5 Tips for Knitting with Hand-Dyed Yarn

Knitting with hand-dyed yarn is a joy—every skein is unique, with rich colors and subtle variations. But it also comes with a few challenges, like color pooling or running out of a special dye lot. Not to worry! I've got you covered with these five tips to make the most of your hand-dyed yarn projects.

1. Alternate Skeins

   • When working with hand-dyed yarn, alternating skeins every couple of rows helps blend the colors seamlessly. This is especially important for large projects like sweaters.

   • Tip: Wind your skeins into two balls and alternate them every two rows.

2. Swatch for Color Confidence

   • Swatching isn’t just for gauge—it’s your chance to see how the colors play together. Some colorways might pool, stripe, or create unexpected patterns.

   • Tip: Wet-block your swatch to see how the colors behave after washing.

     
     

3. Plan for Dye Lot Variations

   • Each batch of hand-dyed yarn can be slightly different. Always buy enough yarn for your project at once!

   
   

4. Pick the Right Patterns

   • Simple stitch patterns (like stockinette or garter stitch) allow the colors to shine, while more complex patterns might get overshadowed.

     
     

5. Care for Your Project

   • Hand-dyed yarns often require gentle washing to maintain their vibrant colors. Use a wool wash and air dry for best results.

   
   

Knitting with hand-dyed yarn is a creative adventure that brings every project to life! Have a tip for working with hand-dyed yarn? Share it in the comments below, or tag me on social media with your creations!