Cumulus Matisse takes the soft, airy Cumulus base and adds color with a lot more movement.
Rather than a solid or one long gradient, Matisse layers several colors throughout the skein, shifting and overlapping them as you knit or crochet. The result is painterly without forming predictable stripes or following a single progression from one end of the skein to the other.
Underneath all that color is the same 94% cotton and 6% nylon blend as Cumulus, built in an airy chainette construction that gives the yarn loft, drape, and more give than traditionally plied cotton. It's soft against bare skin, machine washable, and useful across three seasons, particularly for anyone looking for a wool-free option.
Matisse works especially well when you give the color some room. Stockinette and simple crochet stitches let the different shades move across the fabric, while larger-scale texture can add interest without competing with the color.
Prefer a solid? Cumulus gives you the same base in a broad palette. Cumulus Rainbow runs through one continuous gradient from beginning to end, while Cirrus takes the airy cotton construction to a lighter gauge.
Pattern Ideas
Sophie (crochet)
Cumulonimbus (free)
Lollygag (free)