Yarn pooling? Artful Color Mindful Knits to the rescue!
As I finished my first sweater using Koala (Knitbot Spring Ribbed Cardigan is such a great pattern) I noticed the strange pooling of color that was happening on the sleeve cuffs. See this crazy (and sudden!) pooling of color here on the sleeve cuffs? Since no pooling had occurred anywhere else on the sweater, I thought I had avoided it all together. Then, Whamo! Spotted cuffs. I don’t really mind this kind of thing; had always assumed it was part and parcel of knitting with hand painted yarn. Interesting though that these pools were so sudden and happened at exactly the same place on both sleeve cuffs and nowhere else.
So I was talking this over with Kendra. (I love to think of Kendra as my creative other half. When we put our heads together, sparks fly and the ideas just come rolling out!) I knew she would have insight into this issue. Sure enough she hands me a book called Artful Color Mindful Knits. A book, that to be honest, I had barely glanced at when it arrived at the shop. I haven’t been hit by the old adage ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover’ in a while but it sure applies here.
This book is a treasure trove of ideas, information and insight into hand-painted yarn and ways to study it’s color. We all know this type of yarn – Amazing color combos you would never expect, deliciously blended in that perfect gorgeous skein that you could almost eat. So you buy a skein because you can’t resist the colors and have NO idea what you will ever use it for. Or, even worse, you buy it, knit with it, then hate it once it turns into fabric.
Well, no more. Buy this book! You will learn how to analyze a skein of yarn to see how it was dyed and how the color will repeat before you even wind it into a ball. Hey, after learning these color essentials you will be able to look at and understand a skein of hand painted yarn BEFORE you buy it.
You will learn about the ‘Magic Number’ and how to determine what it is. (‘Magic Number’ is quite the teaser isn’t it?!) You will be armed with knowledge and saved from future hand paint woes. Almost forgot to mention, it has amazing patterns too. Take a peak inside its pages.
Since I have started my second Koala sweater, the Top Down Drape Front Cardi by Pure and Simple , I plan on using this book to keep the new sleeves from pooling. Will keep you posted!
Related items of interest: • Knitting Books
