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Cloud Dancer: Yarn Color of the Year
Cloud Dancer is Pantone's white color of the year for 2026, and here is how to use white yarn in your knitting, with three worsted yarns that come close.
Last month Pantone continued its annual tradition of selecting a color trend for the new year.
This year’s color is Cloud Dancer.
Despite what you might think, the team at Pantone does not pull a color out of a hat. Instead they work throughout the year, examining industry trends as well as what’s happening in the culture.
The result is a color that is meant to reflect the year before, and represent a mood or feeling going into the new year.
But why does Pantone get to make this decision?
What is Pantone?
Pantone started as a New Jersey printing company back in the 1950s.
In 1956 they hired a chemist, Lawrence Herbert, to systematize and standardize their color pigments and inks. This color matching system was then used to help printers reproduce exact colors, regardless of the equipment used.
Today Pantone colors are considered an industry standard, used by design firms, clothing companies, and professional printers all over the world.
Being the color experts, they wanted to start a conversation about the role colors plays in daily life.
Enter the Pantone color of the year…
History of the Pantone Color of the Year
In 1999 Pantone introduced the Color of the Year educational program.
It’s goal was to draw attention to the relationship between color and culture.
Each year’s color is meant to capture the emotion of the current time. They show how color is an essential element to the human experience and tell a story of how the world is changing.
For example, in 2021, in the wake of a global pandemic, Pantone chose two colors; Ultimate Grey and Illuminating Yellow. These colors embodied the solid, never changing elements society depends on (grey) while also looking toward a hopeful future (yellow).
in 2022, Pantone introduced a brand new color for the first time as the color of the year. Very Peri was a futuristic color honoring personal creativity, combining the consistency of blue with the energy of red.
An apt choice for a world on the brink of an A.I. explosion.
So what color embodies a world exhausted by constant digital noise and seeking calm in a frenetic society?
Cloud Dancer: 2026 Color of the Year
This year’s color represents a breath of fresh air and a promise of clarity.
For the first time in the program’s history, Pantone has chosen white. It’s a billowy, balanced shade that acts as a whisper of calm and peace. With technology’s grip on daily life tightening, this color signifies our desire for a fresh start, offering release from the distraction of external influences.
As knitters, we understand the meditative power of our craft. The simple act of working with soft, light yarn can transport us to a place of quiet reflection. We can create space for creativity, allowing our imagination to drift and new insights to emerge, much like clouds dancing across a clear sky.
So how do we take this color and integrate it into our lives?
Pairing Cloud Dancer With Other Colors
The beauty of having a neutral white to work with means there are tons of options for color pairings.
White provides the perfect foundation for both minimalist and colorful designs. A monochromatic approach with creams, ivories, and natural whites creates an elegant, spa-like aesthetic.
Texture becomes especially important when working with white yarns. Cables, lace, and different stitch patterns create depth and visual interest without relying on color contrast.
But white is also a brilliant canvas for pops of color, working beautifully with soft pastels, bold jewel tones, or earthy neutrals.
The possibilities are endless!
Our Favorite Cloud Dancer Colored Yarns
If we haven’t sold you on white as a color, then perhaps these yarns will do the trick.
Obviously none of these are a perfect match for Cloud Dancer, but they’re close enough.
Rios by Malabrigo Yarn
CYC #4 (Worsted) • 100% Superwash Merino Wool (210yds/100g)
Malabrigo Rios in Ivory is a superwash merino worsted that combines a soft, calming aesthetic with the luxurious hand feel and practicality knitters love. The generous yardage makes it perfect for everything from cozy sweaters to delicate accessories that showcase texture and stitch definition.
Vintage by Berroco
CYC #4 (Worsted) • 52% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 8% Nylon (218yds/100g)
Berroco Vintage in Snow Day is the workhorse white yarn every knitter needs, combining easy-care practicality with an incredibly soft hand. Its machine-washable blend and generous yardage make it the go-to choice for family-friendly projects that need to stand up to real life.
Wool of the Andes by Knit Picks
CYC #4 (Worsted) • 100% Peruvian Wool (110yds/50g)
Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Cloud is the budget-friendly option that doesn’t sacrifice quality, offering pure Peruvian Highland wool with excellent structure and drape. This iconic workhorse yarn is perfect for those everyday projects that need durability and character, proving that beautiful yarn doesn’t have to break the bank.
Conclusion
Do you see yourself knitting with Cloud Dancer type yarns this year?
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