Rainbow Colour Combinations in McLaren DK 100% Merino

The McLaren DK 100% Merino range is one of the most versatile and colour-rich bases we carry — a beautifully soft, 8PLY DK weight merino that takes dye with extraordinary depth and clarity. Whether you're planning a gradient shawl, a striped blanket, or a colourwork yoke, the McLaren palette gives you everything you need to build a truly stunning creation.

Below, we've curated seven rainbow-inspired colour groupings from across the McLaren range, each built on a different colour-theory principle — from full saturated rainbows to moody jewel tones, sun-warmed sunsets, and cool ocean gradients. Every combination uses 8 or more consecutive colours for a seamless, flowing result.

We have included a few optional "variegated" colourways to "spice up" the colour combos, but you can also leave them out and instead to a lovely semi-solid rainbow project !

Looking for pattern inspiration to use these colours? Head over to our Advent Calendar Patterns blog for a curated collection of knit and crochet designs that are perfect for multi-colour projects — from gradient shawls and colourwork cardigans to striped throws and wraps.

Rainbow 1 — The Full Saturated Rainbow

Colour Harmony: Full spectrum ROY G BIV — red through violet

This is the classic rainbow in its most vivid, saturated form — every hue of the colour wheel represented in rich, clear tones. The McLaren range has enough depth across the spectrum to build a true full-circle rainbow, from warm reds through orange, yellow, green, teal, blue, and into deep violet. Stunning for gradient shawls, striped blankets, or any project where you want the full power of colour on display.

Chilli	Scarlet Honeyeater	Tiger	Harvest	Lemon Zest
Lemon	Limerick	Sea Glass	Still Waters	Ultramarine
Lavender	Boysenberry	Muse

Rainbow 2 — The Pastel Rainbow

Colour Harmony: Full spectrum in soft, high-key tones

A pastel rainbow replaces saturation with softness — every hue of the spectrum rendered in its lightest, most delicate form. This palette feels fresh, gentle, and utterly charming. Perfect for baby knits, spring accessories, or any project where you want colour without intensity. The McLaren range has a beautiful selection of soft, airy tones that flow seamlessly from blush through lemon, mint, sky, and lilac.

Blossom	Cherished	Peach Fuzz	Lemon	Bourke Parrot
Sea Glass	Glacier	Languid Lilac	Ghost Gum	Lavender

Rainbow 3 — The Dark Jewel Rainbow

Colour Harmony: Full spectrum in deep, low-key jewel tones

Where the pastel rainbow whispers, the dark jewel rainbow commands attention. This palette takes the full spectrum and pushes every hue into its richest, most saturated dark form — think ruby, burnt sienna, forest, midnight, and deep violet. Dramatic and sophisticated, this combination is perfect for statement garments, colourwork with real depth, or any project where you want colour that feels luxurious and intense.

Calamity	Chilli	Terra Rosa	Mustard	Sequoia
Place to Stand	Ultramarine	Into The Darkness	Prophecy	Muse

Rainbow 4 — The Earth Tones Rainbow

Colour Harmony: Muted, desaturated spectrum — nature's neutrals

An earth tones rainbow replaces vivid hues with the warm, grounded tones found in soil, bark, stone, and dried botanicals. This palette moves through terracotta, warm taupe, sandy beige, olive, and deep brown — a spectrum that feels organic, timeless, and deeply wearable. Beautiful for textured stitch patterns, classic garments, or any project where you want colour that feels rooted in the natural world.

Terra Rosa	Chestnut Breasted Manikin	Paperbark	Latte	Deep Taupe
Kookaburra	Caltrix	Jamo	Sequoia	Xenomorph

Rainbow 5 — The Warm Sunset Rainbow

Colour Harmony: Warm analogous spectrum — blush through gold

This palette captures the colours of a long summer sunset — the warm half of the colour wheel from soft blush pink through coral, watermelon, peach, orange, amber, and golden yellow. Every colour here shares the same warm undertone, creating a palette that glows with cohesion and warmth. Ideal for gradient shawls, striped accessories, or any project that should feel like a warm evening light.

Blossom	Cherished	Galah	Watermelon	Impulse
Peach Fuzz	Tiger	Harvest	Mustard	Lemon Zest

Rainbow 6 — The Cool Ocean Rainbow

Colour Harmony: Cool analogous spectrum — chartreuse through violet

The cool half of the colour wheel — from fresh yellow-green through mint, teal, sky blue, deep blue, and into soft violet. This palette feels clean, refreshing, and deeply cohesive, like the colours of a clear ocean from the shallows to the deep. Every hue shares a cool undertone, making this combination effortlessly harmonious. Beautiful for gradient shawls, striped socks, or any project that should feel calm and expansive.

Lemon	Limerick	Acceptance	Sea Glass	Still Waters
Glacier	Ultramarine	In Lieu	Intensions	Languid Lilac

Rainbow 7 — The Australian Birds Rainbow

Colour Harmony: Full spectrum inspired by Australia's most colourful native birds

Many of the McLaren colourways are named after Australia's extraordinary native birds — and together, they form a rainbow all of their own. From the vivid scarlet of the Honeyeater to the soft blush of the Galah, the electric blue of the Azure Kingfisher, and the kaleidoscopic brilliance of the Rainbow Lorikeet, this palette is a love letter to the Australian bush. A truly unique combination that tells a story as well as it looks beautiful.

Scarlet Honeyeater	Galah	Bourke Parrot	Red Rumped Parrot	Gouldian Finch
Rainbow Lorikeet	Fairy Wren	Azure Kingfisher	Cassowary	Kookaburra

Rainbow 8 — The Customer's Basket

Colour Harmony: A real-world rainbow — curated by a customer

This rainbow didn't come from a colour wheel — it came from a customer's basket. Every colour here was chosen together in a single order, and when laid out in spectral sequence, they form a beautifully cohesive gradient from soft ivory through warm yellows, fiery reds, fresh greens, deep blues, and into midnight. It's proof that our customers have an instinctive eye for colour — and that the McLaren range has the depth to make it happen naturally.

Ivory	Lemon	Daffodil	Tango	Chilli
Acceptance	Lavender	Vivid	Ultramarine	Fern Green
Place to Stand	Midnight

Ready to build your rainbow? Shop the full McLaren DK 100% Merino range and start planning your next colour story. And don't forget to visit our Advent Calendar Patterns blog for pattern inspiration to put these beautiful colours to work.