Choosing a Variegated Yarn

They create color variation and patterns spontaneously without the need to physically change skeins of yarn. As I began playing with different variegated yarns for this week’s newsletter, I began exploring a few of the different ways these variegations are created within a skein of yarn. These different methods can create a different look in your overall project.

Tunisian crochet. When I saw this fantastic fabric for the first time I was, well I guess I’d say I was hooked. There is something about the uniqueness of the fabric that fascinates me.

While I would love to see one, I have never seen a ball of yarn large enough to create an entire sweater or a skein with perfectly placed color changes, so you never have to join a new ball of yarn. When I first learned to crochet, I didn’t know how to properly join a new ball or color. I would fasten off the first ball, create a slip knot, and join the new ball. Or I would knot the two ends together. Either of these methods created a knot in the fabric and can be an annoying, though small, waste of time. When you have spent hours on a handmade creation, little imperfections such as these hard knots can be disheartening.

Can you believe that I have been crocheting for 15 years, and I have never made an anigurumi? I know, I can’t believe it either. If you haven’t explored the abilities of CrocetMe, I would suggest browsing through the pattern section. You can find anything from garments to scarves to bags to particularly adorable amigurumis.

I take after my mother in many ways. Whenever she tries a new recipe, she always follows the recipe instructions faithfully the first time. But then her mind fills with ideas for customizing the recipe, whether for practical purposed or personal taste.

Another Idea for My Project Notebook
In last week's newsletter I extolled the virtues of a crochet project notebook. I'm a fairly recent convert to the project notebook, but I'm hooked. Recently I found an old pair of sandals from several Summers past. They had not been worn but a time or two; they were bland. So I pulled out the trusty Harmony Guide: Crochet Stitch Motifs, grabbed a pencil and my project notebook, and let my imagination go. Please ignore my horrible drawing skills.

WPI: If it sounds like so much crochet alphabet soup to you, don't worry. I didn't know what wraps per inch (wpi) meant until a couple of years ago. Now I figure wpi for all of the yarns used in the Interweave Crochet patterns. Along with the characteristics of a specific fiber, wpi is an invaluable tool when you find you need to substitute a yarn. WPI is simply the number of times you can wrap the yarn around an object in an inch. You can either use a wpi tool or a ruler. You want to measure the number of times you wrap the yarn around your wpi tool or an inch of the ruler.


If your yarn strand variegates between chunky sections and thin sections be aware that this may not be an entirely accurate way to measure the yarn. Remember when you are wrapping the yarn to wrap it firmly, but don't pull too tightly. Also don't squish as many wraps as you can possibly squeeze and pry into that inch.

You are measuring the width of the yarn strands. Now take your wpi information to your LYS or personal stash. Now pick a yarn that you would like to use. Using the same technique, measure your chosen yarn's wpi. If both wpi measurements closely match, the substitute yarn should give you a correct gauge.

Have you ever found a pattern that instantly intrigued you? You immediately set about finding the perfect yarn in the perfect shade, and you could just envision the completed project. Settled into the perfect crocheting location, you dug through your hook case for the proper size hook. But the hook wasn't there. I know I have at least 2 hooks in each size, so I hate when that happens. Invariably I realize where the absent hook is, languishing with one unfinished project or other in my UFO basket. I'm not sure how many UFOs I have accumulated but I would venture a guess you could count them on both hands, well maybe both hands of two people. How do they accumulate so quickly? Why does a project end up in the UFO basket? When I conceived the idea for this blog the other day, I had a plan. And it was the perfect plan. I have a beautiful summer top in my UFO basket. All it lacks are a couple of short, flirty sleeves, weaving in a few loose ends, and blocking. This blog would give me the motivation to finish the top and write a short piece on finishing a UFO.

But when I found myself with an hour to kill yesterday and a hook, ball of rich burnt orange yarn, and a quick pattern handy, I couldn't resist. The delicate summer top has moved to the top of the UFO basket, but if I pick it up I will merely replace it with a different UFO. So what pushes a project into the black abyss of the UFO basket? Maybe a project is pushed aside when something new catches my eye, that particular project simply isn't handy and I simply HAVE to crochet, or the project is out of season or I fear it will no long fit me well. Perhaps it doesn't matter why a project sits in my UFO basket. How do I get it out of the basket into my closet? Have you found any good motivators or do you also suffer from severe UFOitis?
~Toni Rexorat