I love colorwork! And I hate tangled yarn almost as much - it's the worst! So here is my method for keeping the yarn coming and making Colorwork Without Tangles!
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links;
Lion Brand provided the yarn for this video; Furls provided the hook for this video.
Colorwork Without Tangles
As Seen in this Video (click for more info!)
So what it comes down to is... when you are working with multiple colors or skeins of yarn like this, whenever you switch colors or turn your work, you twist the strands of yarn up together. By lining them up in a box/bucket/small canoe, you can spin the bucket as you work, in the opposite direction of the twist in the yarn, et voila! Untwisted yarn ready to knit or crochet! This can be so much easier than spinning your work - especially when it'a big project!
When you are pulling the yarn from the center of the skein, and working in the same stripe pattern throughout - such as ABCABCABC, that's all you need to do!
But if you are working tapestry crochet (and bobbins are too small), or stripes that have a varying pattern - such as ABCBCBA, or you have to pull from the outside of the skein, then you can still use the bucket method, but I'd suggest one addition - pull the yarn you are using out of the bucket, finish that row/round/section, and then put it back in the bucket in its order. This one move will save so much time in the end!
What is YOUR best tip for keeping the yarn flowing when multiple colors are threating to become a tangled mess? Please share in the comments! And in the meantime, you can pin this one for later:
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ELIZABETH RIVERA says
Wonderful idea of keeping the yarn untangled and also making rows of different colors. Thanks I will use your idea.
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I'm so glad you like it, I hope it works as well for you!
Lisa Shavlik says
Tamara, you are so smart!! I love your tips and your willingness to share with those of us who need them!!😀
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I'm so glad they help! Thank you Lisa!
Nancy Spoolman says
I had a large Chicago Bulls Graphgan to do. I purchased enough skeins of yarn for each letter (and then some). I had a metal rack and put the skeins on 3 levels. Had the metal rack sitting on the right of me and started in. When I got to the letters, at the end of each row, I'd flip the graphgan. It was easy at first, but when it got so large I had to get up each time, However, it worked slick and there may have been only one or two skeins I would have to set in the other side. I think I had 28 skeins of yarn! I tried to make another, but I have not finished it yet. You can see the first finished one here: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/271764158741392179/
Nanc
Tamara Kelly says
What a great solution! And amazing project!! But then I'm biased, having been at school in DeKalb IL in the 90s! 😉
Sue b says
Good tip. Could place container lazy susan and rotate as well.
Thanks!
Tamara Kelly says
Yes, that would be a great addition!
Karen says
.....and if you're lazy like me, you could just spin the lazy susan with your foot! Yay!
Judi Paul says
It is a simple solution to a frustrating problem! Thank you, Tamara I love it. simple solutions are always best. Judi
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much! 😀
Dee says
Pretty cool, but I would probably turn my work rather than the box, of course, depending on the size of your work. If it's small, yeah, but something like a blanket, then your idea would be best.
Cynthia Kuk says
I use jumbo stitch markers to pin my skeins to the project. As I finish one color, I move the skin to the back. I like this because it is organized and I feel like I can finally be mobile again with my blanket.
Tamara Kelly says
I like that for bobbins, but I haven't tried it for full skeins! Great solution!
Erica says
This is great! Very helpful. Thank you!
Jeannine says
Thank You very much I have bean looking for a solution for so long
Now you just have it to me
Very grateful
Tamara Kelly says
🙂 I hope it helps you, thank you for commenting!
pat gray says
neat idea.
Jill Jensen says
I have avoided finishing a project for two years because managing the yarn has been such a pain The guilt about not finishing has kept me from crocheting anything else.
You just saved my bacon! Can't wait to pick up my hook again!
Tamara Kelly says
That made my day! 😀 Thank you so much Jill!
Patricia Kellmann says
Tamara I've been subscribed to you for a long time but he Dr did a Grantham which I understand but I'm making one light blue background with a moon which is in yellow but also has wording in light blue how many bobbins would you half to have or skeins of yarn as started this but getting so frustrated no one addresses this could you email me or comment soon thanks pat
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Patricia! I'm sorry I got a little confused by your question. It sounds like you are asking how many bobbins to make? Basically, you need a bobbin for each color section you are working. So let's say Rows 1-4 all go blue, green, blue. You would need 2 blue bobbins and 1 green bobbin. Later, if you add a section of red, you'll need a red bobbin. Does that make sense?