Working with hand dyed yarns can be challenging, due to the nature of hand dyed yarns. Every skein will be unique, even when dyed in the same dye lot.
You love them because each one is individual - they are a work of art.
Dyers will make every effort to remove any excess dye from the yarn, however a little may remain, particularly with dark and rich colours. You may want to wash your yarn before working with it.
To ensure that your project is completed and you obtain the best effect possible from your hand dyed yarn, we make the following recommendations.
1. Always purchase enough skeins to complete your project, this ensures your yarn comes from the same dye sessions. Yarn from another dye session, will most likely have a different intensity.
2. Alternate with two skeins when knitting to avoid the potential for colours to pool and to even out differences in colour in the skeins. See below for how to alternate your skeins.
3. If you are doing colour work then it is best to wash the yarn before knitting with it. This should remove any excess colour.
4. With any hand dyed yarn we recommend that you always gently hand wash your hand dyed projects on their own, in cold water, with wool wash or a mild detergent. DO NOT SOAK
How to alternate your skeins
Alternating skeins ensure that, even with significantly different skeins, it won’t be obvious where one skein ends and the next begins.
Before you begin, wind two skeins of yarn that you will work with at the same time. Then, follow the instructions below, according to whether you are knitting flat or in the round.
How to Alternate Skeins When Knitting Flat
If you are knitting your project flat, work two rows at a time using the first skein. Then, switch to the other skein and knit the next two rows. Repeat this, carrying your yarn at the side of your work, until you have completed your project.
To transition from one skein to the next, drop the yarn you were working with and pick up the next. It’s as simple as that!
How to Alternate Skeins When Knitting in the Round
If you are knitting your project in the round, work two rounds at a time in the first skein. Then, switch to the other skein and knit two more rounds, carrying the yarn up the inside of your work. Repeat until you have finished.
If you are interested in reading more about alternating yarns we suggest that you do a google search.