Seeing Double #1 – A new series on knitting with two ends of yarn

It's a New Year and time for new projects!

So I thought I would write a series of Knitting Notes about using doubled yarns. I love working with two ends of yarn at the same time and often get queries from people about this technique and why I love it so much.

I'll be looking at how to use doubled yarns to bring extra warmth into a garment, as in the winter weight version of the Lamberhurst Scarf shown above. A lot of this comes down to the structure of wool, so I will be exploring that and then showing how using two ends of wool can often produce a warmer results than a single, thicker yarn. 

I will also look at other pattern examples and explore how you can expand your yarn choices and options by combining yarns with different fibres.

Then I'll be describing how you can also use this technique for colour and design, as in the Ocean Currents Rug shown above. This uses two strands of yarn held together in ever-changing colour combinations to produce an almost three-dimensional patterning which could not be achieved with a single strand.

I will also be looking at making mix-and-match collections by working some items with a single yarn and others with two strands held together. In the photo above, for example, the sweater and hat use two soft strands of wool held together for a super-warm result, then the gloves and leg-warmers team beautifully as they use the same yarn but with only a single strand.

Then lastly, I'll be describing some of the tips and techniques for working with two or more ends of yarn held together.  So I'll be back next time with a look at the Lamberhurst Scarf, and will look at how working with two ends of a sportweight yarn has produced a wonderfully soft, warm winter scarf.

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