Everyone asks how I blend my yarns so well. I normally reply that I use a pitchfork, bacon grease and 3D glasses.  But after a few slaps to the head, I behave and give more intelligent advice.  This guide will be about switching yarns while knitting.  I realize some of you will read this and say, "Duh!" but I would not be writing this if I had not been asked for advice.  Others are having trouble with the concept so if you know all of this already, try to sit still and be quiet.  Or run out and get Starbucks for all of us.

The easiest way to explain what I do is to have you try a swatch. This should only take 20 minutes.  Even less if you've been drinking Starbucks.  Choose three worsted weight yarns that look completely different in terms of color.  Yeah. We're going to make an ugly swatch so you can see what it is you did and how you did it. Next select a needle size that is about a size larger than the yarn calls for.  Designate your colors A, B and C. 

Cast on 12 stitches with A. 

Row 1: knit across. In fact, knit all the odd rows.

Row 2: purl across.  You will purl across all the even rows.

Row 3: knit across.

Row 4:  Leave A hanging there.  Make a slip knot with a three-inch "tail" with B. Purl across working the tail into your knitting. It will be bulkier than the other rows.  I'll address that in a minute.

Row 5: knit across with B.

Row 6: purl across holding A and B together.

Row 7: knit across with B only.

Row 8: leave B hanging.  Make a slip knot with a three-inch "tail" with C. Purl across working the tail into your work.  It will be bulkier here, too.  And now you will have strands hanging all over creation.

Row 9: knit across with A.

Row 10: purl across with B.

Row 11: knit across with C.

Keep going until you feel you are getting the hang of it.  At any time, if A, B and C are creating a humongous tangle, cut one off at the seam and tie a knot that won't show when you sew the seams together which is sort of the beginner method.  OR create a slit knot and work the tail into your knitting.  The more distinct your colors are and the more often you switch at the end of a row, the more striped your results will be.  The more you alternate between A, B, C and D and E and however many yarns you have, plus the more SIMILAR your colors are and the more you work the tails into your work, the more blended the effects will be. 

But before you start making a coat the size of a Buick, please do this:  measure your gauge.  I asked you to use slightly larger needles to allow for those bulky double-yarn rows.  How did they turn out?  If you're using worsted weight yarn and you're getting 4 stitches to the inch on every row, that's great.  If some rows are wider than others, you will likely need to swap needle sizes now and then as you work...unless you like the results you are getting.  Also look at the color changes that started on knit rows versus the color changes that started on purl rows.  If you always swap colors on a purl row, you'll have a nicer look on the "right" side of the piece.  But if you don't mind the dotted lines or if you're doing straight knit on both sides, then don't worry about what everyone says you "should" do.  Rely on what you like.  It's your work.  You go, girl.

This is not the only way to blend yarns.  It is one way and it is intended to simplify the mystery for beginners who are nervous about this sort of thing.  If you feel encouraged by this swatch test, try it again with yarns similar in color and texture and you will like your results much better.  If you're familiar with the yarn in my store, THIS, my darlings, is what it is all about.  This is why I create yarns in color families and this is how I knit every day of my life. I haven't made a solid-color anything in over a decade.  This is what the rest of us have been doing with yarn-mixing, or at least one way of doing it.  Good luck.  Experiment.  There is much more to knitting than following concise directions and I hope you enjoy this great adventure that awaits you.

Don't let your particular faith or religion--or lack of one--deter you from this book. This book is not going to convert you to Buddhism or any other mindset. What it does focus on is knitting and the stress-relieving and spiritual benefits derived from the process. There are a lot of interviews with knitters--something I don't care for in a book--but in this volume, it seems fairly necessary to show the many diverse approaches one can take to a craft. Here's a passage I like:

"If Clare's learned anything in particular from her unexpected journey, it would be that it's okay to follow pursuits that may look ridiculous to others. When she was working as a [TV] producer, taking a break to make yarn food [yes, you read that right] felt silly and frivolous. 'Still, it make me feel so much better. No matter how crazy people think a thing is, that's their problem.' Clare reflects on the scarcity of role models for the kind of career she's chosen and how those who are interested in pursuing their own dreams often have to make their own paths. 'I didn't see someone with this specific career and think, "I want that job." I just did what I had to do." [paragraph] 'And you know what?' She leans closer in a conspiratorial whisper. 'The world will let you do it.'" What a terrific legacy to bestow on the reader! As someone who has not had role models and who has created new and unusual career paths from scratch, I could relate to that. Kudos to Bernadette Murphy for bringing us such gems.-- (c) 2006 dj runnels

In case you are new to blogs, this one is dedicated to creativity and cultural experiences.  But...

• Ebay says we cannot link to or promote specific listings or products on OR off ebay.  No company logos, ads, promotions. If you mention one of my yarn colors by name, talk about it in terms of your own experience. Visitors interested in it must go find it by themselves. We are not here to "sell" anything. I am hoping that knitters will join in and give advice or discuss multistrand yarn and knitting in general. It's okay to show photos of your work and that is the part I look forward to the most.
• But it's not just about knitting.  It's all types of exploration of creativity and cultures.  LAE embraces all races, ethnicities, creeds, religions, people, countries, places and periods of history, age groups, etc. and we do not put down anyone, which means no profanity or flaming. 
• That's all I have for now. Talk.  Mingle. I'll be out getting some chips and salsa.--dj runnels