I’ve found a way to use up more yarn from my stash – using two strands at a time. I’ve mentioned before that I like using worsted weight yarn. What I hadn’t considered was using two DK or sock weight yarns to make something. I’ve used two or three strands or worsted weight yarn together. Even using a larger hook I got tired of it, my hand would cramp and the project would be too stiff or too loose when I used a larger hook.
This doesn’t happen when two lightweight strands are combined. I hadn’t thought about using DK or sock weight together – mainly because I don’t have a lot of those in my stash. I’ve used sock weight and worsted together for give a little hint of color in a wrap but why not for a project on its own? As I continue on my stash busting quest, I’ve found some lighter weight yarns that I won, was gifted or purchased [because I liked it and had little intention of using it]. Now those yarns have taken center stage since I want to use most of what I have before adding more.
Why hadn’t I done this before? It was easy to go to buy another skein or two of yarn to try or buy a color that caught my eye. Since January, the only yarn that I have bought was for a gift and the novelty of a Caron Anniversary Cake because it’s so gigantic. I’m purging as I go as well, there are yarns that I thought I’d like and don’t or that I find too difficult to crochet. Someone else may like it. I’ve happened upon some fun yarns at thrift stores, likely because people just didn’t like them. When it’s time to buy more yarn, I will consider purchasing some DK weight yarns to combine and make more colorful scarves.
I’ve always known that you could combine two strands or yarn. Combining two strands of worsted is like working with a bulky and that’s cumbersome after a while. A quick search on the internet will tell you that combining two lighter weight yarns will make an equivalent heavier one, though it may depend on the yarn manufacturer and your gauge.
Two strands of lace weight together equal a DK or Sport weight
Two strands of fingering or baby weight equal a DK / light worsted weight
Two strands of DK equal a worsted weight or Aran
Two strands of worsted equal a chunky/bulky
There is still the issue of dropping stitches by not pulling both loops through the hook. With two worsted weight yarns this seems to be a greater issue but not as much with the finer yarns. The thought of using such fine yarn on its own never appealed to me, just as I don’t like using super bulky. Two lighter yarns together, now I’m onto something. When I’m adding more yarn to my stash in a few months, I will consider acquiring some sock and sport weight yarns to the fold not just to look at but to actually use and add more color to my work.
Why stop with combining two of the same weight to equal a heavier weight? Why not use a lace weight with a solid worsted to add color? With yarns ranging from cobweb to jumbo, the only limitations will be SABLE (Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy) getting in the way and the limit of your funds.
Happy crocheting!
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