Caron Latte Cakes Yarn

Finding and Buying This Super Soft Self-Striping Yarn

As an avid crocheter and knitter, I’m always on the lookout for exciting new yarns to fuel my hobby. Lately, I’ve become obsessed with Caron Latte Cakes Yarn – it’s the perfect yarn for cozy, textured projects that have a beautiful self-striping color effect. If you haven’t discovered Latte Cakes yet, you’re in for a treat!

In this in-depth buying guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about this luscious yarn, where to find it, how much it costs, the yardage, weight, fiber content, and color selection. I’ll also provide tips on the best projects for Latte Cakes, whether you need multiple skeins, and how it compares to other Caron Cakes varieties. Read on for the full scoop on this delightful yarn so you can create stunning handmade items!

Where to Buy Caron Latte Cakes Yarn

The good news is that Caron Latte Cakes have become widely available at major craft and big box stores. Check the yarn selections at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, Joann Fabrics, Walmart, and Amazon. I prefer buying yarn in person so I can touch and feel the texture, but you may be able to find better deals online.

If you have a local yarn or craft shop near you, definitely ask if they carry this yarn line. Specialty yarn stores often have a broader range of colors and stock than the larger chains. They’re also a great resource if you need help selecting the perfect yarn for a project.

Many online independent dyers and specialty yarn stores sell Caron Latte Cakes as well. Etsy in particular has hundreds of independent shops that carry this yarn line. Ordering from an indie dyer is a great way to support small businesses and get unique colorways you won’t find anywhere else.

How Much Does Caron Latte Cakes Yarn Cost?

The standard retail price for one skein of Caron Latte Cakes is $9.99 – $12.99. However, you can often find sales, coupon deals, buy one get one free promotions, and other discounts at major retailers to cut down that price. Sign up for loyalty programs and email lists to get notified of deals.

I’d recommend not paying more than $10 per skein if you can avoid it. Be on the lookout for sales, clearance yarn, and coupon codes when restocking your stash. Buying in bulk online can also lower the cost per skein.

The better value often comes from independent dyers on Etsy or specialty yarn shops. Many offer skeins in the $8-$12 range and you get amazing hand-dyed color combinations. For the beautiful results this yarn creates, it’s worth investing a bit more per skein.

Yardage and Weight of Caron Latte Cakes

Each skein of Caron Latte Cakes has 463 yards of super bulky weight yarn. The yarn weight classification is category 6 on the standard yarn weight system.

This substantial yardage means you may only need 1-3 skeins for many project types depending on the size. For example, you can make an adult-sized hat or cowl with just one skein in most cases. A pillow cover or baby blanket may only take 2 skeins.

The super bulky weight creates beautifully thick, cozy finished pieces. It works up quickly on larger crochet hooks and knitting needles too. If you want to make something like an oversized blanket or sweater, plan on purchasing around 5-6 skeins to have plenty of yardage.

Fiber Content and Materials

Caron Latte Cakes consists of 100% acrylic yarn. Acrylic fibers are manufactured from synthetic petroleum-based polymers. The acrylic gives Caron Latte Cakes a soft, warm, fluffy texture that almost mimics a wool or alpaca feel.

Acrylic yarn offers some nice benefits including being machine washable, resistant to shrinkage, and preventing finished pieces from getting misshapen. The colors also hold extremely well over time without fading. This makes Caron Latte Cakes a great choice for accessories, home decor items, kid’s items, and clothing that needs easy care.

Some downsides of acrylic yarn can be that it doesn’t breathe as well as natural fibers, may generate static, and has a slight plastic feel. Using a fabric softener when washing can help soften the yarn and reduce static. Overall, Caron does a nice job giving Latte Cakes a plush feel despite the synthetic fiber content.

The Color Palette and Variegation

One of the things that draws me to Caron Latte Cakes is the absolutely gorgeous colorways! This line comes in 28 rich, saturated hues that range from bold brights to deeper tones like plum, navy, eggplant, and olive.

Caron also releases limited edition color collections periodically. Some recent examples include themed mixes like Cancun Getaway with beachy tones and Sundae Funday with creamy pastels.

Every skein of Latte Cakes has a self-striping, variegated effect. The colors gradually transition every few rows when crocheting or knitting to give a beautiful ombre look. You get lovely stripes without having to do any extra work!

Some of my favorite shades are the Latte Handlebar which has creamy latte shades, Pistachio Cream Dream for minty goodness, and Caramel Macchiato for cappuccino-inspired browns. The color names are just as fun as the yarn itself.

Projects and Patterns Suited for This Yarn

The thickness and coziness of Caron Latte Cakes make this yarn perfect for chilly weather accessories and home decor. I especially love using it for hats, cowls, shawls, scarves, blankets, pillows, rugs, and baskets. The self-striping effect adds beautiful visual interest to each piece.

This yarn works up quickly so makes fast, satisfying projects you can finish in a weekend. The colors and texture lend themselves beautifully to boho, farmhouse, Nordic, and rustic style projects.

You can find lots of free online patterns on Ravelry, YouTube, and craft blogs tailored specifically for Latte Cakes yarn. Caron’s website also has a pattern section with suggestions to match their yarn lines. Don’t be afraid to substitute this yarn into almost any super bulky weight pattern too!

How Many Skeins for a Blanket?

One question I often get is how much Latte Cakes yarn is needed to make a blanket. This depends on if you want a baby blanket, lap blanket, or full/queen sized afghan. For reference:

• Baby blanket: 2-3 skeins
• Lap blanket: 3-4 skeins
• Twin or full size afghan: 5-7 skeins
• Queen/king afghan: 7-10 skeins

The great thing about the self-striping effect is that your color transitions will be beautiful and fluid when working with multiple skeins. Just be sure to alternate skeins every few rows to distribute the color in an appealing way. You may get some similar color patches by using skeins from the same dye lot.

Always buy all the yarn at once that you need for blankets and large projects so you don’t run into issues with color consistency across skeins.

Perfect for Scarves, Shawls, and Wraps

In addition to blankets, Latte Cakes is an amazing yarn for triangular shawls, long scarves, cowls, and ponchos. A single skein can make a really generously sized scarf 6+ feet long. You’ll get beautiful ombre variations along the length.

For a shawl, 2 or 3 skeins makes a good medium to large size. Shawls work well to highlight the color gradations as rows get progressively added. A super bulky cowl may only take a skein or less depending on the circumference you want.

The benefit of Latte Cakes for these projects is that the thick yarn works up quickly and gives you a wonderfully plush, cozy feel when wrapped up. The self-striping pattern makes everything look interesting and textured.

Does It Have a True Self-Striping Effect?

Caron Latte Cakes lives up to its name when it comes to the self-striping color effect. The variegations are built right into the yarn, so the colors automatically transition every few rows as you work without any extra effort.

Some colorways have longer sections of the same hue before changing, while others shift every 1-2 rows for frequent stripes. Either way, you end up with nice sections of colors that graduate evenly from shade to shade.

The color patterning is very consistent compared to hand-painted variegated yarns. Caron uses a special manufacturing process to precisely control the color changes in the yarn strand.

Just watch in delight as each row adds new colors and your work progresses! The self-striping makes projects like blankets and scarves look incredibly dynamic.

How It Compares to Other Caron Cakes

Caron Latte Cakes is part of the Caron Cakes family of self-striping yarns. The original Caron Cakes come in worsted weight, while Latte Cakes are super bulky.

Other varieties include Caron x Pantone in worsted weight, and the thinner Caron Cotton Cakes. Latte Cakes has a similar feel to the original Caron Cakes but in a thicker gauge.

I prefer the Latte Cakes because the super bulky texture adds faster results and more plushness. The Chroma type provides longer color runs before transitioning, while Latte Cakes changes more frequently. I think the Latte Cakes colorways are some of the prettiest and most vibrant too.

No matter which you choose, any of the Caron Cakes yarns are wonderful for beginners. The self-striping makes them automatic gradient yarns perfect for crafters at any skill level.

Recommended Needle and Hook Sizes

The suggested needle size range for Caron Latte Cakes is US 13 – 15 for knitting, and N (9 mm) – Q (15 mm) for crochet hooks.

For crochet, I like using a US K/10.5 or 10.75 hook which gives a nice drape and definition. The thicker hooks like N-P work well too and will create a looser gauge for faster projects.

For knitting, US 13 or 15 needles are ideal. You can use 15s to intentionally create a more open, lacy gauge if desired. Just make sure you do a test swatch to match the gauge of any pattern you use. Having the right size needles for your tension is key.

The yarn’s thickness and fuzziness means sizing up at least several hook sizes compared to the yarn’s weight classification. The fluffy texture glides nicely even on the larger hooks and needles though, so don’t be intimidated by the bigger tool sizes!

Caring for Your Items Made with Caron Latte Cakes

One amazing feature of Caron Latte Cakes yarn is that it’s super washable and colorfast! Acrylic fibers allow the yarn and finished pieces to be machine washed and dried without damaging, distorting, or running colors.

Wash items on a gentle cycle with cool water and mild detergent. Lay flat or hang to dry to maintain the best shape. The yarn can be machine dried on low as well, but air drying helps reduce excess fuzziness.

These machine wash and dry properties make Caron Latte Cakes fantastic for everyday accessories, blankets, clothing, and kids’ items that need easy care. You don’t have to worry about special washing requirements.

I still recommend handwashing delicate projects or ones with special shaping like lace shawls. Handle gently and lay flat to dry. The yarn is durable but handwashing extends the life of intricate pieces.

Shedding and Pilling

Like many fuzzy acrylic and wool-blend yarns, Caron Latte Cakes does experience some shedding, especially when new. You’ll see little lint pieces come off as you crochet or knit. This tends to diminish after the first wash.

Pilling is minimal as long as you’re careful not to handle projects too roughly. Use a fabric shaver if needed to remove any surface pilling.

Overall, shedding and pilling is about average for a yarn of this type. The soft fluffiness makes it worth dealing with a little extra lint. Proper washing and care will keep projects looking their best.

Is This Yarn Beginner Friendly?

Caron Latte Cakes is an excellent yarn choice for beginners for many reasons! The self-striping effect requires no special techniques to achieve gorgeous color variations. The colors evenly transition on their own.

The super bulky weight creates fast, easy projects that don’t require mastering fine gauge work. The stitches also show up clearly.

This yarn is very forgiving to work with. The fluffy texture hides any small mistakes nicely in the finished fabric. The 100% acrylic fiber allows for easy care without distorting.

I’d recommend this yarn for someone just learning crochet or knitting who wants to complete scarves, blankets, hats, pillows, baskets, and other beginner-friendly pieces with flair. Experienced crafters love it too for the beautiful colors and coziness.

Reviews and Feedback

Overall, Caron Latte Cakes receives consistently positive reviews and feedback from the crochet and knitting community. People love the vibrant self-striping colors, soft texture, and ease of care.

Many reviews mention using this yarn for baby items and blankets because of the machine washability and durability. People love the thickness and warmth for winter accessories like hats, cowls and mittens. Negative reviews are very minimal.

On a scale of 1 to 5, I’d rate Caron Latte Cakes a solid 5 out of 5 stars. I haven’t been disappointed by any of the colors I’ve worked with so far. It truly makes fun, foolproof projects for crafters of every experience level.

Where to Find This Yarn on Sale

Sign up for alerts and check circulars for sales at major retailers like Michael’s, Joann’s, Hobby Lobby, and Walmart. Michael’s frequently runs yarn sales, as does Hobby Lobby.

Watch for sitewide discounts and special sale events around holidays at online retailers like LoveCrafts, Wool Warehouse, and Amazon. Create wishlists so you’re notified of price drops.

Check Etsy and Ravelry destash groups where people often sell unused skeins at a discount. Browse craft swap and resale sites like Mercari as well.

For the best selection, head to your local yarn stores and craft fairs. Indie dyers will sometimes have overstock on sale. You can score beautiful colorways at great prices this way.

Wrapping Up My Love For Caron Latte Cakes Yarn

I hope this thorough guide covered everything you need to know about Caron Latte Cakes yarn before adding it to your crafting stash! If you’re looking for a quick, colorful, beginner-friendly yarn, this is hands-down one of my favorites.

The outrageously soft texture, beautifully rich self-striping colors, ample yardage, and easy care make Latte Cakes a real joy to work with. This yarn elevates any project into a stunning statement piece.

Have you tried crocheting or knitting with Caron Latte Cakes yet? I’d love to know about your experiences and see photos of your creations in the comments! Let me know if you have any other questions. I’m always happy to help fellow yarn enthusiasts on their fiber adventures. Cheers and happy crafting!