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changing colors

2732 views 3 replies Latest reply: November 18, 2019 at 10:26:05 AM

Member since:
Nov 6, 2019
Posts: 6

JanetMarie message #1
changing colors
November 16, 2019 at 5:58:52 PM

What is prefered to change color in a blanket? Cutting the yarn and weave through or carring the yarn behind the stitch being worked? I see that the second one would use up a lot of yarn that is not being stitched.

Since it is a blanket and pattern will be seen on both sides and there may be only one stitch of a color and then changes, (I have five colors for the entire blanket). I feel that cutting the yarn with a decent long tail to work on the back row may be the best.

Any thoughts?

This is the image and below is what the Wizard created. I can share the pattern.

JanetMarie

Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)

Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4610

Stitchboard Admin message #2
Re: changing colors
November 17, 2019 at 8:08:33 AM (in response to JanetMarie message #1)

Janet,

What an adorable dog!

For shorter areas of yarn, it's best to wind it onto bobbins. You're right not to want to carry colors over long distances where they aren't used; it's inefficient and would only add to the bulk. And there's really no need to carry it if a particular color isn't used in a huge area.

Bobbins will allow you the freedom of not having to jockey around many colors at once. You can leave the bobbins hanging from the work, out of your way, while you have the freedom to work other areas.

There's another way of working in colors, which someone here (BetwixtTheStitch - Sherry) uses often: cross stitch.

Cross stitch could be used on single crochet for smaller areas. Instead of single crochet, Sherry uses Tunisian as a base and will then cross stitch over that. Single crochet will also work; the particular crochet stitch is a personal choice. Cross stitch allows for a bit more control over where colors go and then you don't have to plan quite so far ahead.

Melanie (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict. If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.

Member since:
Jul 3, 2013
Posts: 575

BetwixtTheStitch message #3
Re: changing colors
November 17, 2019 at 9:57:15 AM (in response to JanetMarie message #1)

JanetMarie,

Bobbins really are your best bet, you'll have far fewer ends to weave. By using bobbins, you can just drop one color to change, and then pick it up on the next row. I might carry for 2-3 stitches, but no more, and if it's a drastic difference in color it will show through.

Here's a pic of my cheap wood clothespin bobbins in use.

Another way is cross stitch, which is a little easier than using bobbins but takes a whole lot longer.

Here's a pic of a piece of one of my cross stitch on tunisian pieces.

Hope that helps.

Sherry

Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)

Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4610

Stitchboard Admin message #4
Re: changing colors
November 18, 2019 at 10:26:05 AM (in response to BetwixtTheStitch message #3)

Sherry,

Thank you so much for posting these pics!

The clothespins are absolutely brilliant!

Either way, I think both pieces look amazing. And the unicorn cross stitch pops!

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