Paintbox Yarns

Paintbox Yarns: the full range, and how to choose between them

Paintbox Yarns exists to solve one particular problem — wanting a very specific shade, in enough quantity to make something big, without the cost putting the project out of reach. The ranges are built around enormous colour palettes in a handful of well-behaved fibres, so a blanket in eighteen graded shades or a colourwork jumper with five contrast colours becomes an achievable plan rather than a fantasy. This page brings together every Paintbox base and weight we stock, from 4 ply through to super chunky.

The main ranges at a glance

• Simply DK and Simply Aran (100% acrylic): the everyday workhorses. Hard-wearing, machine washable and available in a huge spectrum, they suit blankets, granny square projects, charity knitting, amigurumi and children's clothes.
• Simply Chunky and Super Chunky: big yarn for fast projects — throws, cushions, chunky hats and scarves on 6–10mm needles or hooks.
• Cotton DK and Cotton Aran (100% cotton): matte, crisp and cool, with excellent stitch definition. Best for summer tops, market bags, dishcloths, baskets and homeware where you want shapes to stay sharp.
• Wool and wool blends: bounce, warmth and elasticity for jumpers, hats, mittens and anything ribbed.
• 4 ply weights: finer fabric for shawls, baby garments and detailed colourwork.

Matching weight to project

As a rough guide, 4 ply works on 3–3.5mm, DK on 4mm, aran on 5mm, chunky on 6–7mm and super chunky on 9mm and above. A DK adult jumper typically needs 1,000–1,400m; a generous throw in aran can run to 1,800m or more; a single amigurumi toy rarely needs more than one ball. Because Paintbox is sold by the ball with consistent metreage, working out quantities from a pattern's yardage figure is straightforward — divide the total metres by the metres per ball and round up.

Planning colour

The reason most people arrive here is colour, so it's worth planning properly. Order everything for one project at the same time so shades and dye lots match across the piece, and lay your balls out in the intended order before you start — a stripe sequence that looks good in a list can fall flat in the flesh. For gradient blankets, photograph the line-up in black and white on your phone: if two neighbouring shades look identical in greyscale, they have the same tonal value and the transition will read as muddy. Add a darker or lighter shade between them and the whole thing sings.

Substituting Paintbox for another yarn

Check three things: weight, metres per 100g, and fibre behaviour. Acrylic doesn't block into shape the way wool does, so if a pattern relies on blocking to open lace, choose a wool or wool blend. Cotton has no memory and will stretch under its own weight, so knit it a touch firmer and be cautious with long drapey cardigans. Always knit or crochet a tension square in the actual stitch pattern, wash it as you intend to wash the finished item, then measure.

Washing and care

The acrylic and cotton ranges are easy-care and machine washable at low temperatures, which is exactly what you want for baby blankets and children's jumpers. Wool blends may need a wool cycle or hand washing. Whichever you use, follow the ball band, dry flat rather than hanging, and keep one band per project as a record. Acrylic can be lightly steam blocked with the iron held above the fabric — never pressed directly onto it, or the stitches will go limp and shiny.

Frequently asked

Is Paintbox yarn machine washable? The acrylic and cotton ranges are, at the temperature given on the ball band. Check individual bands for wool blends.

What can I make with Paintbox yarn? Anything the weight suits — amigurumi and dishcloths at the fine end, full-size throws and chunky cardigans at the other.

How many balls should I buy? Work from the pattern's total metreage and add a ball for safety, especially if you're substituting or your tension runs loose.

Where are the patterns? See Paintbox knitting patterns, Paintbox crochet patterns, or browse all our yarns.