Frequently Asked Questions of Heritage Yarns

Will my yarn "bleed?"  What does it mean? I am a new weaver/knitter and have never wound a skein into a ball.  Where do I start? How can I prevent a slippery yarn from sliding off the swift?  Will you dye my yarns (or fiber)? I've found a broken link; What should I do? How do I deal with the slippery nature of slippery yarns?  They want to slide off the ball. Do you sell samples? How much yarn does it require for an article?

Q:  Will my yarn "bleed?"  What does it mean?

A:  There have been many questions and comments lately on lists that I am a member of regarding bleeding of yarns, dye coming off on your hands, "crocking," etc. 

Cellulose fibers (cottons, rayons, etc.) are dyed with fiber-reactive dye which is not an exhaust dye like acids for protein fibers, i.e., there is a lot of washout.  It is more likely with intense blues or reds. However, this is not a bad sign.  Fiber-reactive dye is the most colorfast, lightfast on the market.  The more intense the color, the more bleeding you will have.  It does not in any way affect the color as it is called fugitive or excess dye.  If anything, the colors become more clear and prettier.  

Wash your item separately in the washing machine depending on the construction of the garment, etc., just like you would any dark, commercially-dyed fabric.  Of course, if you have used untwisted fringe, hand wash or dry clean only.  If you will be blocking a knitted item, hand wash until clear prior to blocking using either Synthrapol or a dye catcher sold at most large discount and grocery stores.

Q:  I am a new weaver/knitter and have never wound a skein into a ball.  Where do I start?

A:  Remove and save the label for sett suggestions or gauge.  Carefully cut the tie that is holding the twist at one end of the skein.  (It is usually white cotton.)  Ideally, you will own an umbrella swift and ball winder and these instructions are assuming you do. 

Insure that the skein is not twisted, then place the skein on the swift bringing the swift up to meet the circumference of the skein.  Locate the white cotton courtesy tie that is on all Heritage yarns.  This is the beginning of the skein.  Cut this loop (last) and the remaining tie-bands off the skein.  Caution:  This step should not be done prior to placing the skein on the swift. 

Wind off a couple of rounds to see if the yarn is going to feed evenly and insert the end into the ball winder and wind into a center pull ball.  If the yarn seems like it is tangled, it is probably just a kink in that spot.  Resist the temptation of weaving in and out as it misaligns the yarn.  Usually, if you will give the yarn a little pop close to the skein, it will loosen the kink and you can proceed to wind into a center-pull ball.

Heritage yarns are painted in a non-directional fashion, around the skein rather than across the skein.  This allows for more colors as well as varying lengths of color.  If you have purchased more than one skein, wind the skeins into balls in the same color order to prevent color striking or reversal of color.

Q:  How can I prevent a slippery yarn from sliding off the swift?

A:   It is best if the swift is turned on its side while winding rather than upright. 

Q:  Will you dye my yarns (or fiber)? 

A:  I no longer dye yarns and fiber belonging to others.  If you are interested in a particular yarn or fiber, discuss it with me and I will try to locate it for you.

Q:  I've found a broken link; what should I do?

A:  Please contact me and let me know which link and on what page.  Thanks so much.

Q:  How do I deal with slippery yarns?  They want to slide off the ball. 

A:  The easiest way that I have found is to slip the center-pull ball into a "footie" stocking and wind from the outside of the ball.  This puts just enough tension on the ball to prevent it from falling apart.   

Q:  Do you sell samples?  

A:  I no longer sell samples because of lack of time in preparing them; they are very labor intensive.  

Q:  How much yarn is required for an article?

A:  One of the most frequently asked questions has been how much yarn it takes to weave a scarf, 2 scarves, a shawl or a throw.  Considering using like yarn for both warp and weft, amounts have been given for these articles in the Heritage hand painted yarns.  In order to make the hand painted go further, a consideration is to add commercial yarns to the mix such as perle cotton, 8/2 tencel or Jaggerspun Zephyr silk/merino shown at Mill Dyed Yarns.  

I will be adding gauges when possible and hopefully, general amounts for knitted sweaters, scarves and shawls.  If in question, look at the wraps per inch (WPI) and yardage on a skein.  Consider the pattern/article and the yardage given at Knitting Patterns.