Patterns warn us knitters to buy enough yarn to complete the project. There's a reason for this. Dye lots.
Basically, when yarn is dyed, the yarn that's processed together is assigned a number. Different day, different number. Now, while the color of a yarn will look the same dye lot to dye lot, if you put them close together (like say, knitted together in a garment), there may be a discrepancy. It's the same color, but the shade might be slightly off.
When I started niece's scarf, I used a skein I had in my stash. And then I proceeded to use up that entire skein.
Now, I happened to have another skein of the same yarn in my stash, but I had acquired that skein at a completely different time. Different dye lot.
As I had acquired both skeins a while ago, it was doubtful that I would find the right dye lot in a store. And this was my "free" project, using stash and not buying new yarn.
So, I attempted a trick I had read about somewhere. Before I ran out of the first skein, I began knitting with the second. I knit for two rows, and then I switched back to the first.
If I was using two different colors, it would have resulted in narrow stripes. With the same color, it's hoped that the dye lots would blend together, not leaving me with a definite line of color change.
Did it work? You be the judge...
I photographed this in direct sunlight so that differences in color would show up. I don't see any. Do you?
It should look like narrow (two row) stripes.
But I can't see it. I mean, that's a good thing. It looks like I might have hid the change successfully.
And considering how long the scarf is now, I don't think I'll be in need of a third skein.
I might actually finish this thing sooner rather than later. And then I'll have to figure out what to knit next.
I can't tell, but it might be different looking at it up close. It looks nice and cozy though.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know this trick, but sure enough, I just researched it to see why it works. And no, I don't see the difference.
ReplyDeleteWithout a definite line of difference, I guess it blends. I don't see it either.
DeleteNeither do I. And I'm really close to the thing. So, yay?!
ReplyDeleteCan't see any difference. You managed to hide it well.
ReplyDeleteNope, I can't see it either!
ReplyDeleteI think you successfully blended the yarns
ReplyDeleteApparently so. Yay!
DeleteVery clever. It is a beautiful blending.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could remember where I read this so I could link to it and give credit.
DeleteI can't tell! I haven't bought yarn in years, but do remember the frustration of running out yarn, and the store having no more of a dye lot. I also worked way back in the late 70's until my first was born in '81 in the fabric/yarn department of Liberty House. I don't know if they had those down there, it was a department store. Oh, customers would get peeved at not having the same lots!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard when you want to make a sweater not to have the right dye lot.
DeleteThanks for sharing about this trick. I didn't know but now it sounds great idea.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
That's a clever strategy - hadn't hear of it before, butI will try and remember!
ReplyDeleteAnd no, I can't see the change in colour.
That's a cool way to use different lots and have it not show. It seems like a good thing for knitters to know because they could have this problem even if they try to buy enough yarn at the start of the project.
ReplyDeleteBetter to be lucky than good, hubby always says that. Well done, you can not see the difference in any of the pictures. The first couple it looks sorta pea green in color, but then it looks like a darker not quite olive in color. Very pretty, nice cables. She'll love the scarf. The trick I had heard is to think as if you were going to make swatches of 2 different colors...20 or 30 rows in, switch. At that point you can see if they match, and if they don't, you've developed a planed pattern of two close tones of the same color fading in and out as you knit with the 2 skeins.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea. If I had known the scarf was going to need more than one skein, I would have planned better. But, I'm kind of doing this on the fly.
DeleteGreat stitch. I can't tell the difference in the dye. But yes I learned as a teen when I took up knitting that you needed to be sure and get enough yarn when you started. I did my first afghan this month by asking my neighborhood if they had scraps to get rid of. My neighbor had a bunch but I still had to purchase. I found that Dollar Tree has small skeins for a buck. I really don't get that much out of one but it is helping me to do my afghans for many colors. I only thought I was going to do the one but I have been enjoying working on my second one now. I went to Wally World yesterday to buy bigger skeins, wow...the price has gone up since I have bought yarn....maybe ten years now. But I will make use of what I got and what I have left. I never learned anything more than knit and pearl. No dropping stitches or adding. Same with my crocheting, just straight stitching.
ReplyDeleteThere's not much more than knit and purl, really. If you want to subtract stitches, you can knit two stitches together. As for crochet, adding stitches is easy. Make two stitches into the same stitch. Decreases are a bit tricky. You almost complete a stitch, leave a loop on the hook, and then start a new stitch. Then you finish them together. Kind of like making a cluster.
DeleteI see a shadow going across the right side of the scarf. Must be a tree behind you. The difference in colors? I can’t see it. I love your color choice. Is that a kind of gold?
ReplyDeleteI don't see it so it works! You have a future gift for someone or for yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt's a past gift. Niece's request for last Christmas.
DeleteLooks great! Perhaps you should create more sea creatures. :D Those are so cool in all the resulting forms.
ReplyDeleteI don't really have a place to store them. First I need someone who wants one. Then I'll make it.
DeleteWell done, this is a useful tips! I don't see the changing line, and if you (the maker) do not either, it's pretty good news!
ReplyDeleteWell done and thanks for the tips. Looks so cozy!
ReplyDelete