Are you intimidated by an gradient yarn ? I certainly was when I first ordered Yarnart Bouquet yarn. So Why did I order it in the first place ? well it was very pretty 😅.

Yarnart bouquet yarn is a gradient yarn that slowly changes colour strand by strand. The colour I ordered was 709 and it gradually changes colour from light blue to white.It’s worth noting that gradient and ombré yarns aren’t exactly the same. Gradient yarns transition gradually, often strand by strand, giving a smoother blend of colors. Ombre are also similar but they transition from light to dark or vice versa in the same color family. YarnArt Bouquet definitely falls into the gradient category because of the way multiple colors blend together.

If you’re a beginner, this yarn can feel a bit challenging to work with. Since it’s made up of multiple untwisted strands, they tend to separate as you crochet or knit. In contrast, most cotton yarns are tightly twisted, which helps the strands stay together and makes them easier to handle.

Fiber Characteristics

The yarn is made up of 100% cotton and is DK Weight. I used a 4mm hook for my project which is a shawl. One cake of yarn is about 250g which is around 500m and has an easy centre pull option. I managed to make an almost elbow-length shawl with just one cake, but for the pattern I used, I think two cakes would give a better result. The color variety in this yarn is absolutely stunning, and YarnArt even offers a few patterns on their website that pair beautifully with it.

It also feels wonderfully soft on the skin and the garment is also light weight—definitely different from the single-toned cotton yarns I’ve worked with, like Katia Menfis or Drops Safran. The gradient texture gives it a smoother, more flowing feel, which makes it especially nice for wearables.

Endless Possibilities: What to Make with Cake Yarns

When I first bought this yarn, I wasn’t sure what to make with it. After a few days of thinking (and some YouTube tutorials), I came across beautiful gradient shawl ideas—and that’s when inspiration struck!

With just one cake, you can create a medium-sized shawl that wraps comfortably around your neck, or even a full-sized mesh shawl. If you have two cakes, the possibilities open up—you could make a poncho or even a half-sleeve top, though keeping the gradient consistent can be a little tricky. I have recently seen a lot of people make hexagon cardigan or shirt with gradient yarns and for this you will need about 2 cakes each for a panel of the cardigan.

This yarn also works wonderfully for decorative projects like mandala wall hangings, vibrant rugs or doily, where the gradual colour changes really stand out.

Wrapping It Up (Literally!) 😉

Depending on where you live, it can sometimes be tricky to find the exact colorway you’re looking for. Soon, I plan to try out Hobbii Sultan and Scheepjes Whirl, and I’ll update this post with a comparison once I’ve worked with them. From what I’ve seen so far, both of these yarns are more expensive than YarnArt Bouquet, even though the fiber characteristics are quite similar. That’s another reason I think Bouquet is such a great value option if you want to try gradient yarns without spending too much.

I’m also sharing a picture of my shawl here so you can see just how stunning the gradient effect is. That said, I actually plan to unravel this project and turn it into a cozy scarf for autumn—and I’ll definitely share the process in a vlog on my YouTube channel so stay tuned.

Thanks for reading, and I hope this helps you on your next yarn adventure!