Fun with lace samplers

We just added the new lace samplers to the web site, and I just love them! Tina did a great job picking out the colors for these. I had to make desktop wallpaper out of the photos right away to celebrate.

When I first saw the samplers, I immediately wanted one (okay, more than one), but then I thought, "what on earth am I going to do with six hanks of lace?" After all, I don't wear shawls, and I can't wear wool or alpaca against my neck because of the itch factor (even super soft Merino and Baby Alpaca--boo). Then I remembered an article I read in a past Interweave Knits about double stranding yarn to make slow color changes. These samplers are perfect because the colors are in the same families and not too contrasting. Never having tried this technique before, I had to test it out for myself.

The way it works is that you take multiple strands of different colors and switch out the strands one at a time. I decided to use the Sunset Picnic sampler and choose four of the colors to double strand. I figured double stranding lace would get me something close to sock weight and, sure enough, I got 8 stitches to the inch on #1s. You could also triple strand the yarn for a thicker weight and even more subtle color changes. (Funny enough, just days after I did this, I noticed a scarf by Eunny Jang in the Interweave Knits summer preview that looks like it uses this exact technique.)

The colors I chose are:
A = Alpaca Cloud Papaya Heather
B = Shadow Hot Rod Heather
C = Shadow Sunset Heather
D = Gloss Lace Chipotle

At the right you can see a close up of my scanned swatch. The letters indicate which yarns I'm double stranding. I changed strands every 5 rows. As you can see, I chose two of the yarns to be my "main" colors (A & C) and the other two to just be transition colors (B & D). I love how it turned out.

This next image is a Photoshopped file to show two repeats as they would look in a sock. Pretty cool, huh? I was a little skeptical that the double stranded yarn would be pleasant to knit, but I found that it didn't bother me at all. The lace is thin enough that it twists together a bit and feels just like a loosely plied slightly splitty yarn. Using this technique, there's enough yarn to make 2 pairs of socks according to my calculations. Or you could make a Bohus-style yoked sweater, or legwarmers, or gloves...the possibilities are endless!

Tags: double, lace, samplers, stranding

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Comment by jamielynnecrissman on June 30, 2008 at 7:48pm: This double strand color changing is exactly what I do with my scarves -- and what a wonderfully clear explanation you give -- the pictures are a definite plus. For anyone tempted by this idea, I can tell you it's a perfect way to create a wash of color, with gradual shifts that flow together and can even blend colors you might never think of pairing -- or even two different yarns. I still need practice at adding /dropping yarns gracefully, but I'm learning, and this technique with two strands is my favorite way to knit.

Comment by Mary Alice Smith on May 13, 2008 at 7:41am: I set the ice cream cones as my desktop wallpaper last night and this morning I couldn't help but smile when the computer booted. Thank you for a delightful picture.

Comment by Roxane on May 5, 2008 at 5:42am: Hmm. I was thinking of doing a Pi shawl with color variations, with just rows of holes every six rows, to take along on my knitting cruise this fall. This just might be a great way to do it.

Comment by Creweler on May 2, 2008 at 5:04pm: Love it. I just ordered Sea View because these are colors that I don't normally use and because they are not in my lace yarn stash. Looking forward to playing with the technique.

I've been wanting ot work a triangel shawl with some color variation but not with a dyed yarn. This may be my solution!!!

I found the photos most useful - its great to see how the colors of different yarns relate to each other. Also, if you own one of the yarns, having various yarns displayed next to each other gives you a good idea of colors (even allowing for differences in monitors).

I agree that patterns would have been a definite plus.

Comment by Kerin on May 2, 2008 at 7:57am: Hmmmmm.... I might just have to keep that in mind! Awesome technique!

Comment by Nisha on May 1, 2008 at 2:58pm: These are beautiful. If they had come with a couple of patterns or pattern options, I probably would've gotten them, even tho I don't knit with lace weight yarn. LOL
I'm hoping to see some more sock samplers for the spring/summer hopefully with patterns....