - Cotton Sport

50% Cotton 50% Organic and Natural, 306yds (280m)/100g (3.53oz), Sport

$19.95
Out of Stock Freia Fine Handpaints Minikin Fingering Ombre Palette 6 Pack Yarn - Merino Wool 4 Ply
Freia Fine Handpaints Minikin Fingering Ombre Palette 6 Pack Yarn - Merino Wool 4 Ply

100% Merino Wool, 642yds (587m)/25g (0.88oz), Fingering

$96.00
Out of Stock Freia Fine Handpaints Minikin Fingering Ombre Palette 24 Pack Yarn - Merino Wool 4 Ply
Freia Fine Handpaints Minikin Fingering Ombre Palette 24 Pack Yarn - Merino Wool 4 Ply

100% Merino Wool, 2568yds (2348m)/25g (0.88oz), Fingering

$320.00
SALE Plymouth Yarn Encore Boucle Colorspun Yarn - Acrylic Super Chunky 9 options
Plymouth Yarn Encore Boucle Colorspun Yarn - Acrylic Super Chunky

75% Acrylic 25% Wool, 101yds (92m)/100g (3.53oz), Super Bulky

$3.55 - $7.09
$7.09
Discontinued On-Line Supersocke 347 Style - Cotton Stretch Color 4-Ply Yarn - Cotton 4 Ply
On-Line Supersocke 347 Style - Cotton Stretch Color 4-Ply Yarn - Cotton 4 Ply

41% Cotton 39% Wool 13% Polyamide 7% Polyester, 460yds (421m)/100g (3.53oz), Fingering

$19.95
Discontinued Katia Degrade Sun Yarn - Cotton DK
Katia Degrade Sun Yarn - Cotton DK

100% Cotton, 126yds (115m)/50g (1.76oz), DK | Light Worsted

$11.95
Out of Stock Cascade Yarns Longwood Sport Stripe Yarn - Superwash Merino DK
Cascade Yarns Longwood Sport Stripe Yarn - Superwash Merino DK

100% Merino Wool, 273yds (250m)/100g (3.53oz), DK | Light Worsted

$19.21
Out of Stock Hayfield Breeze DK Yarn - Acrylic DK 3 options
Hayfield Breeze DK Yarn - Acrylic DK

100% Acrylic, 306yds (280m)/100g (3.53oz), DK | Light Worsted

$7.95
Discontinued On-Line Supersocke 4-Ply Aloe - 316 Mountain Color Yarn - Wool 4 Ply
On-Line Supersocke 4-Ply Aloe - 316 Mountain Color Yarn - Wool 4 Ply

75% Virgin Wool 25% Polyamide, 459yds (420m)/100g (3.53oz), Fingering

$15.95
Discontinued Katia Fair Cotton Mariner Yarn - Cotton 4 Ply
Katia Fair Cotton Mariner Yarn - Cotton 4 Ply

100% Cotton, 678yds (620m)/200g (7.06oz), Fingering

$39.95
SALE King Cole Beaches DK Yarn - Acrylic DK 13 options
King Cole Beaches DK Yarn - Acrylic DK

70% Acrylic 30% Polyamide, 279yds (255m)/100g (3.53oz), DK | Light Worsted

$7.70
$9.63
Discontinued On-Line Supersocke Extrafine Merino - 314 Color Yarn - Superwash Wool 4 Ply
On-Line Supersocke Extrafine Merino - 314 Color Yarn - Superwash Wool 4 Ply

75% Virgin Wool 25% Polyamide, 459yds (420m)/100g (3.53oz), Fingering

$24.95
Discontinued On-Line Supersocke 4-Ply Cotton Plus - 312 Paradise Color Yarn - Cotton 4 Ply
On-Line Supersocke 4-Ply Cotton Plus - 312 Paradise Color Yarn - Cotton 4 Ply

50% Cotton 45% Polyamide 5% Polyester, 503yds (460m)/100g (3.53oz), Fingering

$15.95
Discontinued On-Line Supersocke Extrafine Merino - 313 Color Yarn - Wool 4 Ply
On-Line Supersocke Extrafine Merino - 313 Color Yarn - Wool 4 Ply

75% Virgin Wool 25% Polyamide, 459yds (420m)/100g (3.53oz), Fingering

$24.95
Out of Stock Queensland Collection Sunshine Coast Yarn - Superwash Merino DK
Queensland Collection Sunshine Coast Yarn - Superwash Merino DK

70% Merino Wool 30% Bamboo, 290yds (265m)/100g (3.53oz), DK | Light Worsted

$16.00
Stylecraft Merry Go Round XL Yarn - Acrylic Super Chunky 7 options
Stylecraft Merry Go Round XL Yarn - Acrylic Super Chunky

100% Acrylic, 74yds (68m)/100g (3.53oz), Super Bulky

$7.69
King Cole Harvest DK Yarn - Acrylic DK 11 options
King Cole Harvest DK Yarn - Acrylic DK

90% Acrylic 10% Alpaca, 585yds (535m)/150g (5.29oz), DK | Light Worsted

$14.51
Discontinued On-Line Supersocke 150 8-Ply Active Color Yarn - Superwash Merino Worsted
On-Line Supersocke 150 8-Ply Active Color Yarn - Superwash Merino Worsted

75% Merino Wool 25% Polyamide, 346yds (316m)/150g (5.29oz), Worsted

$29.95
SALE Paintbox Yarns Socks 5 Ball Value Pack Yarn - Wool 4 Ply 26 options
Paintbox Yarns Socks 5 Ball Value Pack Yarn - Wool 4 Ply

75% Wool 25% Polyamide, 2133yds (1950m)/500g (17.64oz), Fingering

$54.00 - $60.00
$60.00
Out of Stock Lana Grossa Gomitolo Selezione 2 Yarn - Cotton DK
Lana Grossa Gomitolo Selezione 2 Yarn - Cotton DK

75% Cotton 25% Viscose, 284yds (260m)/100g (3.53oz), DK | Light Worsted

$16.50
Discontinued Lana Grossa Meilenweit 100 Santa Fe Yarn - Wool 4 Ply
Lana Grossa Meilenweit 100 Santa Fe Yarn - Wool 4 Ply

80% Virgin Wool 20% Polyamide, 460yds (421m)/100g (3.53oz), Fingering

$13.99
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How to Choose Self-Striping Yarn for Your Project

Self-striping yarn takes the guesswork out of colorwork by changing color automatically as you work, which makes it a favorite for socks, but it works just as well for shawls, hats, and simple garments. The key to a good result is matching the stripe length and yarn weight to your project.

Choosing a Weight

Self-striping yarn isn't limited to sock weight. You'll find fingering-weight options alongside DK and worsted choices like Universal Yarn Major or chunkier picks such as King Cole Homespun Prism DK, so you can get striping effects in afghans and sweaters, not just socks. Check the label for yardage and gauge to be sure the stripe repeat will fit your stitch count.

Getting Clean Stripes

  • Stitch count affects how stripes line up; a plain stockinette sock or scarf shows the cleanest repeats
  • Textured stitches can blur short color changes, so simpler patterns usually show off self-striping yarn best
  • Working two projects from one ball (like a pair of socks) can shift where stripes fall on each piece

Caring for Striping Yarns

Follow the care instructions on the label, since fiber content varies by yarn; wool blends generally prefer a gentle hand wash while cotton blends such as Rowan Cotton Cashmere can often be laundered more easily. Always check the ball band before washing a finished piece.

FAQ

What is self-striping yarn? It's yarn dyed in color segments along the length of the ball so stripes or gradients appear automatically as you knit or crochet.

Is self-striping yarn only for socks? No, while sock yarns are popular for this effect, self-striping yarn is also available in DK, worsted, and chunky weights for sweaters, hats, and blankets.

Does the stitch pattern matter with self-striping yarn? Yes, simple stitches like stockinette let the stripes show clearly, while heavily textured stitches can obscure the color changes.

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