marled

Marled refers to a yarn or fabric whose color variation is produced by combining two or more colors of fiber. In yarn form, marling is achieved by spinning together two differently colored strands, or by plying single-color yarns of different colors. The resulting marled yarn has a heathered, speckled, or mottled appearance, with the pattern determined by the colors, their proportions, and the twist.

Marled yarns are most common with wool but can be made from cotton, synthetic blends, and other fibers. The technique is widely used in knitwear and woven fabrics to add depth of color and texture without using printed or dyed patterns. The look can range from subtle to high-contrast, depending on color choices and fiber content.

Care and performance depend on the fiber. Wool marled yarns may felt or shrink if subjected to aggressive washing; care follows the fiber's guidelines. Marled fabrics are valued for warmth, durability, and a tactile surface.

Historically, marling has been used for centuries to achieve color variation in yarns without post-spin dyeing, and it remains common in both commercial production and handcrafts.

Examples include marled sweaters, scarves, socks, and blankets, where the combined colors create a characteristic heathered effect that is not possible with a single solid color.