Handpainted yarns are seductive, lying there on the shelf, still in their skeins, showing off all their luscious colours so nonchalantly intertwined.

Yet how easy it is to become disappointed when actually using them. Pooling of colours, unattractive striping, even flashing of these same stripes can cause us to throw aside our projects in frustration.

But there are ways to overcome these challenges and to celebrate the uniqueness of handpainted yarns.

I love them, both the yarns themselves and the challenges they present. When I design with them, I take into consideration these very problems. Choice of stitch pattern, especially those that move the lines of fabric in differing directions, is critical.

There are some general rules to follow whenever using handpainted or variegated yarns.

• Work with two, or even three, balls at the same time, and intersperse the number of rows being knit by each. To break up the colour sequence even more, work from the inside of the ball from one and the outside of the ball from the other.

• If using only one skein for a project, I suggest that you wind it into two separate balls. Then work alternately from two balls, knitting two or more rows from one ball and then switching to the other. Doing this randomly, rather than in a set pattern, helps to break up the colours even more. Carry the yarn not in use loosely up the side by catching it with the yarn in use as you knit the first stitch.

• If you have only one ball, take one end from the inside of the ball and another end from the outside and use these randomly, as just described.
  
  

• Avoid stockinette stitch altogether, except for small areas. The flat, unchanging surface of stockinette is death to handpainteds and brings out the worst in them. Garter Stitch, however, is another story. Even throwing in a few rows of Garter Stitch will make all the difference.

There may be times, though, when you will want to emphasize those very characteristics that we have been trying to avoid. When you want flashing and striping—as you can see in traditional Norwegian flame yarn (flammegarn) stockings—as described in Nancy Bush’s book, Folk Socks: The History & Techniques of Handknitted Footwear (Interweave Press, 1994)--then just let the yarn follow its own will.

Remember that every skein of handpainted yarn will be unique. So every item you make from one will also be unique. Let’s celebrate their individuality!