Cascade Yarns

A Seattle family business

Bob Dunbabin founded Cascade Yarns in 1987 in a small storefront in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. His approach was to keep overheads modest and concentrate on the yarn itself. Rather than relying only on established European sources, he explored South American production and developed relationships with mills there.

The company remained within the family. In 2011, Bob’s son Rob and daughter-in-law Shannon took over, continuing the emphasis on accessible yarns and relationships with local yarn shops. Cascade’s role is that of a yarn distributor working with production partners, rather than a claim that every strand is spun in Seattle.

What the Cascade 220 name tells you

The original Cascade 220 contains 220 yards, or approximately 200 metres, per 100-gram hank. Its pure Highland wool and hand-wash instructions distinguish it from similarly named products with different treatments or yarn weights. The family includes Fingering, Sport and Grande versions, which need to be considered separately.

For a project using the original Cascade 220, a useful comparison starts with the wool content, strand structure and resulting fabric. Gauge and total length matter, but so does the intended use: a yarn for a felted bag presents different requirements from one for a washable sweater.

The large colour selection is also part of the appeal. When planning colourwork, consider contrast between shades as well as the individual colours. Heathered and solid yarns can read differently once knitted into a small motif.