Caron Coconut Cakes

As a longtime crocheter and knitter, I’m always on the lookout for exciting new yarns to fuel my hobby. Recently, I discovered Caron Coconut Cakes Yarn, and let me tell you – it was love at first sight! With its scrumptious color gradients and irresistibly soft texture, this yarn has fast become one of my absolute favorites to work with.

If you haven’t heard of Coconut Cakes yet or you’re wondering whether it’s the right yarn for your next project, you’ve come to the right place! Join me as I take a deep dive into everything you need to know before buying and using this fantastic yarn.

A Tropical Twist on Caron Cakes

Caron Cakes first launched a few years back and quickly achieved popularity for their self-striping, gradient cakes of plush acrylic yarn. Coconut Cakes puts a fresh spin on the original formula with new colors inspired by tropical destinations. Just looking at the rich, saturated hues is like taking a vacation in skein form!

As with the original Cakes yarns, Coconut Cakes has a color progression that stripes automatically as you work through the yarn. No need to change colors manually. The 100% acrylic fiber also gives projects made with Coconut Cakes excellent stitch definition, drape, and lasting durability.

Let’s Go Coconuts! – Finding the Best Places to Buy

Since Coconut Cakes launched in 2020, it’s become more widely available both online and in craft stores. Here are some of my go-to spots for snagging this in-demand yarn:

• Michael’s – This crafting giant carries Coconut Cakes both on their website and in most retail locations. Browse their selection of colors in person or online.
• Joann – Similar to Michael’s, Joann stocks Coconut Cakes in stores and online in a variety of colorways. Sales and coupons are common too!
• Yarn.com – For a wide selection all in one place, Yarn.com has you covered. Bundles, individual skeins, and pattern suggestions make it easy.
• Amazon – Search Amazon for Coconut Cakes to find competitive prices and options for fast, free shipping if you’re in a pinch.
• Yarnspirations – As Caron’s specialty site, you can shop directly from Coconut Cakes here. Patterns and inspiration too!
• Local Yarn Shops – Call your friendly neighborhood yarn stores to see if they carry this in demand yarn. Support local when you can!

Decadent Softness You Can Feel

Now for the best part – the yarn itself! Coconut Cakes has an incredible marshmallow-soft texture that crochets and knits into sumptuous, drapey fabric. The acrylic fiber provides just enough bounce without feeling heavy.

Stitch definition is fantastic, allowing lace, cables, and textured stitches to really pop. The yarn almost seems to glow or shimmer in a mesmerizing way. Trust me, you won’t be able to stop petting your finished projects!

Demystifying the Specs

Before we get to the fun stuff, let’s break down the nitty gritty specs of this yarn:

• Yardage: Approximately 200 yards per 5 oz cake
• Weight: Medium weight, or size 4 yarn
• Material: 100% acrylic
• Care: Machine washable and dryable

The generous 200 yard cakes give you plenty of yarn to create all kinds of accessories and garments without having to buy too many skeins. The weight hits a nice sweet spot between light and heavy. You won’t feel bogged down when working through Stitch after stitch.

Being acrylic, Coconut Cakes holds up well to machine washing and drying. Pieces made from it should maintain their shape and feel after many wears and washes, which is perfect for gifts, kids’ items, and accessories that need easy care.

More Than a Pretty Face -ideal projects

Now that you know what makes Coconut Cakes tick, let’s talk about the best ways to use it! Here are some of my favorite projects for showing off those color gradients and delectably soft acrylic:

• Cowls – With a single cake, you can make a gorgeously cozy cowl that highlights the yarn’s colors. Maybe I’m biased since I’ve made quite a few of these!
• Cropped Tops – Work up a stylishly cropped top or sweater with 2 or 3 cakes in fun summery colors. The colors and textures really elevate a simple silhouette.
• Throw Blankets – For the ultimate snuggly statement piece, a virus shawl or throw blanket in Coconut Cakes can’t be beat. Plan on 5 or 6 cakes.
• Beach Bags – Make a roomy, lightweight tote bag to take to the pool or beach all summer long. Go bright and tropical!
• Convertible Mitts – Fingerless mitts that convert to full gloves are handy year-round. Use for gifts or make a bunch to stock up your collection.
• Bralette or Bikini – For my fellow adventurous yarn crafters, try your hand at a crochet bralette or bikini set! Coconut Cakes adds a playful look.

Patterns Galore for Coconut Cakes

Luckily for us yarn obsessives, there are tons of free patterns available featuring Caron Coconut Cakes. The yarn companies, independent designers, bloggers and Etsy sellers have been busy creating trendy, summery patterns to showcase these yummy colors.

A quick Ravelry search will give you hundreds of patterns to choose from. You can also find pattern inspiration on sites like Yarnspirations, LoveCrochet, and AllFreeCrochet. Use Coconut Cakes for patterns labeled for #4 medium weight yarns, or substitute it into any pattern you love to make it your own.

How Much Yarn Do Your Need? A Quick Guide

One of the trickiest parts of starting a new yarn project is estimating how much yarn you’ll actually need. Here are my personal rules of thumb for how many 200 yard cakes to purchase for common projects:

• Cowls & Scarves: 1 cake
• Hats: 1 cake
• Sleeveless Tops & Vests: 2-3 cakes
• Cardigans & Sweaters: 4-6 cakes
• Blankets & Throws: 5-7 cakes
• Beach Bags & Totes: 3-4 cakes

Keep in mind, these numbers vary a lot depending on your pattern, size/dimensions, and how tightly you crochet or knit. When in doubt, grab an extra skein so you don’t run out halfway through your project – you can always use it for something else later if you don’t need it.

All the Pretty Colors!

Now for the best part – seeing all the gorgeous colors and color combos you can work with in Coconut Cakes yarn!

Some of my personal faves include:

• Tropic Breeze – serene blues of the ocean and sky
• Margarita – citrusy yellows, greens and oranges
• Strawberry Daiquiri – pinks ranging from soft to neon
• Piña Colada – cream to caramel shades
• Maui Sunset – fiery tones of orange, coral and red

With 16 options and counting, there’s a Coconut Cakes color gradient for every taste. Visit the Caron website to see all the current colors available. I can’t wait to collect them all!

Comparison Shopping: Coconut Cakes vs Other Caron Cakes

As a Caron fan, I was curious how Coconut Cakes would stack up against the rest of the Caron Cakes family. Overall, my assessment is:

• Colors/Themes – Coconut Cakes has vacation-inspired hues while the wider Cakes line has a big variety of color schemes.
• Weight – All Caron Cakes are medium weight #4 yarns. Coconut Cakes matches the others.
• Yardage – With 200 yards per cake, Coconut Cakes has 25% more yardage than the regular Cakes at about 160 yards.
• Texture – Coconut Cakes may feel a tiny bit softer straight out of the wrapper compared to other Cakes yarns.

For me, the coordinating colors, extra yardage, and irresistible softness make Coconut Cakes stand out from the crowd. But any of the Caron Cakes are wonderful for self-striping projects. Collect them all!

Hook and Needle Suggestions for Coconut Cakes

To get your best stitching results with Coconut Cakes yarn, make sure you choose your hook and needle sizes accordingly:

• Crochet Hook: H/8 (5 mm) or I/9 (5.5 mm)
• Knitting Needles: US size 6 to 8 needles

The yarn’s medium weight is on the bulkier side, so smaller hooks or needles may create too stiff of fabric. Larger tools help create that signature drape. Go up or down a hook size as needed to match your gauge.

If substituting Coconut Cakes for a different yarn, do a quick swatch with the suggested hook or needle size first. Adjust as needed to match the pattern’s gauge.

Caring for Your Coconut Cakes Creations

Since Coconut Cakes is 100% acrylic, caring for finished pieces is a breeze. Here are few care guidelines to keep your projects looking their best:

• Machine wash cold and tumble dry low to avoid pilling or distorting stitches.
• Avoid high heat from dryers, irons or steamers to prevent scorching.
• Block pieces before seaming to help shapes hold.
• Spot clean or hand wash delicates to preserve details like lace or colorwork.
• Store unused yarn cakes away from direct light, heat, or humidity to prevent dye bleed.

With basic care, Coconut Cakes acrylic holds up well over time. Any pills that develop can be gently removed with a sweater shaver or fabric trimmer.

Skill Level: Beginner Friendly

Here’s one more reason to love Caron Coconut Cakes – its versatility for makers of all skill levels! The blend is forgiving to work with and the colors disguise any small mistakes.

As your first big project or your hundredth, Coconut Cakes makes the process smooth and the finished piece irresistibly squishy. It’s the perfect yarn for trying more advanced techniques like cables, lace, or colorwork without too much stress.

Even beginners can dive right in to make something simple yet satisfying. Start with a cowl or scarf to get your feet wet before moving onto larger garments or accessories.

Rave Reviews from Fellow Makers

Before I end this love letter to Coconut Cakes yarn, I want to share a couple rave reviews from makers who adore it as much as I do!

Mary stitched up a cute bucket hat and said, “The colors were so vibrant and changed so flawlessly from one to another as I crocheted. People ask me all the time where I bought such a unique hat!”

Anna’s virus shawl turned out fantastic: “Coconut Cakes provides just the right amount of structure and drape to get beautiful results with a delicate pattern like this. I’ll be making more!”

So if you’re looking to add a pop of color and irresistible texture to your next project, grab some Coconut Cakes yarn! With so many possibilities, you can make something new every day of the week. Just don’t blame me when your stash starts overflowing with luscious cakes in every color. Happy hooking!