| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Ceil
Permanent Resident
USA
1564 Posts |
 Posted - 10/11/2010 : 9:07:45 PM
|
I'm knitting a sweater with Cascade 220, and made a significant enough design change that used more yarn. I bought the yarn several months ago and the dye lot is long gone. The project may have to be finished with yarn in another dye lot (it's still too early to tell). I would incorporate the yarn of a different dye lot in a place that isn't so obvious, like going from sleeve to cuff.
The trick is that I would like to get the shade of the new dye lot close to what I already have. The shop I bought the yarn from has three skeins in two different dye lots on the shelf at this time. I know I'd be able to tell how much difference in shade there is by knitting a swatch, but then I wouldn't be able to return the yarn if it doesn't work out. Is there a way to compare the shades of different dye lots without knitting their respective skeins?
Thanks for anyone's help!
Ceil
Time is never a factor when joy is involved. |
|
|
Coolj
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
428 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2010 : 1:55:13 PM
|
I have alternated the two dye lots in rows as though I'm knitting stripes. If I'm knitting straight, I'll do two rows. If I'm knitting circular, I'll knit one round and switch. It's a pain, but it can be done. As my knitting teacher, Marian, used to say, "It'll never be noticed on a galloping horse!"
Juanita |
 |
|
|
Milinda
Permanent Resident
USA
3816 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2010 : 2:15:17 PM
|
My grandmother used to say the same thing, Juanita. And I would handle the dye lot difference in much the same way.
M L
|
|
|
|
KathyR
Permanent Resident
New Zealand
2969 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2010 : 4:04:47 PM
|
I would do the same, too. Another suggestion, though, is that if you belong to Ravelry to do a search of the yarn and dye lot on there. Quite often you will find people willing to sell some of their yarn off depending, of course, on how much you will need.
KathyR
If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got.
My Blog
http://www.flickr.com/groups/kr_members/ (Roselea Fibres) |
|
|
|
minh
Permanent Resident and Destasher Extraordinnaire
USA
3416 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2010 : 6:45:17 PM
|
Is there a way to wrap yarns from the various skeins onto the same pencil (just a short length, without cutting the yarn of course) to compare the dyelots? I find that it sometimes help to see the difference in yarn colors when several strands are close by, mimicking knitted fabric.
Otherwise, I second (fourth?) the recommendation of alternating skeins. |
|
|
|
Clara
queen bee
USA
4363 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2010 : 07:13:54 AM
|
That's exactly what I'm thinking, Minh. You need to be able to evaluate the yarns on the same terms - comparing knitted stitches to a smooth skein will not give you the real picture. I'd try wrapping yarns from various skeins onto the same pencil, or even onto a ruler if you want to see more of the yarns side by side.
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
|
|
|
|
Ceil
Permanent Resident
USA
1564 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2010 : 10:14:04 AM
|
Thanks, everyone. Clara and minh, I think I'd go one easier on your idea and simply twist strands of both yarns together.
I'm on Ravelry, so I will post there--and here!) to see if anyone has that dyelot. Over at Rav, the LYS I bought the yarn from has a group, too, so that would be the first place to ask. Keep it local!
Ceil
Time is never a factor when joy is involved. |
|
|
|
McKennaO
New Pal
4 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2010 : 04:44:09 AM
|
Have you checked with other LYSes as well as Cascade proper? I once went from an elongated vest to an oversized poncho - please don't ask, but suffice it to say there was no way to 'hide' a different dyelot - and managed to get another ten balls of the dyelot required from the producer.
No guarantees, and my heart goes out to you. The yarn-round-the-pencil/ruler would be an excellent option; you may be pleasantly surprised at the similarities among lots, especially those from the same year.
Good luck!
"Never doubt that a group of concerned citizens can change the world - indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead |
|
|
|
Catlady2
New Pal
1 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2010 : 05:29:32 AM
|
When I worked at a yarn store, what I would do for customers would be to take a strand of the yarn they had, and lay it into the outer wraps of the ball of yarn (or hank or skein). I would then hold it in the sunshine (whenever possible, if not then any good bright light) and ask them to find the strand. Sometimes it would stick out like a sore thumb, other times it was impossible to tell.
This also works for two balls of different dyelot on the shelf, since you can unwind the outermost strand without causing too much "damage" to the whole ball. I realize this is harder in the skeined yarns, such as Cascade 220, but it can be done by untwisting the hank, then separating one strand. Again, done carefully and gently, won't tangle the skein.
If you do have a difference, the other suggestions to knit two rows of one dyelot, and two of another, work fine. Or, if you haven't gotten that far in the project, you could, as you mention, do things like cuffs and button bands and collar with the different yarn. A final suggestion is to go with a contrast colour, and don't bother to try to match it at all. |
|
|
|
lella
Permanent Resident
9697 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2010 : 10:16:47 AM
|
I sort of ply the two together by hand, and look at them in natural light and in artificial. If I can't see the difference, I know that there are few others who will see it either. With the new digital cameras, it's a good idea to take a photo in good light and see if you still can't tell.
"At 40 miles an hour on a galloping horse..." was my grandmother's saying. hehe.. so true!
Lella
Zippiknits
|
|
|
|
NMSue
New Pal
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2010 : 10:20:48 AM
|
To get the best match, take a skein of your yarn and a skein of the new dye lot and compare them in different lighting situations: outside in sunlight, inside in incandescent light, and fluorescent light and choose the one that is closest in all situations. The colors from different dyelots will appear different depending on the lighting situation.
You might also try some of the on-line discount yarn shops since they often carry remainders from older dye lots. Also, try regular on-line yarn shops because they might just have the dye lot you want. When you find the yarn you want, email them about dye lot. You might just get lucky. |
|
|
|
ayinhara
New Pal
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2010 : 12:27:43 PM
|
| I cannot comment on how to use two different dyelots on a single garment, but I wanted to add to KathyR's comment. If you cannot find somebody with the dyelot that you need on ravelry.com, I would do a google search for the colorway and dyelot. I had a similar situation and was able to fine a single skein from another ravelry member and also find additional skeins from an online yarn store that I had never used before. |
|
|
|
kbshee
Permanent Resident
USA
4129 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2010 : 2:38:31 PM
|
My SIL works at an LYS and that LYS belongs to some giant online database of LYSes that share information about yarns and dyelots...you might ask at your LYS to see if they are part of that?
kim in oregon
http://kbshee.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
claudiasawyer
New Pal
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2010 : 3:19:53 PM
|
| When I have run into that problem my LYS has an option of ordering things from a knitting "consortium" on line. When all else fails the stripes method works too. |
|
|
|
eldergirl
Permanent Resident
USA
1676 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2010 : 4:03:26 PM
|
In tune with the "galloping horse" nostrum, there is a line in "The Mikado" by Gilbert and Sullivan, recommending an older lady to a suitor: "She may very well pass for forty-two in the dark with the light behind her!"
Love G&S! : ) Advice on changing dyelots also includes working the changes on the back only which would let the quotation apply!
Wouldn't that be hard? Usually we discover our need for more yarn as we are ending a project. A bit late for the custom of starting with the back. : (
Kim's LYS in Oregon sounds like a good place, with that link to an online LYS database!
Anna
|
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Knitter's Review Forums |
© 2001-2013 Knitter's Review |
|
|
|
|
Incorporating another dye lot
