As many hand spinners know, roving for hand spinning usually come in 4oz increments. But, what to do with 4 oz of yarn? And, seriously, if you were able to get more than 4oz, is using a whole garments worth of handmade yarn really the best way to highlight that yarn? Art yarn…such awesome texture can just get lost when it is knit up in a stockinette fabric.
Here are my top 5 techniques for working with handmade yarns (and by handmade, I mean hand spun and hand dyed)
1. Playing with textures. Combining yarns is one of my favorite ways to show off hand spun art yarn. Super textural yarns look awesome next to smoother yarn, play with contrasting colors. I give lots of tips about doing that in my stash buster shawl pattern. Check it out, it is a free download.
2. Feather and fan. A super simple stitch that is a great go to stitch for blending hand painted yarns. It is also great for stash busting. Jane Thornley wrote an awesome guide that break down how to use feather and fan to blend yarns. (that is her image above btw).
4. Elongated stitches. I love elongated stitches. It is super conservative with the yarn and shows of textures nicely. Here is how to do it.
3. Scribble lace. A super thin yarn mixed with a super textural yarn. You will need a double pointed needle for this one. Here is a free scarf pattern that outlines this technique.
5. Freeform crochet and knitting. As I have mentioned I have a new found love of free form crochet. Prudance Mapstone has some awesome tutorials that will get you started.
This is just the tip of the iceberg of what I know. Next week I will show you some tips for combining yarns.
Do you have a favorite technique for working with handmade yarns? Share in the comments below.
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Fiber artist Stacey Budge-Kamison AKA UrbanGypZ lives and works in Cary NC. She can also be found knitting in public, hammering out her latest e-course at local cafés and spinning yarns in her booth at her favorite arts festivals. A designer at heart, Stacey has decided that her mission is to help fellow knitters, crocheters, weavers and felters embrace their own style and creativity by exploring fiber art as it is a part of their everyday life and helping them embrace the title of artist no matter where they are in their journey. 
I use them in my tea cozies…and also crochet large jar covers.
Can’t find the link for the stash buster shawl pattern.
Here you go! http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stash-buster-shawl