I’ve been collecting hand dyed skeins of wool for a while now, and I know in my head what I’ll do with them either when I’ve collected enough, or make time to get started on yet another project. I’ve already completed the test run - remember the crocheted cardigan, where I used a multicoloured yarn against a soft grey? I adapted a pattern that was previously published in Simply Crochet magazine. I’ve seen the pattern is available to buy on Etsy - I added a knitted rib, as that’s the fit I prefer, though I don’t think I made a note of how many stitches I picked up, which was a bit foolish.
My other challenge is knowing just how much yarn it’ll take, and wanting to have enough before starting. The pattern, for my size, says 250g of the main colour, with a ball each of the six colours for the stripes. But as I won’t be using the stripes as a pattern, then I think I can probably use less, but no doubt it will be a discovery each time I attempt one.
But what I realised when I recently added to my supplies, was that I’ve been pretty good at sticking to my colour palettes, which is amazing really as they’ve all come from various places and at varying times, and apart from the neon burst, haven’t been purchased with the plan of putting them together. Some have come from lucky dip bags, some from a kickstarter campaign to dye a 100 skeins. I’ve signed up for this again this year, and while I can share what I like and loathe the actual skein I receive will be very much up to the dyer, though I know that my skein will be unique. I’m hoping that will arrive either this or next month, so it’ll be good to see just how well it fits. Or if I’ll be tempted to start another colour palette…
Pinks and yellows
The newest addition to my collection is the lighter skein on the left below which I bought from Instagram from someone selling their stash, I thought it would go with some I already had and it does. It’s also the skein the inspired this post as I thought while I was checking the colours I might as well remind myself of what else I have! All apart from the skein on the right, which is from The Wool Kitchen, came in a lucky dip clear out bag, but I can’t remember where from. I quite like the mix of yellow and pink, though it’s perhaps not a natural combination. I also think the dark purple could also work as an accent, though I’m not sure exactly just how - it needs more thought!
Vibrant pinks and orange
Pink and orange is another colour combination that isn’t naturally put together by many - but it’s one I love. And it’s the colours I’ve had dyed into the under layers of my graduated bob for a good few years (and yes, I really should update my profile picture!). Two of the skeins below are from Vicki Brown Designs, the first a special edition which is a orange with added glitter. The second is one of the 100 Skeins that I mentioned previously. The final more mustard coloured skein is from Botanical Yarn, and I think these three could work well together eventually. This selection needs more to make a cardigan viable, and I’m not sure what that is right now, but I’m sure the right skein (or two) will come along in time.
All the greens
The majority of these skeins are from Lay Family Yarn, only the ‘kermit’ green (my affectionate name for it) skein on the right coming from Vicki Brown Designs, another from an earlier 100 Skeins project. The mini skeins came as a set, and once again it was love at first sight. I think this colour palette is likely to be the one that most follows the striped style of the original pattern, using the vibrant green as the stripe on the lower half, and the more ‘oatmeal’ skein (on the left) on the top half.
And a burst of neon
But the real jewel are these French Navy skeins, each with a burst of neon. My original plan was to find a blue that matched to supplement these as these ones were rather pricey, or buying them all in one go was rather pricey. When they arrived I knew that that wasn’t going to be so easy, as the blue is quite distinctive, so a Plan B was needed. A while later (quite a while in fact) I relented and knew that the only thing I’d be truly happy with was to buy another skein. And so, two skeins were added - two to be sure I had enough. They are slightly different, and as is always the case if you want things to match exactly then you need to buy them together, but I’m ok with that. I do like a pop of colour, and these definitely bring that!
I think this final set, could be the one that actually gets started next, but as you can tell just admiring them also brings pleasure.
Thanks to all the independent yarn dyers out there - you’re making my life more beautiful, more colourful and also causing me one or two headaches along the way. I’ll forgive you though!
