Schoppel Wolle Crazy Zauberball – 4 Ply Sock Yarn

The original Crazy Zauberball — and a cult classic.

Schoppel Wolle Crazy Zauberball, also known as Zauberball Crazy, is a distinctive 4 ply sock yarn... is a beautifully twisted 4 ply sock yarn with long, gradual colour changes that create a distinctive effect as you knit.

The combination of 75% superwash virgin wool and 25% nylon makes it soft, hard-wearing and practical, while the high twist gives the yarn excellent stitch definition and durability. Although particularly well suited to socks, Crazy Zauberball is versatile enough for shawls, garments, accessories and baby projects.

And there is one important thing to know about knitting socks with Crazy Zauberball: you won't get two identical socks.Instead, you'll get a wonderfully mismatched — or, as Schoppel puts it, fraternal — pair. The long colour graduations mean each sock develops its own character.

It even comes with its own warning: Knitting can be addictive.

A great yarn for your first pair of socks

If you're just starting to knit socks, Crazy Zauberball is a particularly good choice. It's soft, forgiving and easy to work with, while the changing colours add interest as you knit.

For a straightforward introduction to sock knitting, we recommend the free 4 ply sock pattern from Winwick Mum. Christine's clear instructions and helpful tutorials make it an excellent starting point for beginners.

More than just sock yarn

Crazy Zauberball works beautifully in larger projects too, particularly where you want the long colour changes to become part of the design.

One of our favourites is the Stephen West Botanic Shawl, which combines Crazy Zauberball with Lang Yarns Merino 150. It's still a favourite at Hoop Knit and is a good introduction to Stephen West's designs if you're new to his patterns.

Details

• Fibre: 75% Superwash Virgin Wool, 25% Nylon
• Yarn weight: 4 Ply
• Ball weight: 100g
• Meterage: 420m
• Gauge: 30 stitches × 42 rows
• Recommended needles: 2–3mm
• UK needle size: 11–14
• Season: All
• Care: Machine washable at 30°C

Please note: Due to the long colour gradients, two socks knitted from the same Crazy Zauberball will not be identical. Each pair will have its own unique colour sequence.