Zauberball

Zauberball, German for "magic ball," is Schoppel's original color-changing sock yarn: 75% virgin wool and 25% biodegradable nylon, with 437 yards (400 meters) in a single 100 g ball.

The colors shift gradually along the length of the yarn, so the stripes and transitions build as you knit and every sock comes out a little different. One ball is enough for a pair of socks or a shawl with no joins to weave in. The 16 colorways have names like Blue Lagoon, Party Sky and A Bed of Fuchsia.

It's for knitters and crocheters who like watching color unfold without managing several balls, and for anyone who wants a sturdy fingering weight with nylon for wear.

Best for

• Socks
• Gradient shawls and scarves
• Lightweight sweaters with long color shifts
• Home accessories

Working with it

Schoppel suggests US 0–2.5 (2–3 mm) needles for 30 stitches and 42 rows in stockinette to 4 inches. If you want two matching socks, wind the ball into two equal halves and start both from the same point in the color sequence; if you don't mind fraternal socks, just knit straight from the ball. On a shawl, the color changes follow the rows, so wider rows stretch the bands out. A digital scale makes splitting the ball easy.

Care

Schoppel lists hand or machine wash up to 30°C (86°F) on a wool cycle, with wool detergent and no softener. Dry flat or on a sock blocker.