Caron United yarn made in America

• I am always proud of the fact that Caron made Simply Soft in the United States
• Caron has introduced a new yarn that is also made in the U.S.%2C and 15-cents of every skein sold goes to the Children of Fallen Patriots Fund to for scholarships

If you read my blog, you know that I am a big fan of Caron Simply Soft.

I have a huge amount of it in my stash, and I use it for most of the winter-weight sweaters I make for myself. I love the texture, the colors, the price and the fact that it is machine-washable. A lot of my friends who are self-proclaimed yarn snobs have actually complimented me on some of my Simply Soft sweaters, not knowing that it is acrylic yarn. They are shocked that it looks so good and that I would even use such yarn, but I do.

I am always proud of the fact that Caron made Simply Soft in the United States. I may not be a yarn snob who uses only natural-fiber yarns, but at least I can use American-made yarn most of the time.

A few years ago, Caron was sold to SpinRite, the Canadian company that produces yarns under the Patons, Bernat, Lily Sugar 'N Cream and Peaches & Cream lables. Spinrite had acquired most of those companies fairly recently (they leased the Patons brand from Coates & Clark some years ago), and I believe Spinrite has become the largest producer of yarn in North America. I was delighted to read that Spinrite agreed to keep the Caron yarn mill in North Carolina and even renovated and upgraded it, preserving jobs in the U.S. instead of exporting them to Canada. Simply Soft users held their breaths for a while as it seemed that Simply Soft stocks in the big-box stores were shrinking, but I've been finding that in Central Jersey, the yarn has returned to its former levels of availability, and there are often good sales for it.

Now, Caron has introduced a new yarn that is very similar to Simply Soft, and it's also made in the U.S. In fact, 15-cents of every skein sold goes to the Children of Fallen Patriots Fund to give scholarships to the children of military personnel who have been killed in the line of duty. You may have already seen it in Central Jersey stores.

What follows are five questions that I emailed to Caron officials and their responses about this new yarn. The company did not identify a specific spokesman. My questions are in bold.

Q. Many of my readers are big fans of Caron Simply Soft. Is there much difference between Simply Soft and Caron United? Are they the same weight and fiber? Can they be used together in the same project?

Caron United and Caron Simply Soft are two unique yarns. While they may appear to be similar, how they knit and crochet is very different due to the different fibers used in each yarn, as well as the gauges. Caron United is 17sts on a 5mm needle (U.S. size 8 knitting needle) while Caron Simply Soft is 18sts on 5mm needle. Our preference is that you don't compare them, but rather say, "From the makers of Caron Simply Soft, Caron United is a dynamic, worsted weight yarn – ideal for knitting and crochet afghans, garments, and warm accessories. It has a modern shade range, crisp and clean, perfect for color mixing or vibrant one-color solid projects. Caron United will be a family favorite for fun, everyday washable projects or cherished heirlooms."

2. Where does the name "Caron United" come from?

The name "United" is reflective of both 1. American (United is made in America, and the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation is American) and 2. Those using United will be uniting together in the cause of helping to provide educational scholarships for children that have lost a parent in the line of duty.

3. Can you describe the color pallet for Caron United? I have the impression it might be oriented to traditional school colors.

The palette is a range of 17 solids (more shades coming in 2015). While the range covers each shade in the rainbow, as well as classic neutrals, the colors selected are modern fresh hues. Crisp, clear color combinations are perfect for knitters and crocheters.

4. Where is Caron United Made? Is it made in the original Caron plant in North Carolina? Yes. Caron United is made in the U.S.A., specifically in Washington, North Carolina.

5.Was Caron United specifically created for scholarships for the children of fallen soldiers? Is there a time limit on this? In other words, does the United yarn need to be purchased by a certain date in order for Spinrite to make the contribution?

We're proud to say that the donation is in perpetuity. Meaning, as long as Caron United skeins continue to be sold, the $0.15 cent donation will apply to every skein sold.

That's the end of the interview.

One last thing I should mention is that acrylic fibers have not been made in the United States for many years. No matter what brand of yarn you are buying, if it is acrylic, the fibers are being made overseas, although many times, the yarn is spun here in the United States. This is true for Caron United or Simply Soft, Lion Brand Yarns, and Red Heart. A lot of acrylic yarn is also spun in Turkey or China. If this matters to you, read the lables to see where the yarn is spun.

Caron has graciously given me permission to reprint one of its free patterns on my blog today. It's a knitted pattern called the Diagonal Stitch Pompom Hat. To print out the pattern, go to https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/life/arts/crafts-hobbies/in-stitches/2014/08/20/free-pattern-from-caron-the-diagonal-stitch-pom-pom-hat-is-knit-in-caron-united/14357665/, or find it via the Life front on www.mycentraljersey.com.

Staff Writer Pamela MacKenzie: 908-243-6616; pmackenzie@MyCentralJersey.com. Read Pam's knitting blog every day, also titled In Stitches, at www.mycentraljersey.com/institches.