Caron Patterns

What the Caron patterns are for

Caron patterns are mostly single-yarn designs written for easy-care acrylic: blankets and throws first, then hats, scarves, shawls, cowls, jumpers and cardigans. Many are written for the self-striping Cakes, where the gradient does the design work, and for the big 454g One Pound ball, which is why so many of them are full-size afghans. Every pattern here is a free download.

Crochet or knitting

Crochet leads, at roughly three patterns in five. Go straight to the Caron crochet patterns or the Caron knitting patterns if you only do one craft. For more blankets from every designer, try the crochet blanket patterns and knitted blanket patterns.

Choosing a yarn for a Caron pattern

Each pattern names the Caron yarn it was written for. Match the weight and tension rather than the brand:

• Simply Soft and One Pound patterns: an aran or worsted-weight acrylic. Simply Soft is slick with a slight sheen, so a smooth acrylic yarn gives the closest stitch definition.
• Cakes patterns: a self-striping or ombre yarn of the same weight. Check the length of the colour repeat, because it decides how wide each stripe comes out.
• Baby Cakes patterns: a soft baby yarn in the same weight.
• Chunky and Big Cakes patterns: a chunky yarn, so a blanket needs fewer joins.

How much yarn you need

Work to metres, not ball count, because ball sizes vary hugely. As a rough guide, a pram blanket in worsted acrylic takes around 700 to 900 metres and a generous sofa throw around 1,800 to 2,500 metres. If you are striping with a gradient yarn, buy all the balls together and check they start at the same point in the colour sequence before you cast on.

Working with acrylic

Acrylic has less spring than wool, so ribbing and cuffs relax over time; going down a needle or hook size at the edges keeps them neat. Slick yarns slide off smooth metal needles, and bamboo or wood gives more grip. Never block acrylic with steam or a hot iron, as heat flattens it for good. Pin it damp and let it dry instead. Weave ends in generously, a few centimetres in two directions.

Caron pattern questions

Are these Caron patterns free? Yes. Every pattern in this collection is a free download.

What weight is Caron Simply Soft? Aran/worsted, so any aran or worsted yarn at the same tension will work.

Can I use a different yarn? Yes. Match the tension, swatch, and buy by total metres rather than number of balls.

Where are the crochet-only or knitting-only patterns? In the Caron crochet patterns and Caron knitting patterns collections.