The importance of Alternating Skeins

Hand-dyeing yarn is a beautiful fusion of art and science. It’s what gives hand-dyed yarns their irresistible charm. Luminous colourways, unpredictable variegation, and a character all their own. But as any seasoned knitter knows, this uniqueness comes with a catch: no two skeins are ever exactly alike.

Even skeins from the same colourway or dye lot can vary subtly (or dramatically) in shade, tone, or saturation. This is part of the magic of hand-dyed yarn, but it also means that you can end up with noticeable colour shifts in your project if you’re not careful.

Why Does This Happen?

Unlike mass-produced yarns, hand-dyed yarns are dyed in small batches, and even the most consistent dyeing techniques can’t eliminate natural variations.
Things like temperature, water chemistry, yarn base, and even the weather can subtly influence the final result. As a result, skeins dyed together might still have slightly different hues or speckle patterns.

That’s why alternating skeins is essential when working with hand-dyed yarn. It helps blend the differences, so your finished piece looks cohesive and professional, without harsh lines or colour blocks.

What Does "Alternating Skeins" Mean?

Alternating skeins simply means switching between two skeins every few rows or rounds as you knit. This technique blends the colours together more evenly and prevents “pooling”: the unintentional and often distracting patches of concentrated colour that can happen with variegated yarns.

Tips for Alternating Skeins

Here are some helpful suggestions from yarn experts and designers:

Work with two skeins at a time. Knit two rows with skein A, then two rows with skein B. If you’re knitting in the round, switch skeins every round or use a technique like the “helix method” to avoid a noticeable jog at the beginning of each round (Purl Soho explains this well).
Use a consistent method. Whether you’re using a carry-along method at the edge, twisting the yarns, or simply dropping and picking up the alternate skein, consistency is key.
Start alternating early. Don’t wait until halfway through your project, begin alternating skeins as soon as you join a new ball, or even from the start if you notice colour differences.
Blend between skeins. When transitioning to a new skein (even if you’re not alternating all the way through), blend it in gradually over several rows.
Expect and embrace the uniqueness. Even with alternating, you’ll still get the nuanced look that makes hand-dyed yarns so special — just without any harsh lines or jarring shifts.

Helpful Resources

For more detailed techniques and examples, check out these fantastic resources:

Final Thoughts

When you spend time and money on beautiful hand-dyed yarn, you want your finished project to reflect that beauty. Alternating skeins may feel like an extra step, but it's a simple technique that makes a huge difference. Your work will look more polished, your colors more harmonious, and the unique character of the yarn will shine without distraction.

Embrace the unpredictability... and alternate those skeins!