For many knitters, dipping their toe into colorwork – be it Fair Isle, Stranded, or Intarsia – inspires more anxiety than excitement. Recently, Doodlebug Yarns has added a new line of yarns that is perfect for colorwork: The Wool Dispensary is hand-dyed in vibrant colors and available in three blends of fingering-weight yarn. Whether you choose Deadly Stimulant (BFL/Silk), Useful Poison (Merino/Cashmere/Nylon), Useful Stimulant (BFL/Nylon), or mix and match, your colorwork projects will stand out with these unique new yarns.
I’m preparing to cast on for colorwork socks using Carol Young’s TOXIC pattern….just as soon as I decide which colors of Useful Poison to use! I’ve narrowed it down to Tightrope for the contrast color, and now I just need to decide between Lizard Boy or Fire Breather for the main color. Decisions, decisions!
Are you ready to get started, too? There are tons of YouTube videos on the subject, but the best advice I’ve gotten on the subject is to keep your stitches looser than you typically would and, if necessary, go up a needle size to ensure that you’re fabric won’t be puckered or inflexible.
Need some inspiration? Click here to view the Fair Isle February pinterest board (co-curated by Sam Boice of The Wool Dispensary). We’re also discussing our favorite colorwork projects over in the Doodlebug Yarns Ravelry Group. If you need help picking out your colors or pattern, we’ll get you pointed in the right direction!
