Yarn Guide System
with instructor Steve Butler
Class 151
What is it? – If you’re a fan of stranded color work like Fair Isle knitting with its symmetrical geometric motifs or Scandinavian knitting with its striking large asymmetrical motifs or even your own dramatic multi-color creative inventions, you know that these techniques can be both extremely rewarding but also pretty tricky. The challenges of organizing and controlling those multiple strands of yarn when doing creative color work can be rather daunting. Those challenges can be serious and will ultimately determine the difference between either a blissful creative experience or something much more nightmarish. When we start to use more than one color of yarn, and therefore two or more strands of yarn on the same project at the same time, there’s always potential for trouble. How we track multiple color strands while maintaining them in close proximity for quick access is the challenge. Keeping our colors organized and holding our yarn strands so that they don’t get twisted or tangled is the key to error and stress free stranded color work. Yarn management, that’s the challenge. And if that is so, Clover’s Yarn Guides are the ultimate solution.
What does it do? – The challenges of organizing and controlling multiple strands of yarn when doing creative color work are easily accomplished with Clover’s Yarn Guide.
· The Yarn Guide comes in two sizes, large and original, and are made of a soft, lightweight but durable plastic. Just pick the size that fits most comfortably on your index finger.
· To use, simply lift the hinged lid to reveal channels for four yarn strands. Place the active strands you intend to use in the channels that best suit your style and close the lid which snaps securely into place. The now slotted strands of yarn are held both apart and in close proximity to where the work is being done making color selection convenient and preventing twisting, tangling and any unwanted tension influence.
· The yarn guides are applicable to both English and Continental Knitting styles.
· A quick tip if you’re into crochet. If you’re working on a piece that requires extra yarn tension, simply open the lid, wrap the single strand of yarn around the Yarn Guide and close the lid. The more times the yarn is wrapped around the guide the more tension is naturally applied. Adjust as necessary to suit the tightness of your desired stitches. You get consistent tension without the fatigue of holding the yarn and applying it by hand. No muss, no fuss, you’re welcome.
How do I share it? – Stranded color work is an art form that everyone would like to add to their repertoire. Unfortunately, many are understandably intimidated and shy away from even the attempt. But if you’re a fan of stranded color work, or even if you just want to be, you’ll be a fan of Clover’s Yarn Guides. Classes or in-store demonstrations using the Clover Yarn Guide will convince everyone that any stranded color work intimidation is totally unfounded. Leave some yarn and Yarn Guides out for your friends to experience for themselves. They will thank you. Overall, Clover’s Large and Original Size Yarn Guides are the ultimate tools to make stranded color work an enjoyable and fulfilling creative knitting experience