Yarn prep, Annetarsia style

I’m getting requests for more information about how to actually create the Yarn Butterflies (YB’s) for “Bold Move”.

 

Bold Move is blocking!  I have broom and mop handles inserted up the sides to prevent creasing and spread the lace.  Elastic has not been inserted in the waistband yet.  Isn't it a pretty waist band, though? This skirt is going to be great.

Bold Move is blocking! I have broom and mop handles inserted up the sides to prevent creasing and spread the lace. Elastic has not been inserted in the waistband yet. Isn’t it a pretty waist band, though? This skirt is going to be great.

As it happens, I am preparing to make a second version of the project.  The MC is bright purple and the CC is Neon Green, so I am calling it “Bolder Move”.

So, I photographed the process of making the yarn supplies (Yarn butterflies, aka YB’s) for you.  If you want more information about how to find your Yarn Gauge, determine the lengths needed for each section, and more tips/tricks on managing them, look for the Annetarsia classes coming up!  First chance is Stitches Midwest, in August.   Yarn Gauge is also covered in my Craftsy class, “Next Steps in Intarsia”.

Find the two ends of the strand, and put them together in one hand.  Then pull along the joined strands with the other hand, until you reach the middle.  Tie a slip knot to mark the spot.  Then, wind one end into a yarn butterfly, and then the other.  You will have 2 yarn butterflies joined by the slip knot.  To knit, undo the slip knot and knit from the center of the strand.

Find the two ends of the strand, and put them together in one hand. Then pull along the joined strands with the other hand, until you reach the middle. Tie a slip knot to mark the spot. Then, wind one end into a yarn butterfly, and then the other. You will have 2 yarn butterflies joined by the slip knot. To knit, undo the slip knot and knit from the center of the strand.

Line up the YB's according to their length, so that you don't get them mixed up.  You can tell the really large ones from the small ones.  But the middle lengths look a lot alike.  These are arranged in two rows, from shortest on the top left, to longest on the bottom right.  There are 2 sets of each length, and both are wound from the middle of the strand.

Line up the YB’s according to their length, so that you don’t get them mixed up. You can tell the really large ones from the small ones. But the middle lengths look a lot alike. These are arranged in two rows, from shortest on the top left, to longest on the bottom right. There are 2 sets of each length, and both are wound from the middle of the strand.

It is a really good idea to package the YB's separately, and label them, so that they are added to the project in the correct order.  These are zip-lock sandwich bags, labeled with numbers from 1 (shortest) to 8 (longest). They can be stored for later, jumbled, moved around - no worries.  Plus, I have cats, and I don't want one of these to disappear.  So, even if I am going to cast on right away, I put my YB's in baggies.

It is a really good idea to package the YB’s separately, and label them, so that they are added to the project in the correct order. These are zip-lock sandwich bags, labeled with numbers from 1 (shortest) to 8 (longest). They can be stored for later, jumbled, moved around – no worries. Plus, I have cats, and I don’t want one of these to disappear. So, even if I am going to cast on right away, I put my YB’s in baggies.

 

1 Comments

  1. Cheryl Scallon

    Great blog today, Anne, filled with really good suggestions.

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