project ideas for 1 skein of hand-dyed yarn - The Woolly Worker Knitting Podcast

Hello, I'm Vanissia, welcome to this episode of The Woolly Worker Knitting Podcast where I go through a bunch of patterns you can use hand-dyed yarn for. This is the first of a series on handdyed, which focuses on 1 skein projects only. This podcast is a place for me to chat away about my knitting, plans for the future, yarn acquisitions, etc. I keep a very detailed description box, but if you have any questions, drop me a message :)
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Contact: [e-mail]
Instagram: / thewoollyworker
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NEW Ravelry Group: www.ravelry.com/groups/the-wo...
Ravelry bundle of projects mentionned in this video:
www.ravelry.com/bundles/1-ske...
- Timestamps -
0:00 Intro
5:50 1: Socks
13:30 2: Hats
19:24 3: Bralettes
26:17 4: Scarves
31:21 5: Bags
32:38 6: Tops/Tanks
44:14 6": Stripes!
48:26 Final thoughts and tips
- MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO -
If I've forgotten anything or you'd like more information, feel free to send me a message or leave a comment.
🧶 1: Socks
I'm so basic socks (Summer Lee), DK weight vanilla socks (Crazy Sock Lady), Basic ribbed socks (Kate Atherley), Broken record broken rib socks (Alex Parker Mooney), Ariel and Rosenlund socks (Sari Nordlund), Forest Trail ( Feine Handarbeiten), Simple skyp socks (Adrienne Ku)
🧶 2: Hats
Musselburgh (Ysolda Teague), Oslo hat (PetiteKnit), Two by two (Anne Gagnon), Jason cashmere hat (Melissa Thomson), Stalk and pip beret (Ailbíona McLochlainn), Beanie No. 5 (My Favourite Things Knitwear), Krøllekantlua 2.0 (Nina Ruth)
🧶 3: Bralettes
Framework bralette, ripple bralette, summer secret crop (Jessie Maed), Nurture bralette (Celine Feyten), Aphrodite bralette (Sonata Pileckaite)
🧶 4: Scarves
Laulu shawl (Sari Nordlund), Minou Scarf (Knitting Deer), The simple thing (Melina Brell), Augusta Lace Scarf (Quasigerade)
🧶 5: Bags
Teddy clutch, Winter clutch, Honeycomb bag (PetiteKnit)
🧶 5: Tops
Camisole no. 4 (MFTK), Lydia 2.0 (Courtney Little), Golden oak thank top (Amanitaknits), Mini mock neck tank and Totally tank top (Jessie Maed), Yoreum top (Aegyoknits), Ghost whisperer (Park Williams)
🧶 6: Stripes
Tombo tee (Florence Miller), Northwoods v-neck (Jessie Maed)
- Other Things Mentioned -
Zakami, Nervus Fibre, Dystopic Fibre, Fibre Fox, Pigment and Ply, Cookston Crafts
Explorer Knits and Fibers, Zeezee Textiles, Scranton Stitcher, Witch Fibre Co, Coast to Coast Yarn Co.
Aude - Bobbles and Berries
Florence - Handmade by Florence
- My Measurements -
To give an idea of how garments fit on me and what ease I wear them with, here are my measurements:
- 88cm / 34" bust
- 160cm / 5'3" tall
Music: Canals and Sunshine by Joakim Karud / @joakimkarud

[@Jess-uc5wo]

My favourite way to use hand dyed is to "cheat" at colourwork. If you've got a really interesting skein you can contrast it with a single solid colour and get a much more complicated looking effect without having to manage more than two colours.

[@thewoollyworker]

Oh yes, I didn't even include that ! But i LOVE some of the ones I've seen using contrasting yarns. Will make sure to include in the future videos of this series !

[@malinbjorkman4615]

Brilliant!! 🤩❤️

[@misscharlotte160]

I really loved this podcast!

[@NinaLanfer]

I love these videos, where you share tips and patterns. Be it in this format, for special yarn, or just your plans for the year or what have you. You have a way of expressing yourself that makes me want to listen to what you have to say. And I love listening to your thoughts and ideas. I've especially been enjoying your knit & chats lately. So thanks for sharing with us!

[@thewoollyworker]

Aw thank you so much, that was such a lovely comment, it makes me feel super motivated to keep making these videos as I can sometimes doubt myself and my way of expression things ! so thank you ♥

[@lisachun2726]

thank you!!! love your way and style. Great episode!

[@thewoollyworker]

Thank you so much!

[@lgassin]

I really like this format for reviewing patterns. I found the detail just right. Thanks!

[@thewoollyworker]

I'm so glad! Will keep in mind for the future !

[@notaclue822]

So useful! Thank you.

[@thewoollyworker]

You're welcome!

[@deborahking7873]

Yes another fabulous podcast, always so inspiring, Thank you

[@thewoollyworker]

Thanks for listening ♥

[@verylikecheryl]

Great episode, thank you, Vanissia. I am looking forward to the rest of the series 🧡

[@thewoollyworker]

You're welcome 😊 Looking forward to making more !

[@leannastoufer6333]

Thank you for this episode! I appreciate the ideas for making the most of a single skein of special yarn!

[@thewoollyworker]

Thanks for watching!

[@theyarngoeson]

This was a really great episode!! ❤ so many amazing pattern choices! Thanks for sharing 😊

[@thewoollyworker]

You are so welcome! ♥

[@deekay1641]

Great episode!! Lots of ideas and inspiration. Thank you so much. Take care

[@thewoollyworker]

Thanks for watching!

[@susiewhite9154]

What a great video full of ideas and inspiration! Will definitely be ‘favoriting’ the bundle you created. Thank you for all of your hard work❤

[@thewoollyworker]

Yay! Thank you! That's so good to hear :D ♥

[@kyllito]

Loved this video! Looking forward to next one!

[@thewoollyworker]

Yay! Thank you!

[@fiddliedee01]

Love all your suggestions, makes me look at my single skeins of hand-dyed in a different way. thank you. 😊

[@thewoollyworker]

Wonderful! So happy I could help!

[@karenruthel7723]

Such a great podcast!Inspiring and really helpful…thank you Vanissia 😊xx🧶

[@thewoollyworker]

Thank you so much! xx

[@mariesaunders9951]

What a very informative podcast! Thank you for sharing. You've given me lots of ideas for my hand dyed stash!

[@thewoollyworker]

Perfect ! Hope you love what you make !

[@QueenBaha]

🌿🌷 I’ll just say I had ravelry opened whilst watching this podcast absolutely brilliant very thorough. Perfect with knitting and a cuppa🌷🌿

[@thewoollyworker]

So glad you enjoyed it and explored alongside ! I'll definitely keep making these !

[@helenalderson6797]

Some great ideas thank you I try to buy a skein of hand dyed yarn when we visit different areas with our caravan.

[@thewoollyworker]

That's a great idea! Would love to get some souvenir skeins myself !

[@lorishockley3891]

I really enjoyed this episode! Format is great!

[@thewoollyworker]

Thank you!

[@judithknitter]

Very interesting thank you. I have just started spinning and have lots of 100g skeins that I don’t know what to do with. I am inspired x

[@thewoollyworker]

That's good to hear ! Hope you love what you make with your own handspun !

[@ronflannery5642]

Enjoyed your podcast and appreciate all of the effort you put into it searching for patterns to go with the yarns. I look forward to what you do with the two skeins of hand dyed yarns.

[@thewoollyworker]

Thank you so much for the kind words !

[@PriscillaWhite-Tocker]

This video was very informative and I appreciate the enormous amount of research you did. I had never thought of using hand-dyed yarn within striped projects and I am inspired by this Idea - I have added the Northwoods V neck to my Ravelry queue. I have mostly used hand-dyed yarn for socks and shawls, but the results have been very mixed and as a result I have hand-dyed yarn that has been sitting in my stash for years. One pattern I did many years ago using hand-dyed was the Cedar Leaf Shawlette by Alana Damon’s and it came out beautifully (it’s on Ravelry). Also the attached lace edging is a fun technique to learn if you have never tried it!

[@thewoollyworker]

Thanks for the shawl recommendation ! And yea, I don't want to end up hoarding my handdyed stash for too long because I never know what to do with it :O

[@ajborthwick7239]

A really good list and I liked the format:)

[@thewoollyworker]

Yay, thank you!

[@valeriebellecats8939]

The overview was great, thanks.

[@thewoollyworker]

You're welcome x

[@QueenBaha]

🌴☀️3:40 seconds in…..ooooowwwww I’m gonna love this one yum☀️🌴

[@malinbjorkman4615]

This is the type of video that I watch three times, as being so, so interesting!! 😉😍 And yes, I do have a sweaters quantaty in a lovely colorway that I havn’t dared to use YET. But I will soooooon give them a try!!! 😅❤❤

[@thewoollyworker]

Aw thank you!! And yes, so hard to pick just the perfect pattern for handdyed sweater quantity !

[@moragguthrie8930]

Very useful and informative. Thank you.

[@thewoollyworker]

Glad it was helpful!

[@juliedelaney2025]

I'm enjoying your videos and am inspired. My favorite varigated hand dyed one skein project is Close to You shawlette. It's easy to wear and showcases the yarn.

[@thewoollyworker]

I'll check it out! Thanks for recommending !

[@gk1322mm]

Watching this months after it came out, but wanted to add my two cents: the joanie boatneck by poison grrls (patterns available through their website since they left ravelry, ravelry does have a good number of projects). It's a striped half sleeve tshirt, you can make it as striped and scrappy as you want. I did choose a main colour and used up a full skein of that colour, but you can also make it with 5-6 half skeins or smaller in all different contrasting colours, so it also fits the bill of your hand dyed scraps video idea

[@thewoollyworker]

oh thanks, thats a fantastic idea !

[@rantygobshyte8219]

Think I'll be making bralettes - moatly to wear as vests when the weather gets cold

[@thewoollyworker]

Good idea !

[@MrsKWheatley]

I played yarn chicken and made the Ranunculus with 1 skein of hand-dyed fingering weight. Thank you for another super webinar that has taught me lots.

[@thewoollyworker]

Oh of course, that slipped my mind, but people rave about this pattern for being able to do that !! I'll add it to the bundle on ravelry. And glad you enjoyed !

[@MaddameKat]

I've been pondering the nurture bralette for a while so this might be the sign I needed to cast it on. I am planning on using up some hand dyed yarn in a sweater as a feature sleeve with a matching cuff on the other sleeve

[@thewoollyworker]

Oh that sounds so cute !! Will remember that for future projects. And yes, take it as a sign!

[@phoenixhulsey2868]

You've 'knitfluenced' me to get the ghost whisperer pattern, it's been sitting in my cart anyway, but after you said the ultimate goal is to layer your knits, I'm like yeah, it is! I also have a bralette pattern I'm intending to make too! Thanks for sharing your ideas! :)

[@thewoollyworker]

Aw glad you can relate to the feeling !! Can't wait to make my bralette. Hope you enjoy the ghost whisperer !

[@ll29123]

I usually keep them/try to make a fade and then do shawl. I discovered Stephen West and never went back. I also have a suri skein I plan to make a Bennet sister shawl with. I suggest you check Birdstreet Yarns and Blue Fern Yarns. They’re my 2 favourites 💕

[@thewoollyworker]

Ohh thanks for the recommendations!

[@annabelle7123]

Most ppl in my country use hand dyed yarn in lace like mohair and mix with similar solid yarn so it costs less but still show speckles and colors :)

[@thewoollyworker]

yes very good point ! i dont think ill ever buy the same colour twice in handdyed fingering and mohair, no point !

[@sunshineknit]

I loved this video! I am always looking for more ideas for single skeins (I only need so many socks, after all). I can't wait to see the future videos in this series! I am located in the US and am jealous of your access to UK/European dyers! I would love to order some Pigment and Ply and Nervus Fibres - will have to stomach the (very justifiable) shipping cost sometime soon.

[@thewoollyworker]

Exactly, I wanted to research more than socks !! Super motivated to continue the series as it seems to have helped ! And that's funny, we want what we can't have aha ! Some US dyers don't even ship to the UK so the option isn't there sometimes which helps my wallet aha

[@mckenzieblank8265]

I was just one row short (size 3) on the Allure Top by Kate Oates (just the double knit band so tucked underneath) and I made size 3! Super clear pattern and an adorable construction. Lightly variegated, stellina hand-dyed put to good use! Had exactly 400 meters of the fingering weight.

[@thewoollyworker]

Oh wow! That is a beautiful top!

[@isabellemeunier9486]

Super informative! I love the idea of stripes! For other projects, I have made mittens using one skein - it was not handyed but it was cachemire which is also expensive. So far I have made just one mitten - I guess I am having the second mitten syndrom! 😂

[@thewoollyworker]

Glad it was helpful! And that's a really good idea, I'll make sure to include mittens in a future video ! I've just cast on another Penny gloves pair and I'm trying 2 At The Time for once ! Still feels a bit sluggish ...

[@olgadabska1921]

❤

[@jessicalila3712]

I knit the Stalk and Pip beret, it was a great pattern!

[@thewoollyworker]

Oh yay good to know !!

[@nanoarias6310]

Every time I watch you I get soooo inspired ! Your joy is contagious ❤how many hours a day do you knit?

[@thewoollyworker]

Thank you so much, that's so nice to hear! And probably 4 !

[@manon_knitting]

such a nice video ! I bought one skein from Pigment and Ply to make the Laulu shawl (I was highly influenced by your version 😊)

[@thewoollyworker]

I'm so glad! Did you get the romance isnt dead or blood soaked gown?

[@manon_knitting]

Got the blood soaked gown 😊@@thewoollyworker

[@sidneyerickson4883]

I’ll add Jessie Mae’s Summer Secret Crop. Knit a size large with one skein and even added a little length. Looks great with hand dyed yarn.

[@thewoollyworker]

oh good to know !! So versatile

[@EricaGeurts]

Really informative. I never knew that was what “singles” meant!!! Maybe us knitters should campaign for better explanations on labels. I find the wording can be confusing and not useful. Like an estate agent’s advertisement 😂 A definite minefield for beginner knitters who are trying to get their heads round the difference between 4ply, fingering, sport……. Anyway thank you for all the research. Much appreciated.

[@thewoollyworker]

Glad it was helpful! And yes, I wish it was easier to understand all that stuff, but you pick up on it little by little .... i've learned so much from youtube !! more than yarn brands aha. Or when yarns say that they're "perfect for any project" ... this doesn't help!

[@CassieDA17]

The Musselburgh is one of my favorite patterns for hand dyed as well as socks. I’ve also made the lightweight hipster shawl and the Reyna shawl but I’m not really a shawl wearer. I need to find some good 2 skein garment projects (fingering weight)

[@thewoollyworker]

Oh interesting ! And yes, that's also why I didn't put shawls aha. I definitely have a lot of ideas for 2-skeins projects !

[@scpancakes]

I seem to end up making bralettes with my single skeins these days. But I have too many now!!!

[@thewoollyworker]

Awww no you can never have too many ! I think i'd prefer having more of these than socks !

[@Butterfly01_NL]

Hiya! Love the video, this is exactly what I needed after buying some hand-dyed skeins abroad! I do have a question though, you mention using one skein double, how would you go about this? I would like to try it but have not done that before so I am nervous I might tangle it up.

[@thewoollyworker]

Oh great, have fun !! And yes, if I only have one skein, I wind it up in a cake with my yarn swift (there are videos online on how to do that), then I can pull from the string from the centre and the string from the outside ! Some people say you can just use that first cake, put it on a scale, and use your winder to make a second cake from it until it weighs half of what it did ! But I usually don't do that :)

[@kathleentanti4387]

Josephine top by Jaimie Creates uses only 1 skein. I knit the third size with 350m of Suri silk from Wool and Works. Both ladies are Aussie crafters.

[@thewoollyworker]

Thank you! Good to know !

[@labaker2821]

Love the video. I couldn’t find the scarf you mentioned after the Laulu scarf. Could you maybe mention the designer? It was beautiful.

[@thewoollyworker]

Minou Scarf by Luisa Rehkopf on Ravelry ! Let me know if you still can't find it

[@cuddlingcuddles]

Great video and helpful as it makes your brain to be a bit more creative. Have you checked designer Neringa Ruke? She has some bags, one is Romance clutch bag.

[@thewoollyworker]

Oh yes I know the bag you're talking about !! Looks super gorgeous too

[@mlea79]

I recently got some hand dyed yarn from America and it was a merino silk cashmere blend. Its so nice. I'm wondering if you know of any hand dyers in the uk that sell this yarn content? Really enjoyed this. I'm off to yarndale in September so it's nice to have an idea of what I want before I go.

[@thewoollyworker]

Oh yes, I love that base ! Cookston crafts, zakami, fibre fox, pigment and ply are the few ive listed that i know do this, top of my head, I have some from zakami and it's a dream. It's becoming a popular base ! And yes, defo try and grab some at yarndale x

[@mlea79]

@@thewoollyworker Thanks I will have a look at the ones you’ve suggested

[@biscuitmessiah1774]

Costal colours and north shire yarns have done yarndale in the past and have some beautiful silk/cashmere/alpaca blends available. I’ve used both so can recommend 😊

[@mlea79]

@@biscuitmessiah1774 Brilliant i will look out for them. It’s always nice to squish the yarn and see the colours in person

[@malinbjorkman4615]

Can I ask a shipping related question?! I live in Sweden. After Brexit, how is shipping effected to countries still inside EU? I’m also into gardering, and bying seads became much more complicated and/or expensive after Brexit. How about ordering YARN from UK? 🇬🇧 Maybe seads are more heavyly regulated, under different laws etc , than yarn 🤔. And bying from US I know adds extra taxes, that trap I fell into, yes! 🙄😢 Thanks! ❤️🧶

[@thewoollyworker]

Hiya, I'm not too sure, sorry! I think on UK yarn websites, they tell you if they ship to europe or not, and usually they tell you if there are fees to pay you would be responsible as the buyer !

[@nanoarias6310]

At the end you asked what more we would wish for… I wish you kept the pictures of your projects up next to you a bit longer! Please

[@thewoollyworker]

No problem at all, will do !!

[@pattyellen1954]

😊 thank you for sharing @69 I'm making bralettes for me

[@thewoollyworker]

Have fun! Can't wait to make my ones