Welcome back fiber enthusiasts! Today we’re diving into an in-depth exploration of Caron Simply Soft yarn. Specifically, we’ll be investigating whether this popular yarn is considered a worsted weight or not. Grab your crochet hooks and knitting needles, because we’re about to unravel the mystery of Caron Simply Soft!
What is Caron Simply Soft Yarn?
Caron Simply Soft is a line of acrylic yarn produced by Yarnspirations. It comes in a wide range of beautiful colors and is known for being exceptionally soft and having great drape. This budget-friendly yarn is a favorite among crafters for all kinds of projects from baby blankets to wearables and everything in between.
Some key features of Caron Simply Soft include:
- 100% acrylic fiber
- Medium weight
- Yarn weight of 4
- Gauge of 12 sts x 10 rows = 4 inch in stockinette stitch using US 8 knitting needles
- No dye lot so colors can be combined
- Very soft texture and drape
- Minimal shedding and pilling
- Great stitch definition
- Available in solids, heathers, twists, and variegated colors
- Affordable price point
With so many positive attributes, it’s no wonder Caron Simply Soft has been a beloved yarn staple for decades!
What Does Worsted Weight Mean?
In the yarn weight system, worsted weight is considered a 4 medium weight yarn. The Craft Yarn Council defines worsted weight yarns as having the following specifications:
| Yarn Weight | Recommended Needle/Hook | Average Knitted Gauge | Average Crocheted Gauge |
| 4 Medium Worsted Weight | US 6 – 9 knitting needles US H/8 – I/9 crochet hooks |
16-20 sts per 4 inches | 11-14 sts per 4 inches |
So in summary, a worsted weight yarn is a medium weight yarn that knits up to a gauge of 16-20 stitches over 4 inches on US size 6-9 knitting needles. For crochet, it makes 11-14 stitches over 4 inches with a US H/8 to I/9 hook. This thickness of yarn is ideal for many basic apparel and accessory patterns.
The term “worsted” refers to the specific process used to spin the yarn. Worsted preparation aligns the fibers smoothly and tightly together before spinning uniform yarn. This gives the yarn good stitch definition and durability.
How Does Caron Simply Soft Measure Up?
Now that we understand the key specs for a worsted weight yarn, let’s see how Caron Simply Soft compares:
- Fiber content: Caron Simply Soft is 100% acrylic fiber, which is common for worsted weight yarns.
- Yarn weight: Caron identifies Simply Soft as a Category 4 medium weight yarn.
- Recommended needles/hooks: The label suggests US 8 knitting needles and I/9 crochet hooks, which aligns with the standard sizes for worsted weight.
- Gauge: Caron Simply Soft knits to 12 sts x 10 rows in 4 inches on US size 8 needles. This converts to a gauge of 18 stitches over 4 inches, which falls within the 16-20 stitch gauge range expected of a worsted weight yarn.
Looking at these specs, Caron Simply Soft matches up with the attributes of a worsted weight yarn quite well.
To visualize how it compares, here is a table with the Craft Yarn Council’s criteria for worsted weight versus Caron Simply Soft’s specifications:
| Characteristic | Worsted Weight Standard | Caron Simply Soft |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber Content | Varies | 100% acrylic |
| Yarn Weight Category | 4 Medium | 4 Medium |
| Recommended Needles/Hooks | US 6-9 knitting needles US H/8-I/9 crochet hooks |
US 8 knitting needles US I/9 crochet hooks |
| Gauge over 4″ | 16-20 stitches knit 11-14 stitches crochet |
18 stitches knit |
As you can see, Caron Simply Soft shares all the expected qualities of a standard worsted weight yarn.
Simply Soft Weight in Practice
While the specifications may tell us Caron Simply Soft is technically a worsted weight, how does it actually knit and crochet up?
From my personal experience with this yarn, I find that Simply Soft behaves very nicely. It has great stitch definition which produces clear, even fabric. The acrylic fiber holds the stitches in place without too much elasticity.
The yarn feels substantial in your hands and projects up smoothly. It’s not unusually heavy or light for a worsted weight. The softness simply comes from the smooth acrylic fibers rather than a bulky ply.
Simply Soft also wears well over time. Garments and accessories hold their shape and are durable with everyday use. The yarn resists shedding, pilling and getting overly stretched out.
Of course, gauge swatches are still recommended to get a feel for the yarn and make any adjustments to hook/needle size. But overall, Simply Soft performs according to its worsted weight classification.
To demonstrate, here are some example projects knit in Caron Simply Soft:
| Project | Pattern Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Women’s Sweater | Knit on US 8 needles Cast on 120 sts Stockinette stitch |
Resulted in a medium weight fabric appropriate for a sweater |
| Baby Blanket | Knit on US 9 needles Cast on 120 sts Garter stitch |
Worked up into a nice drapey blanket |
| Amigurumi Elephant | Crochet with US I/9 hook | Stitches were dense enough for structured amigurumi |
Based on these projects, Caron Simply Soft performs as expected for a worsted weight yarn and is suitable for a variety of uses.
The Verdict
After reviewing Caron Simply Soft’s fiber, weight specifications, needle recommendations, and gauges, it’s clear that this yarn lives up to the attributes of a standard worsted weight. It has the right balance of drape, structure, and stitch definition. Projects knit up to the anticipated density for the pattern and needle size used.
While personal gauge and knitting style can vary, Caron Simply Soft is an excellent example of a worsted weight acrylic yarn. It meets crafters’ expectations for performance and handles like a typical Category 4 medium weight yarn.
For those seeking a budget-friendly soft acrylic to suit any worsted pattern, Caron Simply Soft is a tried and true choice. Its wide range of colors and consistent quality has made this yarn a staple of many veteran fiber artists’ stashes.
So in summary, yes, Caron Simply Soft is indeed a true worsted weight yarn! Have you used Simply Soft for your worsted weight projects? Let me know how it worked up for you in the comments!
Conclusion
In this in-depth article, we investigated the specifications of Caron Simply Soft yarn and how they compare to the standards for a worsted weight category yarn. By examining fiber content, weight, recommended gauge and needle sizes, we can conclusively determine that Caron Simply Soft behaves as a classic worsted weight acrylic. It has the expected durability, drape and structure that makes it suitable for all types of worsted patterns. While personal gauge preferences can vary, Caron Simply Soft is an affordable go-to for crafters wanting a soft, quality acrylic to work up with ease for their next worsted weight project.
