Novelty yarns

Give your knitting a new and exciting element with these fun and unique fibres

BERNAT BLANKET BRIGHTS An extremely soft chenille yarn, Blanket Brights knits into super-chunky sized fabric with good and even stitch definition.

It’s ideal for bulky blankets, throws and other large home décor pieces, but it’s also great for plush toys and anything that will touch babies’ skin. As it can be machine washed and dried, it’s a practical choice too.

Find it in 16 vibrant shades, of which eight are variegated. Patterns available include cuddly blankets, both knitted and crocheted. Besides the 150g balls, Blanket Brights is also available in bumper 300g/201m balls for RRP £14.99. RRP £7.99 WEIGHT super chunky BALL 150g/98m NEEDLE 8mm CONTENT 100% polyester

CARE machine wash and tumble dry Visit www.readicut.co.uk or call 01162 713759 for stockist details.

SCHOELLER + STAHL CARIBA

Shake up your knitting with this excitingly textured yarn from Schoeller + Stahl. A unique strand of loop after loop, Cariba knits up into a wonderfully squishable yarn that brings to mind classic dressing gowns.

Available in 11 bright and tonal shades, this yarn is also an ideal choice for a snuggly blanket. And on 3.5-4.5mm needles it will knit up quicker than you might think!

Stick to simple stitches, like stocking and garter stitch for this loopy yarn. Give stylish garments and children’s accessories a go – or, cast on the ripple hand-towel pattern available online (at the address below). RRP £3.84 WEIGHT aran BALL 50g/100m NEEDLE 3.5-4.5mm CONTENT 50% viscose, 50% acrylic

CARE machine wash 30˚C Visit www.loveknitting.com or call 01409 404010 to buy this yarn.

KING COLE FUNNY YUMMY

Swaddle baby up safe and warm in this incredibly soft yarn. With its chenille-like feel, the whirls and swirls of Funny Yummy will keep little ones’ imaginations captivated and be gentle on their delicate skin.

On 12mm needles, you’ll find projects in this yarn practically fly o the needles! Why not cast on one of King Cole’s specially designed patterns? They have a cute sheep, cuddly pig and a nursery set, all for baby.

Discover four pretty pastel shades in cream, white, pink and blue. Simple stitches are a must in this yarn, but don’t be afraid to go for fun stripes or blocks of colour. RRP £5.49 WEIGHT super chunky BALL 100g/44m NEEDLE 12mm CONTENT 100% polyester

CARE machine wash 40°C Visit www.kingcole.com or call 01756 703670 for stockist details.

STYLECRAFT COSY CHUNKY Style meets comfort in Stylecraft’s latest addition to their ever-expanding range. Cosy Chunky is just the thing if you’re looking for a quick knit that looks just fabulous!

Choose from five soft shades, each moving through a blend of colours, from blues and white, to pink and grey. Pattern support is ample for this new yarn, with jumpers and cardigans galore online, plus cosy cushions and trendy accessories.

The metallic thread running through this yarn is softened by the alpaca fibres – all spun into a loose and slightly crimped yarn. RRP £4.79 WEIGHT super chunky BALL 100g/213m NEEDLE 6mm CONTENT 50% acrylic, 15% metallic polyester, 14% alpaca, 12% polyamide CARE machine wash at 30˚C Visit www.stylecraft-yarns.co.uk or call 01484 848435 for stockist details.

SIRDAR TEMPTATION

The clue’s in the name, it’s hard to resist this fuzzy ball of joy! In five fashionable shades (light pink, magenta, black, cream and white), this acrylic/mohair blend is ideal for vintage-style jumpers and cardigans.

You’ll find plenty of pattern support for Temptation, from V-neck cardis to classic rib jumpers – and a collection of seriously cosy home accessories to knit, too.

The mohair fibres in this yarn give it that oomph when knitted and it’s the addition of the hard-wearing acrylic that means this delicate yarn is made to last. And on 5.5mm needles, it’s made to knit up quickly, too! RRP £4.99 WEIGHT super chunky BALL 50g/100m NEEDLE 5.5mm CONTENT 70% acrylic, 30% mohair CARE machine wash 40˚C and dry flat Visit www.sirdar.co.uk or call 01924 231682 for stockist details.

WENDY NOIR

Cast on sophisticated evening wear and accessories with Wendy’s new Noir. In a range of deep jewel tones, from midnight blue to plum purple, each shade is spun with a thread of black and a touch of gold.

You’ll create stand-out looks with this thick and thin yarn for the festive season. Classic stitches like rib, wide cables and garter stitch will take on a whole new look.

Wendy have developed six stylish designs, ideal for parties and special occasions. Choose from an o -the-shoulder top, a boat-neck jumper and more. Each design knits up quickly on chunky needles! RRP £3.99 WEIGHT chunky BALL 100g /210m NEEDLE 6.5mm CONTENT 80% premium acrylic, 16.5% wool, 3.5% lurex CARE machine wash 30˚C, cool tumble dry Visit www.johnlewis.com or call 03456 049049 to buy this yarn.