Combining Yarns of Different Weights

Like every knitter, I gradually build up a stash of leftover yarn: multicolored, fine, bulky, wool, and blended odds and ends that sit unused. You can turn some of them into cheerful striped socks, a colorful blanket, baby booties, or toys. The awkward part is when there is too little of any one yarn for a full-size project, yet too much to use up on small items you do not really need.

A few years ago, looking at scraps of white wool of different weights, I got excited about the idea of knitting something by combining these yarns. I wanted to play with the different yarn thicknesses so the piece wouldn't look like it was made from scraps.

However, I never found a suitable combination of stitch patterns. Today I stumbled upon an interesting design.

The cardigan itself is not really to my taste, but the sleeve idea is very original. The sleeves alternate two patterns in 10-row sections: stockinette stitch in fine yarn (160 m per 50 g) and brioche rib—already a more voluminous texture—in thicker yarn (90 m per 50 g). What do you think of this idea? Could a sweater be knitted this way, or would it be too bulky? Does anyone have other ways of combining yarns of different weights? Let’s share our finds!