Knitting with Sparkle Yarn: How to Work with Stellina & Glitter Thread
If colorways were moods, we think sparkle yarn would capture the effervescent quality of delight. Sparkle yarn gets its shimmer from Stellina, a fine metallic thread spun into the yarn, not sequins or glued-on glitter. We spin Stellina into two bases: Sparkle Fingering (75/20/5 Superwash Merino/Nylon/Stellina, 2-ply, 438 yards/100g) and Sparkle DK (same 75/20/5 blend, but 4-ply, 231 yards/100g). You can knit our glitter yarn solo for all-over shimmer, or hold it double with a solid-color base to add a subtle glimmer. We think it looks best shown off in simple stitch patterns — stockinette, garter, and basic ribbing — so the sparkle is the star. In this post, we'll cover what Stellina actually is, how to knit with it, and what to make with it. Let's shimmy!
What Is Stellina, and How Is It Different from Glitter or Sequins?
A lot of stitchers ask us what Stellina is. We like to first clarify what it's not. It's not sequins. It's not glued-on glitter. Stellina is actually a fine metallic strand plied directly into the yarn during spinning. Because it's spun in, the sparkle is permanent, so it will wash and wear like the rest of the yarn. That means no flaking and no shedding. (Woohoo!) We also get asked if it is itchy, but it is not. The Stellina strand is so thin that you can hardly feel it. Both our Stellina bases are superwash — so the care is the same for our standard Fingering/DK (hand wash gently and lay flat to dry).
Our Sparkle Fingering base is a 2-ply blend of 75/20/5 Superwash Merino/Nylon/Stellina, measuring at 438 yards/100 grams. (Discover these beautiful skeins when you explore our Sparkle Fingering collection.) Our Sparkle DK base, on the other hand, is a 4-ply blend of 75/20/5 Superwash Merino/Nylon/Stellina, measuring at 231 yards/100 grams. (Peruse our lovely Sparkle DK collection to see all the pretty options.) If you want the full base-by-base spec sheet across our whole catalog, not just sparkle, check out our Fiber Information page.
How to Knit with Sparkle Yarn — Solo vs. Holding It Double
Something we love about our hand-dyed sparkle yarn is how you can knit it solo for substantial shimmer, or hold it double with a solid-color base to add some subtle glimmer in your project.
Sparkle Fingering or Sparkle DK knit on its own gives an all-over, consistent shimmer. This is ideal when you want the sparkle itself to be the design feature. Imagine a glittery accent scarf, socks, or a simple shawl. (Feeling inspired? Find a skein you like in our Sparkle Fingering collection.)
A quick troubleshooting tip: if you feel like your project is giving too much sparkle when you're using our glitter yarn solo, don't frog it. If you want the sparkle to be more subtle, here's the simple held double / carried along technique: hold a strand of Sparkle Fingering alongside a solid-color skein from our Fingering collection, DK collection, or Sport collection for a soft glimmer. It's a beautiful look that will make your project seem like there's light shining through (it kind of reminds us of how sunlight can glow through curtains and illuminate the fabric). A friendly word of caution: we do not recommend making this change without careful thought, planning, and gauging for technical patterns like sweaters where sizing really matters.
Some more practical tips from our dye studio: Your needle size may need to go up half a size to keep the fabric from stiffening. If you feel like the sparkle is too subtle when it's held double, size up to Sparkle DK for a bolder thread. And a quick texture note: the metallic strand can catch slightly on rougher wood needles, so you may want to experiment with smoother ones.
What to Make with Sparkle Yarn — Projects That Show It Off
If you want the best stitch patterns for showing off sparkle, go with stockinette and garter. These allow for the maximum surface area for the thread to catch light. You should also try simple ribbing for accessories. For larger yarnovers, use a basic lace stitch, so sparkle peeks through the holes without competing with a busy stitch pattern. We also love choosing darker colors to work with! More than your stitches, darker colors can make sparkle yarn really magical.
If you're going to make something with Sparkle Fingering, make some socks, a shawl, or lightweight accessories. They will look amazing! When you're ready, feel free to look through our small batch Sparkle Fingering collection to find your favorite skeins.
If you're going to use Sparkle DK, you'll want a project where there's more structure to compensate for a bolder shimmer. We think you'll love how this yarn shows up in hats, mitts, and cowls. Feel free to browse the beautiful colorways in our Sparkle DK collection when you're ready for ideas!
FAQ
What is sparkle yarn made of?
Sparkle yarn is made of Superwash Merino and Nylon with a small percentage of Stellina, a fine metallic thread spun into the yarn. (We blend 75/20/5 Merino/Nylon/Stellina in both Sparkle Fingering and Sparkle DK). The shimmer is part of the spun strand itself — it's not from glitter or sequins.
Can I hold sparkle yarn together with a solid color?
Yes — holding a strand of Sparkle Fingering or Sparkle DK alongside a solid Fingering, DK, or Sport base adds a subtle glimmer without making the whole project read as "sparkly." Tension and gauge shift slightly with two strands held together, so make sure you swatch first.
What's the difference between Sparkle Fingering and Sparkle DK?
Both use the same 75/20/5 Superwash Merino/Nylon/Stellina blend. Sparkle Fingering is a 2-ply sock-weight yarn at 438 yards/100g, while Sparkle DK is a 4-ply at 231 yards/100g — a slightly thicker, faster-knitting base with the same shimmer.
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