We just received 4 new NEON colours in Cascade 220 Superwash Merino and it made me think how lucky we are to have great neon yarns in three thicknesses: Fingering (Cascade Heritage), Worsted (Cascade 220 Superwash Merino), and Super Bulky (Cascade Spuntaneous). All 3 yarns are made from super-soft merino wool, and both Heritage and 220 Superwash Merino are machine washable (Spuntaneous is hand-wash).

Safety First

Neon colours are great for safety. As a cyclist who’se been hit by a distracted driver, I can attest to the importance of highly-visible clothing for pedestrians. Since then my goal has been to stay out of the hospital, and I always wear neon outerwear when I’m on my bike. The neon makes me much, much more visible to drivers, and I think both parties appreciate that. I’ve noticed that since I started wearing neon, drivers are also a lot nicer to me, and my interactions in traffic are much friendlier – I think they just couldn’t see me before, and now I’m REALLY hard to miss.

My friend David has a visibility impairment, and he wears neon too. He is legally blind, but he doesn’t look it, which makes people think that he can do and see things that he can’t, and they assume that he is aware of things that he isn’t. I recommended he wear neon so people would notice him first, and he says it’s been a total game-changer. On an overcast fall/winter/early spring day, a bright garment, even as small as a hat or a scarf, can make a BIG difference.

NEON PATTERN INSPIRATIONS

Colour Combos

Neon colours aren’t really like other colours because they’re so BRIGHT. They are great on their own, but they also look wonderful combined with a neutral like light grey, cream, or even a darker colour like a charcoal grey or black, and even navy (for that lite-brite effect). Pictures speak louder and more effectively than words, so I put together a ‘look-book’ of pattern inspiration (linked above) to give you an idea of what can be done with neons. There are also great colour combinations in the book Neons & Neutrals by Aimee Gille.

You can use a little hit of Neon paired with a field of neutral to set it off and create a dynamic look, like in the Granny Stripe Blanket or this Cumulonimbus Nuvem Wrap by Melidott (pictured above).

You can mellow out a neon and make it a bit more pastel by holding a neon base yarn (Cascade Heritage) with an off-white (or something close) kid-mohair (like Drops Kid-Silk) and marling them. Look for a pattern that combines a Fingering Weight with a Lace Weight yarn. To take it down a few more notches strand it with two strands of kid-mohair or a single strand of brushed alpaca like Drops Brushed Alpaca & Silk. You can see this in projects like Neon Cecil (above) and Stephen West does this frequently to modify the colour.

Yarn Combining:

• Lace weight mohair + fingering = worsted (4.5mm/US7 to 5mm/US8 needles/hook)
• fingering + fingering = worsted (4.5mm/US7 needles/hook)
• Lace weight mohair x 2 + fingering = aran to bulky (5.5mm/US9 to 6.5mm/US10.5 needles/hook)
• Lace weight mohair + worsted = bulky (6mm/US10 to 6.5mm/US10.5 needles/hook)
• fingering + aran brushed alpaca = bulky (6mm/US10 needles/hook)

Cascade 220 Superwash Merino

Bright news! Cascade 220 Superwash Merino is now available in NEON colours! Pink, Orange, Yellow and Green …. you’ll never be missed again! Know someone who takes long walks in the winter? Make ’em a hat and keep them visible, safe and warm.

One skein is enough for a hat, two for a regular scarf (6″ wide), 3 for a larger scarf (8″ wide), 4 for a shawl or wrap, 5+ for a sweater (depending on the size), 10+ for a throw blanket.

Cascade 220 Superwash Merino is a great staple yarn and comes in a plethora of colours. It’s 100% machine washable Merino wool, soft enough for babies and kids. Great for just about everything and anything (except felting).

• Light worsted weight
• 100% Superwash Merino Wool
• 100g/200m (220yds)
• 4mm to 4.5mm (US 6 to 7) needles
• 20 sts = 4″ (10cm)
• Machine was cool, tumble dry cool.
• Made in India
• Project ideas from Ravelry

Colorblock Jute Stitch Blanket

Size

• Crib (Throw)
• Finished Dimensions: 30 inches wide x 39 inches long (42 inches wide x 55 inches long)

Materials

• Cascade 220 Superwash Merino: Bright Colour: 2(5) balls; Neutral Colour: 3(6) balls
• 5mm/US8 – 32″ or 40″ circular needles
• Darning or Tapestry Needle
• FREE pattern

Manhattan Hat

Just about ANY hat pattern that calls for worsted-weight yarn will work with Cascade 220 Superwash Merino, but I thought this one shows off what a VERY bright colour can do.

Size

• Baby, Toddler, Child (Adult S, Adult M, Adult L)
• Finished circumference: 12”, 13.3”, 14.7” (16”, 17.3”, 18.7”) / 30.5, 34, 37.3 (40.6, 44, 47) cm
• To fit a head circumference: 16”, 17.3”, 18.7” (20”, 21.3”, 22.7”) / 40.5, 44, 47.3 (50.6, 54, 57) cm with approximately 4” / 10 cm of negative ease.

Materials

• Cascade 220 Superwash Merino: Brimless: 1, 1, 1 (1, 1, 1) skein; Single Fold: 1, 1, 1 (1, 1, 1) ball; Double Fold: 1, 1, 1 (2, 2, 2) balls
• 3.75mm/US5 – 16″ circular needles
• 3.75mm/US5 double-pointed needles
• Stitch Markers
• Darning or Tapestry Needle
• Pattern

Cascade Heritage

Neons are also available in a fingering weight superwash merino, Cascade Heritage. Two pinks, two oranges, red, yellow, green, and a purple that didn’t make it to the photo shoot (it’s back-ordered).

Cascade Heritage is a soft, durable, and overall lovely new sock yarn. It’s a super soft blend of superwash merino wool and nylon, so they’ll make your hands and feet happy, but also wear well. 1 skein makes a pair of socks, gloves, mitts, or a hat. 

• Sock yarn/Fingering Weight
• 75% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon
• 100g – 400m (437 yds)
• 28 to 32 sts = 4″ (10cm) on 2.25mm to 3.25mm
• Machine wash cold, tumble dry
• Made in India
• See pattern ideas on Ravelry

Musselburgh

I love this hat because it’s so warm! If you knit it as a beanie it’s 2 layers thick, and if you make it with a folded brim then it is FOUR layers thick. Hallelujah, a winter hat that keeps me warm on the coldest days!

Size

• Baby (Toddler, Child/Adult S, Adult M, Adult L, Adult XL)
• To fit head circumference: 16(18, 20, 22, 24, 26) inches

Materials

• Cascade Heritage: 1(1, 1, 2, 2, 2) skeins
• 2.5mm/US1.5 – 16″ circular needles
• 2.5mm/US1.5 double-pointed needles (or magic loop)
• Stitch Markers
• Darning or Tapestry Needle
• Pattern

Happy Street

Materials

• Cascade Heritage: 1 skein in each of 3 colours
• 3.5mm/US4 – 32″ circular needles (or longer)
• Stitch Markers
• Darning or Tapestry Needle
• Pattern

Lapponia

I love dmhartley‘s Lapponia with neon pink, it’s gorgeous! I also love the pairing of the neon with navy blue and ochre, it’s unexpected and it works!

Size

• 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
• Finished chest circumference: 40 (44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72)” / 100 (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180) cm.
• Choose a size with approx. 4-8” 10-20 cm of positive ease.

Materials

• Cascade Heritage: Main Colour: 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4) skeins, Contrast Colour 1: 1 skein, Contrast Colour 2: 1 skein.
• 3.5mm/US4 circular needles (see pattern for length recommendations)
• 2.5mm/US1.5 circular needles (see pattern for length recommendations)
• Stitch Markers
• Darning or Tapestry Needle
• Pattern

Cascade Spuntaneous

Cascade Spuntaneous is a super bulky, single-plied yarn that is buttery soft. Made with 100% extra fine merino wool, its design and texture will have you thinking comfort and favourite in a twisted hank. Spuntaneous lends itself to statement accessories like oversized cowls, hats and capelets.

Project Ideas

1 skein is enough for a hat or a scarf, 2 for a large scarf, 4+ for a sweater, 5 to 10 for a blanket.

• 100% Extra Fine Merino Wool
• Weight: 200g – 100m(109yds)
• 10mm to 12mm/US15 to 17
• 6 to 8 sts = 4″ (10 cm)
• Hand wash, lay flat to dry
• Made in India
• See more about Cascade Spuntaneous on our Blog

Weekend Jacket

Size

• This garment is intended to be worn with about 45-49 cm / 17.75-19.25 inches positive ease.
• For between sizes, choose the smaller size.
• Size: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) {6, 7, 8, 9, 10}
• Designed to fit actual bust circumference: 76 (86.5, 96.5, 106.5, 117) {127, 137, 147.5, 157.5, 167.5} cm / 30 (34, 38, 42, 46) {50, 54, 58, 62, 66} inches.
• Finished Bust Circumference: 124.5 (134, 144.5, 154, 163) {175.5, 183, 195.5, 203, 215.5} cm / 49 (52.75, 57, 60.5, 64.25) {69, 72, 77, 80, 84.75} inches

Materials

• Cascade SPUNTANEOUS: [shown in colour 33 Neon Pink ] ( 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) {5, 5, 6, 6, 6} skeins
• 12mm/US17 – 24″ circular needles
• 15mm/US19 – 32″ circular needles
• 15mm/US19  double pointed needles (or use magic loop)
• Jumbo Stitch Markers
• Stitch Holders or Scrap Yarn
• Jumbo tapestry or drning needle
• 4 buttons (28mm)
• Pattern