Gleamy metallic lurex worsted yarn for festive knits
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You know that moment when you pull a skein of metallic yarn out of a destash bag and everyone at the guild table stops mid-row to look? Gleamy does exactly that. It's pure metallic lurex — not a lurex-blend-with-a-little-sparkle-if-you-squint, but 100% metallic thread that catches light from across the room. Worsted weight, so it's not fiddly to handle.
The shedding question comes up every time someone considers a metallic yarn, and honestly it's fair. Because Gleamy is a constructed metallic lurex rather than a spun staple fiber, it holds together as a yarn rather than dropping loose fibres all over your lap like some cheaper metallics do. That said, it's not a yarn you'd reach for on a project where you need drape and stretch — think structured pieces: clutch bags, table runners, a glitzy cowl, tree decorations, or the trim on a holiday stocking. Four balls per pack gives you 500 metres total (about 546 yards), which is comfortably enough for a full-sized cowl or scarf with room to spare.
If you've got a worsted-weight base you already love — say, the Favorite acrylic worsted or the cozy Zerda Alpaca — Gleamy can be held alongside a single strand to add shimmer without committing to a full metallic fabric. Prefer something with just a touch of sparkle rather than full metallic? Magic Glitz (95% acrylic, 5% lurex) is the gentler option for projects where you want glitter in the background rather than front and centre.
With over 50 colorways ranging from classic Bright Gold and Silver through to Candy Pink, Dark Navy Silver, and multicolour combos like Black/Pink/Gold/Turquoise/Silver, the range here is genuinely one of the widest we carry for a metallic yarn — so if you've been sitting on a festive project idea waiting for exactly the right shade, now's the time.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Fiber Composition | 100% Metallic Lurex Pure metallic thread — maximum sparkle, no wool or acrylic filler; great for festive and decorative projects |
| Weight / Type | 4 Medium: Worsted, Afghan, Aran Mid-thickness worsted weight — knits up quickly on standard worsted needles, not too fiddly to handle |
| Yardage Per Ball | 125m / 136.70yds Solid yardage for a metallic — one ball handles a trim or small accessory; the full 4-ball pack gives ~546yds for larger projects |
| Weight Per Ball | 50g / 1.76oz Standard 50g ball size — easy to substitute into patterns that list yardage |
| Package Content | 4 balls per pack (500m / ~546yds total) Enough for a full scarf, cowl, or multiple smaller accent pieces in one purchase |
| Brand | Ice Yarns Our own label — consistent quality across the colour range |
| Recommended Needle Size | Not specified As worsted weight, a 4.5–5.5mm needle is a typical starting point — always knit a swatch first to check tension |
| Recommended Hook Size | Not specified A 5mm crochet hook is a common worsted-weight starting point — swatch before committing to your project |
| Gauge | Not specified Metallic lurex can behave differently from standard yarn — always work a gauge swatch, especially for fitted pieces |
| Care Instructions | Not specified Metallic fibres are generally sensitive to high heat — hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry as a safe default |
| Dye Lot / Colorway Notes | 50+ colorways available (solids, two-tone, and multicolour combinations) Wide range including metallics, pastels, and mixed combos — buy enough in one order to avoid dye lot mismatches |
| Country of Origin | Not specified |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Gleamy yarn do I need for a scarf or cowl?
The 4-ball pack gives you 500 metres (about 546 yards) total, which is the sweet spot for most adult scarves and a generous cowl worked in worsted weight. A straightforward knit or crochet scarf — say, 180cm long by 20cm wide — typically uses 350–450 metres depending on your stitch pattern, so the pack covers you with a bit left over for fringe or edging. If you're planning a wider wrap or a longer infinity cowl, we'd suggest picking up an extra ball or two in the same colorway in the same order. Metallic yarns like Gleamy don't always restock in identical dye lots, and running out mid-project is the kind of thing that leads to frogging entire sections (we've all been there).
Is metallic lurex yarn suitable for beginners?
It depends on the project. Gleamy at worsted weight is actually easier to work with than the thin metallic threads you might have wrestled with on a fine-gauge pattern — the thickness means you can see your stitches clearly, which helps a lot when you're still building muscle memory. The main thing to know is that metallic lurex has very little stretch compared to wool or acrylic, so it doesn't forgive tension inconsistencies the way a bouncy yarn does. Start with something flat and simple — a rectangle scarf, a dishcloth-style bag panel — rather than a shaped garment. Your first gauge swatch will tell you quickly whether you need to go up or down a needle size to get a fabric you're happy with.
