While I was in Belfast, Prince Edward Island, I purchased some locally sourced hand-dyed worsted wool. I selected three different colourways—Stones, Gale and Forget-Me-Nots–aptly named for their Maritime roots. I wanted to experiment with these variegated wools to determine which crochet stitches and which hat patterns would show them off best.
Variegated yarns are created by dyeing yarn with different hues or colour. How the yarn is dyed affects the finished knitted or crocheted piece. Some multi-coloured yarns give the effect of self-striping. This results when yarn is dyed with long repeating sequences of different colours. In contrast, shorter colour repeats can result in a finished product with pops of colour that pool or sit next to each other. A hand-dyed yarn with random splashes of colour give a more haphazard appearance, with neither striping or pooling of colour.
Variegated yarns work up nicely with simple crochet stitches and with small textured stitches. Single or half double crochet stitches, moss stitch, seed stitch, and bobbles are subtle and let the colours of the yarn take centre stage. In the same way, choosing a simple hat pattern, such as a beanie or slouch hat, allows the colourway to shine. Seeing colours develop and change as I crochet is fun and keeps me engaged in my projects with variegated yarns.
We hope to see you at the Dunbar Holiday Market & Craft Fair on Saturday, November 25th, 2023. More information coming soon.
Hats by Tracy J 