Variegated Yarn – Different Types and Crochet Patterns

Variegated yarns are yarns dyed with more than one color. They are also known as self striping or multi-colored yarns, depending on how they are dyed and the finish they give. There are also yarns which are predominantly one color, but contain speckling of another color to add definition. Over the years I’ve tried several different variegated yarns, with very mixed results.

I was even recently accused of using AI to produce a pattern, because my color changes were “impossibly neat”. Given that I have a very lazy attitude to color changes this amused me quite a lot, because what I actually did was just use a multi-colored yarn. No color changes needed!

I am going to share my patterns that make use of variegated yarn in a moment, but first I think it’s useful to understand that there are two main ways that I use variegated yarn, and they have quite different purposes in my projects.

No Effort Color Changes

I think it’s fair to say that many people use multi colored yarn to avoid color changes. Or just because they love that combined palette finish! I use mainly brightly colored variegated yarns for blankets, throw pillows, bags and other home decor items or accessories. But it can also be lovely for small accessorie style items like hair scrunchies and keychains.

Adding Texture

The other way I love to use variegated yarn is to give a sense of texture to my crocheted creatures. Flecked or speckled style variegated yarn can be absolutely fantastic for this sort of project. Greys and browns make lovely fur for plushies, but I really love it when the yarn has these extra tones that can help to bring out the impression of hair or feathers. Conversely it’s also a really fun way to add a fantasy twist to your project, when you use multi-colored yarn with bright or unnatural shades.