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Single Skeins: Using Those One-of-a-Kind Treasures

We’ve all been there. You visit a fibre festival, you’re on vacation, or pop into your favourite local yarn shop, spot that stunning one-of-a-kind (OOAK) skein, and it’s love at first sight. Or maybe you snag a few random skeins from an indie dyer’s shop update. Next thing you know, your stash is brimming with unique skeins you just couldn’t leave behind. Now what? How do we make the most of these single skeins?

In this final post of the SweetGeorgia Spring Stash-Down series, we’re diving into our favourite stash-busting ideas to help you put those single skeins to good use. We’re drawing from the collective wisdom of the entire SweetGeorgia team and articles from our incredible instructors at the School of SweetGeorgia, sharing their best tips for making the most of every last metre of these precious OOAK and single-skein yarns. Be sure to check out our earlier posts, A Fresh Start in Stash Organization, Handmade with Love: The Impact of Charity Crafting, and Small Scraps, Big Ideas: Scrap-Busting Inspiration.

Wraps per Inch Hat by Rachel Smith
The Wraps Per Inch Hat is a great way to spotlight that special single skein!

Single Skein Considerations 

Before jumping into projects, let’s take a closer look at the skeins themselves. Consider the fibre content, yarn weight category, yarn construction, and colour. When you know what you have, it’s so much easier to put it to good use!

Fibre Content 

Most of the time, we find wool in our single-skein stash. Wool is wonderfully versatile, keeping us warm in cooler temperatures while regulating body heat and wicking away moisture. But what about other fibres, like cotton or linen? These cellulose fibres don’t hold warmth, but they shine in summer garments with their breathability and moisture-absorbing qualities, think lightweight shawls or lacy cover-ups.

Then there are the luxury fibres, the ones that feel so soft and decadent that you want to wrap yourself in them from head to toe. Whether it’s cashmere, alpaca, or a dreamy blend, these skeins deserve special attention on how and where they are used, maybe a cowl to nuzzle into.

Lavender colourway in CaskSilk Lace (L) and Flaxen Silk Fine (R)
Yarn comparison: On the left, SweetGeorgia CashSilk Lace, and to the right, SweetGeorgia Flaxen Silk Fine. Both are shown here in the Lavender colourway.

Here’s a list of articles to help you make the most of your yarn stash, no matter what you’re working with:

And let’s not forget fibre stashes! Often, we have braid fibres waiting for their moment to shine. Whether they are a single fibre or a blend, knowing the fibre can help us spin it in a way that makes the best use of its natural characteristics.

Corriedale left, trifecta right
Fibre comparison: On the left is SweetGeorgia Corriedale. On the right is SweetGeorgia Trifecta. Both are shown on the Farm to Table colourway

Yarn Weight Category

How can we use our stash if we don’t know what we have to work with? Start by looking at the yarn weight category. Fingering weight seems to be a popular choice, and for good reason. With around 400 yards per 100 grams, it’s versatile enough to use solo, doubled for worsted weight, or even tripled for a chunky weight. You can also blend different weights and fibres together to create something completely unique: like pairing lace weight mohair yarn + worsted weight wool yarn = an Aran weight yarn with subtle colour depth and amazing texture. Don’t limit yourself to thinking fingering has to only be fingering!

Here are some great articles on understanding the yarn weight categories, not just for knitting or crocheting but for weaving as well.

For spinners, it’s important to measure your yarn accurately so you don’t play yarn chicken at the end of a project. We’ve got some great resources on how to do that, too!

handspun being measured for WPI
Even if you are not a spinner, knowing how to measure wraps per inch can help you identify the thickness of mystery yarns. Shown here using the SweetGeorgia Spinning Gauge tool.

Construction

Think about how your yarn is constructed, whether it’s worsted or woollen, and how many plies it has. These details can affect how the yarn behaves in the fabric. Maybe you have a single-ply yarn that may not hold up as sock yarn but will be great for weft in a woven project while you keep that three- or four-ply yarn for a nice cabled knitted project. Worsted-spun yarns is great for definition while woollen-spun traps the most amount of warmth in. Think how you want this yarn to act in your project.

If you’re a spinner, keep your project in mind before you start spinning. Even if you just want a “snack spin” with a souvenir braid, a small amount of planning can go a long way in creating yarn that’s both beautiful and functional. Even if it’s just knowing ahead of time that you want to knit or weave with it, that little bit of foresight can make a difference.

4-ply Superwash Worsted 2-ply Merino Silk Lace
Yarn comparison: 4-ply yarn SweetGeorgia Superwash Worsted on the left, and 2-ply yarn SweetGeorgia Merino Silk Lace on the right.

Colour 

Now comes the fun part: colour! Maybe this skein or braid has one of our favourite colours, or maybe it is a clever colourway name. Next thing we know, we’re leaving without a plan, but who could resist? Whether it’s bold variegated skeins or subtle tones, combining colours can take your project to the next level. Creating bold stripes, alternating skeins every row, or holding two together can create beautiful marled effects.

Double-Stranded Knitting for Colour and Texture: this article includes a PDF to download all about marling yarns and the magic that they bring.

In weaving, using multiple strands while warping can make a complex, vibrant warp that’s truly one of a kind. If you’re not sure how to mix and match, don’t worry! We have plenty of articles on colour theory and combining yarns to help you make confident choices, including a link to our free course, open to everyone at the School of SweetGeorgia, Colour Play. There, Felicia will go through the colour principles with you to help you on your colour-pairing journey.

Square one scarf
The Square One Scarf makes the most of two single skeins, blending their colours into a unique and eye-catching woven fabric.

And, of course, this all applies to spinning as well. Those single braids offer endless possibilities, not only can we spin them on their own to change the colour, but we can also blend them with other fibres or braids to create anything we can imagine!

Here are colour articles to help you in all your multicraftual makes:

Colour play deck
A fun way to explore colour is with our Colour Play Deck, as shown in this colour wheel.

Stash-Busting Projects 

We’ve gathered our favourite stash-busting patterns from the whole SweetGeorgia team. Whether you’re looking to use up a single skein or clear out your whole stash, we’ve got ideas to inspire you.

Single Skein Patterns

Perfect for showcasing that one special skein. Think lightweight shawls, hats, or mitts, projects that let the yarn shine.

Hats, Mittens & Socks
Shawls & Scarves
Crochet Lace After Midnight shawl with lace weight SweetGeorgia Merino Silk Lace yarn
Lace After Midnight is a lovely way to showcase that special lace weight skein.

Two-Three Skein Patterns

Combine colours for a striking scarf, shawl, or small garment. Mixing fibre types for texture or holding yarns together adds depth and dimension.

Shawls & Scarves
Accessories & Small Garments
Five by Five Cowl
The Five by Five cowl is one of our favourite ways to use single skeins held together for a soft, lofty, and richly coloured knit.

Big Stash-Busting Patterns

Sometimes, you just need to go big! Blankets, sweaters, or large wraps are fantastic for using up every last bit of your beautiful stash.

Sweaters
Blankets
Tough love sock rainbow
No matter the pattern, we hope you find the perfect way to use those special yarns and share your projects with us in our community.

Join the Conversation & Community

No matter how your stash has grown, we hope these ideas help you find joy and creativity in your collection. Let’s make the most of every skein and fibre we have, turning them into projects we love and use. Please share what you are making from your stash by joining the conversation in the SweetGeorgia community and inspiring each other to make the most of what we have!

We Invite You to Connect with Us:

  • In the School of SweetGeorgia Forums. Our vibrant community is there to support you, with instructors and fellow members ready to answer questions and share guidance.
  • Join our SweetGeorgia Discord to chat about fibre arts, share projects, and explore further topics like sewing, 3D printing, and machine knitting.
  • Visit our SweetGeorgia Ravelry group, where we’ve been sharing yarn, fibre, patterns, and make-alongs since 2008.
  • Follow us on Instagram and our SweetGeorgia YouTube for inspiration, how-to videos, podcasts, and more!
  • Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest pattern releases, colourway announcements, and make-alongs; you never miss what’s going on!

However you choose to participate, we’re happy to have you in the SweetGeorgia community.

The post Single Skeins: Using Those One-of-a-Kind Treasures appeared first on SweetGeorgia Yarns.



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