How to Alternate Skeins in Your Knitting/Crochet Projects

[@traceyeason2107]

I love this idea and love the sound effects!!!

[@karenwoodhull]

You taught me how to knit 7 years ago and I am still learning from you! Thank you so much for all your teaching videos!

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Thank you for watching! 😘

[@Marooska1]

Oh wow! Thank you Chandi I never would have thought to do it this way. Makes sense to me.

[@gloamishvonsatyrburg4635]

I was just talking with my mom about this last night... Never done it before. And I'm interested in learning. And what do you know you just happen to have a video, and you even sent it to me. You're impressive

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

You're so welcome 🥰

[@chrisb1682]

Thanks Chandi! Hadn’t even heard of a three skein method. Very clear explanations and love the expressions for leaving the yarn at the end of a row, made me giggle cos I do the same 😂🌿

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

You are so welcome! 😂

[@withthesehands1631]

Never thought about a 3 skeins method, so thanks for explaining! Love the dress!

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Thanks! 😍

[@scotthunt7077]

You are so funny teaching us , it’s really enjoyable watching your videos. Thank you so much for your work, I have been watching a few videos from you today, just watching not practicing yet. A few years ago I wanted to to learn crochet and I started with an afghan, what a mistake! A lot of mistakes and I stopped doing it. Now with your videos I feel that I want to try again, I saw your work and I love it ❤, very sophisticated and elegant. So if I want to do some of your works I need to go to email you for the pattern or you have videos of how to do the whole work?( meaning king of yarn number of the needle and the pattern) Thank you so much. Elena.

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Please visit our website (www.expressionfiberarts.com/) for all of our patterns, some of them are available for free some you have to purchase. For most of the designs we offer youtube tutorials but usually these only cover part of the design so downloading the full written pattern is always your best option. I hope this explains it. Have a wonderful day! 💕

[@cathkat3993]

Thank you for showing the 3 skein method. That is what I'm looking into.

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

You are so welcome! 💚💚💚

[@rositarodriguez1224]

Thanks!! Love your dress by the way.

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Thanks Rosita!

[@barbfrench4404]

You have such a wonderful display of your yarn. Could you talk about storage, organization, and displaying (safely) yarns? Also, then using from the stash for projects. I am so frustrated with plastic bins being space taking and not seeing the yarns so I buy more. Thanks Chandi!!

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

That's a fabulous suggestion! I think we can do something on that!

[@KittenWAW]

Thanks for this video. This can also be a way to blend two different variegated colorways into one cohesive look, especially if they share one or two similar colors.

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

For sure! 😊

[@jonellesandel1066]

I use helical method. Would be great to see video on that.

[@alisonreeves7414]

@@jonellesandel1066 what is that please

[@siyaz]

You are just delightful! And those sound effects :-)

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

😍😍

[@chantalcollin9512]

Thank you Chandi. This video was very useful.

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

You are welcome, Chantal!

[@butterflykisses-judym7550]

Awesome, thank you .... I have seen your beautiful projects and want to get back into knitting again ...

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

How cool! I hope you get back into it!

[@meganblankenship2409]

I just want to let you know you made my day with that 3 skein alternation tutorial. I have been puzzling over how to use my 3 skeins in a project. I was disappointed when I got them because 1 was very saturated in color while the other 2 had bare patches of white in them where the dye hadn't gotten to. This wasn't your yarn by the way. But now that I saw this tutorial I can make sure that those bare patches get evenly distributed throughout the project. Thank you so much!

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Very Cool! 😍

[@dorididit]

Awesome info

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Positivedrops]

Love the sound effects. 😍

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

lol! Thanks!

[@ccpperrett7522]

Thank you Chandi! Great tips!

[@theastewart6721]

Yeah, what a great idea! Thanks Chandi!

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Anytime! ❤️

[@nanowens6082]

This was very helpful. Thank you Chandi! Could you do a short video on the beautiful ChiaGoo circular needles you use? I looked at them online and was totally confused. I’m considering purchasing a complete set, which is nearly $200. There are so many choices, and I didn’t see the same ones I saw in your tutorials (the ones with silver tips and copper colored shafts). Bless you!

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

So happy it was a helpful tutorial. Unfortunately, we're not planning on making a needle review one currently but the set used is the "Chiaogoo Twist 5” InterChangable Set Complete". It is approx. $200 but worth the investment if you enjoy metal needles. I hope this helps. 😍

[@nanowens6082]

Thank you so much, Chandi! That helps a lot! Hugs!

[@joannvandiver869]

That's a great idea to know about, keeping a good clean look. !💜💜💕

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

❤️❤️❤️

[@laurentelmanik3002]

I would love to see a step by step oversized sweater tutorial.

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Love that suggestion!

[@yarniequallscrochet]

Great info! I just bought my first batch of hand dyed yarn, so this is will really help.

[@naomischwartz1308]

Really helpful diagram for 3 skein rotation

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Perfect! ❤️

[@lindabrush8054]

Thank you, very helpful. Oddly enough your yarn looks like the malabrigo I am using in the color way Jupiter! 😊

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

You are welcome! 😍😍

[@ldtoner]

Love your videos and tips.❤️

[@suzannelee1567]

Can you explain what you do with the ends when you knit two colors. For a shawl. Thanks 😊

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Are you talking about the tails that occur when you add or a cut a color? You'll eventually weave those in just like you do at the CO and BO edge. Some people wait until they're finished to do that. Some do it along the way if the tails are getting in the way.

[@amommalee9105]

Just gotta say, I loved the raspberries to drop a skein!😂

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

💕💕💕

[@wilmer4258]

Thank you for this hint!!!

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

You are welcome!

[@carolinejackson7933]

Thank you, this was very helpful. 🌸

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

You are very welcome!

[@djm9100]

What a great idea, thanks for sharing.

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

No problem! : )

[@knittingdetective4519]

Show your audience how to alternate skeins while knitting in the round. Great video, thank you.

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Great idea! Thanks! ❤️

[@yelenaconley1725]

Wonderful,Thank you.

[@gloriakoch4242]

Love the videos. Thank you.

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Thank you! ❤️

[@tinawilliams9775]

That’s a great idea. Thanks! 😁

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

😍

[@ewakraft5770]

On Creery fist sweater pattern, it is recommended. But it is in rounds with bulky yarn. Where do you change the yarn best? And with 2 or 3 skins? I get holes or ugly eyesores.

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Hi Ewa, thank you for your question. I'll do my best to help. I'd alternate with 2 skeins and the best spot to do it is probably under the arm along the side. it should be least visible there. I hope this helps. Have fun knitting your Creery sweater. 💕

[@ewakraft5770]

@ExpressionFiberArts Second question, is it really necessary? I ordered a lot of yarn from you yesterday including pattern for knitting and crocheting and planning to do some sweaters. I did not see you do it on the sweater Creery masterclass. Did you skip it on your sweater? Thank you for answering.

[@bonnieburkhardt2780]

Looking for alternating 2 skeins every crochet row as the pattern suggests.

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

I hope this video helps!

[@bonnieburkhardt2780]

Actually read the pattern wrong, alternating every 2 rows and I know how to do that.

[@QMJudy]

Oh, cool! I'm thinking that the 3 skein method would work for the red/white/blue scarf I need to make for Special Olympics. It ought to come out striped. We'll see!

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

That would be awesome!

[@CookwithCatalina]

Edison , sent me here. So illuminating ! ;P

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

😊😊

[@guyivie8987]

The part I really wanted to know was missing: how to carry the various strands up the side so they don't show.

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Starting at 1:45, this video will show you what you're looking for: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpjQp2d6oMqtotE

[@beverly880]

So wish I knew this a few montha ago when I was knitting a sweater with hand dyed yarn. Can you explain how to work with the trailing yarn on the side? Thank you!

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

HI Beverly, you're very welcome. Here is a video on how to alternate color: blog.expressionfiberarts.com/2020/06/12/sonder/ I hope this is helpful to you and answers your question. 💕

[@margueriteantee7185]

Ty

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

You are welcome! ❤️

[@queenKnits]

Thanks that was helpful.

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

You are welcome, Amanda!

[@toniesolomon]

Hi plz make a video on the sweater ur knitting in this video plz shandi

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Thanks for the feedback. We are planning on doing a sweater tutorial for you soon! ❤️

[@toniesolomon]

@@ExpressionFiberArts thx shandi ur so sweet

[@marinvanz.1924]

Hello, I have a question: this video is all about knitting, while the title says knitting and crocheting. But I don't see anything about crocheting, and that's the one I've been searching for. I really want to know how I do alternating skeins on crocheting. Can you or somebody here, please help me? Many thanks

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Hi Marin, thank you for your comment. The way of alternating skeins is the same in knitting and crocheting. We have another tutorial that shows how to alternate/change colors every other row in crochet (kzbin.info/www/bejne/on-Xd615p8x_d7c&lc=UgwuiVl6p9CiMdihGvp4AaABAg) and that might answer your question a bit better. I hope this helps. Have a lovely day! 💕

[@sandrapatenaude186]

I love the cubes for your yarn storage! Where did you get them?

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Those are from Ikea. I think that yarn the Kallax ❤️

[@butterflykisses-judym7550]

I do both crochet and knitting

[@andreamiller6200]

The depiction of how to work with 3 alternating skeins was helpful as you illustrated it, but do you happen to have a video that shows what it looks like with yarn on the needles? I was also wondering how you advise to blend skeins when you have, say, 9 or 10 to work into a sweater. Is there any kind of guideline about which skeins to mix throughout the sweater, and would you save partial skeins to make the sleeves, for example?

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Andrea, if you're working with 9 or 10 skeins, I'd still alternate 3 at a time. Anything beyond that is usually not necessary. You could reallllly blend all the skeins if you wanted by shifting from 1 skein to another (switching it out entirely for a new skein), before finishing the 3 skeins, this way you're incorporating many different skeins but still only working with 3 at a time. I hope that helps.

[@andreamiller6200]

@@ExpressionFiberArts This definitely helps! I was thinking maybe like a painter and wondered how to group the current 3 skeins to work with out of the set, is there any advice about whether to blend the lightest with the darkest, and so on and so forth across all the skeins?

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

@@andreamiller6200 I would just choose random skeins honestly as most skeins in the batch should be fairly close in color!

[@andreamiller6200]

@@ExpressionFiberArtsExcellent and thanks!

[@melberry22]

You should make a video for the Edina pillow!

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Love that suggestion! ❤️

[@Nenita409]

Thanks!!! Do you have any brioche knitting projects we can make together?

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Not currently! But that is something that we can work on! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@Nenita409]

ExpressionFiberArts thank you! I’m looking forward to getting your book because I get compliments on my work all the time, and I’m interested in figuring out how to sell them. I love this alternated row idea.

[@debmidas7736]

What about the helix method?

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Hi Deb, thanks for pointing this out. Yes, the helix method is also a great way to alternate skeins. Have a wonderful weekend! 💕

[@Acresoflife]

How do I alternate in the round on a sweater? I'm a beginner. I've only ever done one sweater pattern twice. But one with with your buttery yarn and it definitely shows the change because i didn't know how to alternate skeins in the round. Help!

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Great idea! We'll try to get a video on that. Just pull your yarn up the inside, hiding it, just like in this video. :)

[@RameyRocks]

I've actually done this with 2 skeins of the same color way just different dye lots

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Awesome!

[@katiescheele7214]

I knit in the round. Any recommendations for alternating skeins?

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

You would pull the yarn up the inside of the work. 💕

[@jenniferfrederick2467]

Probably a silly question but I am a new crocheter - how do you keep the three skeins from tangling/twisting as you turn your work?

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Jennifer, great question! As you turn each time, just make sure your skeins/cakes are not getting twisted around each other and adjust as needed before working that row.

[@shahilagh]

What if you alternate every stitch or so?

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

You could do that, but it would use up a lot more yardage because you'd be carrying one yarn behind the other throughout, rather than just up the side, which would also make a thicker texture.

[@shahilagh]

@@ExpressionFiberArts good point. Thanks 🙏

[@shahilagh]

@@ExpressionFiberArts hi dear . I want to use a single color as base and then add the multi color yarn to create vertical strips. I thought this way I can tone down the color pattern of the yarn and also go sometimes crazy and do improvise ! However I wonder what is the good way to create vertical strips to avoid mess on the back of the work and also to prevent wasting the yarn? I want it for small size sweater. Thank you x

[@yaseminguener6485]

Hi, what if we want to alternate the skein every 2 other rows in crochet? I couldn't find any comprehensive video about this and if I just pick the color up after 2 rows there is loose yarn thread over the 2 rows of the other color at the beginning of the row.. Can you help please? :D

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Hi Yasemin, we have the following video: blog.expressionfiberarts.com/2014/09/26/how-to-change-colors-in-knitting-or-crocheting/ that shows how to change colors in crochet. For alternating skeins you will just redo this after 2 rows. I hope this makes sense and is helpful. 💕

[@zymmee]

So do you just pull the yarn up to the next row or do you weave it in somehow?

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Yes, you just pull it up the side. ☺️

[@zymmee]

Thanks so much for replying!

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

@@zymmee You are welcome!

[@rebeccahenry7941]

If the yarns aren’t tied together, what keeps them from falling apart...especially when washing? I’m a loom knitter and interested in making flat knit scarf with 2 hand dyed skeins. Thanks!

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Hi, Rebecca! Do you mean the yarns before they're knitted? Or after?

[@JelscreationsNmore]

What if its a color change and in the middle like a crochet graphgan I hate carrying the yarn over sometimes you can see it shine through

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Than you can do something like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6SqaJ-fo5empZY

[@JelscreationsNmore]

@@ExpressionFiberArts ty

[@loisjones9766]

What if you are crocheting in the round? Do you use a helix method where you do one less stitch and pick up next skein?

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

I wouldn't think it would make much difference since you're just trying to blend your skeins overall. :)

[@barbarayoung4300]

A three (or more) skein method that only uses two balls at a time: Alternate skeins 1 and 2 as Chandi shows, until you've knit 50% of each skein by weight. Cut away ball 1 and alternate skein 2 and skein 3 until skein 2 is all used up. Bring back skein 1 and alternate with skein 3. Or if you have a larger project, use the last 50% of skein 3 with the first 50% of skein 4, etc.

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Super helpful! ❤️❤️

[@joannabrown5577]

DEElightful!

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Thank you so much! ❤️❤️😍😍

[@adriac21]

Ok great advice but may I see it in progress just to have an idea.

[@ExpressionFiberArts]

Great suggestion!

[@neelagandans5193]

Cash on delivery order

[@sasezsas3574]

No this did not help at all ... drawing lines with markers ........... jee wiz