Product Review: Caron Simply Soft Yarn
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When I started knitting and crocheting, I had no idea what kind of yarn to use. The ladies in my knitting group told to me to get a medium 4 yarn. The brand didn't matter.
As I surveyed the yarn aisle in the Craft & Sewing section of my local Walmart, I was overwhelmed by the choice of products and brand options. Brand doesn't matter? Then why the heck are there so many of them, I wondered?
I settled on Super Savor yarn by Red Heart because it was the cheapest one I could find. Today I would never pick a yarn based solely on its price tag, but at the time, it was the right decision. I was a new knitter and crocheter, which meant that I made a lot of mistakes. I was constantly pulling out rows and reworking them. Sometimes I overstretched or even broke the yarn. It was wise not invest too much initially.
As I became more experienced, I began experimenting with other yarns. Sometimes I wanted softer yarns, thicker or thinner yarns, and even sparkly yarns. One of my favorite yarns is Caron Simply Soft and that's the yarn I'd like to review for you today.
Please note that I do not work for the Caron company nor am I being compensated for this article. I am simply a user of the Caron Simply Soft yarn and would like to give my honest opinion of the product.
Product Review Summary
- Weight: Worsted medium 4
- Material: 100% acrylic
- Colors: Multiple
- Texture: Soft
- Price range: $4.00-$7.00 per skein
- Amount per skein: 141.7g/5-oz (Approx 228 m/250 yds) or 170.1g/6-oz (Approx 288 m/315 yds)
Pros:
- Soft enough to use for some baby projects
- Multiple color schemes available
- Lustrous sheen
- Easy to work with
- Cheaper than some other yarns of similar quality
Cons:
- More expensive than some brands of differing quality
- May have lots of knots
- Requires more skeins for the same project than some other brands
- Thinner than other medium 4 yarns
Possible alternatives:
- Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice
- Red Heart Soft
- knit picks Brava
- I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby
Caron Simply Soft is a 100% acrylic worsted medium 4 weight yarn available in multiple colors schemes. I typically use what I consider "classic" or "royal" colors like Autumn Red and Plum Perfect, but there are also bright colors and pastels as well. It is also, as stated in its name, a soft yarn. In fact, the reason I initially bought this yarn was because I wanted to make some baby items in Seattle Seahawks colors. If you know anything about yarns specifically designed for baby projects, then you know that they do not come in Seahawk colors. I needed yarns in navy blue, gray, white, and bright lime green, but they also needed to be soft and gentle enough for a baby's delicate skin. Caron Simply Soft had the colors and texture I needed, albeit, the yarn is a bit thicker than what is usually used in baby projects. An added bonus is that this yarn has a lustrous sheen that I love. It makes my projects seem richer, more elegant. Caron simply soft yarn slides smoothly on a crochet hook or knitting needles making it very easy to use with little or no snags.
I truly enjoy working with this yarn, but that does not mean that it's not without its pitfalls. You only get 5 to 6-oz per skein, but it costs a bit more than some other brands. For instance, you can find Caron Simply Soft at Wal-Mart for about $4.00-$7.00, but Red Heart Super Savor is only about $2.00-$3.00 for 10-oz. On the whole, Caron Simply Soft is more expensive and will need more skeins to complete the same project when compared to Red Heart Super Savor, but this isn't a fair comparison because the yarns are of different qualities. If you compare Caron Simply Soft to brands of similar qualities like Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice or Red Heart Soft, then Caron Simply Soft is actually less expensive. Vanna's Choice typically runs $3.99-$7.00 for 2.5-oz to 3.5-oz and Red Heart Soft is about $4.99-$6.00 for a 4-oz or 5-oz skein, of course, I am not including sale prices in this comparison. If you find any of these three brands at a discount, I say snap them up!
One thing I'd like to note is that Caron Simply soft seems to be the thinnest worsted medium 4 with which I have ever worked, even compared to Vanna's Choice or Red Heart Soft. This could mean that you may have to adjust your project gauge because your stitches may be smaller (or larger if you are creating a baby item, because in this case, the yarn is actually a little thicker than the norm), although I have successfully made multiple projects without having to do this so far. Just keep this in mind if you decide to use Caron Simply Soft yarn.
Another thing to keep in mind, and honestly, this would be a deal breaker for me if I didn't love the product so much, is that I have found that the skeins are usually more knotted than other brands. What I mean by this is that when I pull the end of the yarn out of the middle of one end of the skein, it pulls out in one big knotted lump or is sometimes so knotted that it won't pull out at all. I have spent hours untangling the knots before I have even made one stitch in my project! One time I decided to make a bunch of football beanies for babies while on a 14-hour road trip and four of the six skeins I used had this issue. Can you imagine trying untangle yarn while jammed packed in a car while on the road? Frustrated doesn't cover how I felt. Angry is more like it. So angry, in fact, that I almost contacted the Caron Company to complain. Now folks, you may argue that this was simply a case of bad luck, and I would agree with you, if this was an isolated incident, but it's not. This knotty issue has occurred more often with Caron Simply Soft than with any other yarn I have ever used and let me tell you folks, I have used A LOT of yarn. To me it seems as if Caron makes a good product, but fails to wrap it into a skein properly.
If this is an issue that's above and beyond what you'd care to deal with, there are some alternative brands you could try. Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice and Red Heart Soft are two I have previously noted in this review. I have read that knit picks Brava and I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby are also suitable choices, but I have no personal experience with them.
Overall, I feel that if Caron could fix the knot issue, then their Simply Soft brand may be the best yarn of its type that I have tried so far. It is affordably priced when compared to similar yarns and is available in a multitude of colors and patterns. It's softness, shine, and ease of use makes it great for both knit and crochet works. It is so soft that I often use it for baby projects, despite the fact that it is a little thicker than yarn typically used for baby items.
Here is a picture of a baby set I made with Caron Simply Soft yarn in Seattle Seahawks colors.
It turned out quite lovely, don't you think?
By the way, if you are looking to purchase Caron Simply Soft or any of the other brands of yarn mentioned in this review, you can find them on Amazon in varying price ranges, some higher and some lower than you can find in a brick and mortar store. Click on the following links to be directed to Amazon.
Caron Simply Soft yarn Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Red Heart Soft knit picks Brava yarn
I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby
NOTE: These are affiliate links. If you buy an item via these links I will receive a small compensation, which is necessary for the upkeep of this blog.
If you decide to try Caron Simply Soft after this review or already use it, please leave a comment and tell us what you think!
Until next time, happy crafting!
I love this yarn…..used it for years and haven’t been sorry. Nice colors and it washes beautifully. Nice product.
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for stopping by and for your comment. I still use it too and have been fortunate to have had very little issue with knots in the last few years! 🙂
Best wishes,
RaeLynn
I quit buying this yarn, about a year ago. You buy 4 ply you expect 4 ply and consistently in the weight from start to finish of each skein. I started a blanket for my grandson. Four differences colors, 4 skeins of each color. Nope the only color of the 4 different colors that even came close to consistent 4 ply was the white. I had to use double strands of each of the other 3 to even come close to the 4 ply. Tried to contact the company, the store is bought it at refused to help except to push buying more yarn. Never heard back from this company. Not only lousy yarn but zero customer service. This post will not get up loaded because of the bad comments, but I have posted on a few of the crochet groups on line and the consensus is the same as mine. Do NOT WAST YOUR MONEY ON THIS YARN.
Hi Carol,
I am so sorry you've had such a bad experience with this yarn! It sounds like the worst was your customer service experience. I believe Caron was bought out by Yarnspirations and I don't have any experience with them. For me the yarn is still valuable. I love it's sheen and it produces beautiful stitch definition so I use it a lot for stitch tutorials.
I honestly haven't had a ton of knots in years, but I know it does happens a lot.
Also, you are absolutely correct. This is a thinner 4ply yarn, closer to a DK or a lightweight yarn versus a worsted. So, yes, you may have to use 2 strands (making it technically 8-ply) to get closer to a true worsted yarn. This is important to note (as I do) when designing a pattern with it. If you are familiar with this yarn as crocheter, you can also keep this in mind if you choose to use it for your projects.
Best wishes,
RaeLynn
I bought 3 Caron donut balls of yarn. The first one knitted up beautifully. The second one has been a nightmare. It started tangling almost from the beginning. I knit one row then spend 20 minutes to try to untangle the next row. The strands are stitching together. I am thinking of throwing the third one away….very disappointed.
Hi Jeannie,
Oh I am so sorry to hear that! It is disappointing, isn't it? Such beautiful yarn, but if you are unlucky enough to get one that is knotted up - it can be such a mess!
Thanks so much for weighing in.
Best wishes,
RaeLynn
Thank You, so much, for all this information - comparing softness and prices is just what I was looking for. I'm crocheting blankets for Project Linus. I have been using Simply Soft but getting it "on sale" in the colors I want has been difficult, so I was looking for alternatives. I'm making a list of your suggestions.
I have, apparently, been extremely fortunate and have not had the "knotting" problem that you encountered. As I start the next blanket with Sunshine Yellow, here's hoping!
By the way, I'm in Sequim, fellow Washingtonian.
Thanks, again!
Hi Diane,
I am so glad you found this article helpful! I love project Linus! I bet your blankets are absolutely lovely!
By the way, Sequim is a beautiful town - I've been there many times. 🙂
Best wishes,
RaeLynn
I’ve only been crocheting for a year. I love Caron Simply Soft, the sheen & the colors are beautiful! The biggest & most annoying problem that I’ve come across with this yarn is that I can’t for the life of me, crochet puff stitches with it! I use the recommended 5.5 hook size, but it snags& gets stuck when I try to pass the yarn through the puff. Any suggestions or is this the nature of this yarn?
Hi Angie,
When you say it snags & gets snuck - do the strands come apart when you try to do the puff stitch and then get stuck on the hook? If that's the case, the only solution I have found is to be very firm when you work the yarn -- to keep those threads sealed tight together.
As you said, Caron Simply Soft is quite lovely, but it does come with a few caveats.
I hope that helps!
Best wishes,
RaeLynn
Until recently I haven't had problems with Caron Simply Soft, However, the last 3 skeins of Sunshine yarn have been a tangled mess!
Hi Janeen,
I have always had issues with it, which is really too bad because I do actually love the yarn. Thanks for your comment!
Best wishes,
RaeLynn
Hi,
Do you find this yarn frizzes quickly? Of do I just notice it more because Simply Soft has that sheen, making the frizzies stand out more?
Hi Margery,
Actually frizzes is not something I notice with this yarn at all! I do tend to notice them with wool based yarns, but not Caron Simply Soft. Perhaps you got a bad batch?
Sincerely,
RaeLynn
The Caron simply soft is a beautiful yarn to work with! The deal breaker is the small knots in the skeins. It makes tucking in very difficult!
I completely agree!
Thanks for stopping by!
Best,
RaeLynn
Thank you for your post. I also like caron simply soft for all the same reasons. I have used it for various things, never for an adult sweater which is what brought me here looking for reviews on knitting with it. I have always used it for crochet. I want to make an adult sweater for my dd because of its softness and cost. The knots can be frustratng. As for the knots when starting it by pulling from inside , I don't start there anymore instead I start from the outside to avoid that. I love to knit and sometimes crochet, used to be the other way round. ? Have a good day, enjoy your knitting/crochet
Hi Susan,
I have not used Caron Simply Soft to knit a sweater yet, but I am working on a crochet one. It seems like because of it's softness the sweater is going to drape a bit more than it would with other yarn -- I suspect that it will be the same with knitting (just FYI). I too no longer pull from the inside. Thank you for the reminder! I should definitely update this post with the tip to start from the outside when using this yarn!
So glad to meet another knitter/crocheter! 🙂
Best wishes,
RaeLynn
RaeLynn, I started the sweater I found revelry and it uses simply soft. It's called long and lean card I and I am loving how it is turning out so far. It is going to drape nicely. I am enjoying my knitting and it is so very stress relieving even when I run into a hic cup,☺. Have fun!!!
Hi Beverley,
Firstly, thanks so much for stopping by! Yes, it's an old post that's really in need of an update, but I am so glad you were still able to find some value in it.
Caron Simply Soft is a good equivalent to Red Heart, however, I find it "thinner" even though it is medium #4. I would strongly recommend doing a gauge swatch first - that being said, I often use Caron Simply Soft in place of Red Heart or other medium 4 yarns with no issues.
Unfortunately, I am not familiar with UK alternatives, but I do host a Facebook group with quite a few UK members so I have put out a post asking them. I will leave another comment with their suggestions as soon as they get back to me.
Just fyi, Caron Simply Soft would be nice for the sofa throw and still quite soft for the baby.
Thank you so much for your sweet comments and I look forward to hearing from you again.
Best wishes,
RaeLynn
I know you wrote the article sometime back, but I'd like to thank you for keeping it up!
I was having a frustrated debate with myself (I know sad!) about which yarn to use to make a two throws, one for the sofa, and the other a baby blanket. I need it to be reasonable light, durable, because the person its being made for, they love to snuggle on the sofa...yeah, Yuk! They are also expecting a baby.
The throw I want to make is the Red Heart Aran Throw, by Bonnie Barker. I know she used the Red Heart yarn but I have never liked it...I'm hoping you can advise me if the Caron Simply Soft is an equivalent substitute, if not, can you recommend an alternative.
One thing to bear in mind if you do recommend an alternative, I am based in the UK, so some of your suggestions may not be available overseas, but we do have access I think to a wide brand range.
I look forward to hearing from you at your convenience. In the meantime, keep it up, you offer a wonderful service.
B
You are so right about the knots! I actually found your your review while trying to discover some secret formula that I was missing that would help with this problem. This is my first project using this yarn and I love it for all the reasons you stated, but it will probably be my last. It makes me want to scream! I've crocheted and knows for years and never had such an issue with any yarn. Such a shame, because it is truly lovely yarn.
Hi Cindy,
I'm so sorry to hear that you probably won't continue using Caron Simply Soft, but I can completely understand. The knots are so frustrating!
I still continue to use it despite the knots, but I am tempted to send Caron a note regarding the issue.
I wish I knew the secret formula, I would definitely share it. If you happen to find it in your search, I hope you'll come back & let me know what it is! ?
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Best,
RaeLynn
All 4 skeins of Bernat Satin I'm currently using for a crocheted tea cosy had the same 'knotty' problem.....not sure if the same applies with any other type of Bernat.
I use Bernat Baby Softee a lot without problems. I think I will pick up some of the Bernat Satin to see how it compares to Caron Simply Soft. Thanks for sharing & I hope you get through the tea cosy without too much of a headache. I'd love to see pictures!
Thanks for the review,......I do think however, that the Bernat brand 'knots' even more than Caron.
Really? That's good to know. I have only used Bernat a few times and thus far no issues. I wonder if it is a particular type of Bernat that is the issue. I tend to have problems with Caron Simply Soft, but not the Caron One-Pound.
Now you mention it, I feel like to do some crochet. I made my husband a tee shirt many years ago, it actually turned out quite good. Your review was very thorough.
A crocheted tee shirt? That's awesome! I'd love to see how it turned out. I think I may look for a pattern. Hope you had a great day crocheting! ?
I would love to crochet... maybe some day, never is too late! Thanks for sharing at TwoUsesTuesday, and I would love to invite you to share this with us at our new Sweet Inspiration party, http://sweethings.net/sweet-inspiration-link-party1/
Have a wonderful week!
Thanks so much! I would love to! Crocheting is major fun & a great stress reliever. I hope you get a chance to pick it up someday!
I hope so, I have friends that make wonders and would love to learn.
Thanks for linking up with us!
Your first product review is wonderful. You did a great job.....I will pin and share because you have given us some really good information.
What a wonderful compliment. Thank you so much! This truly gives me confidence to do more reviews. I have a shipment of bamboo crochet hooks on the way so I will definitely do a review in them ASAP. ?
Choosing yarn can be quite daunting and it's hard to know where to start. I don't think I've ever seen caron on the shelves here in Australia but I'll keep an eye out for it.
You are absolutely right. It can be daunting, especially when you're a beginner! It's interesting to know that brands are not universal. Do you have a favorite Australian brand?