Variegated yarn

Yarn dyed with more than one colour

Variegated yarn is yarn dyed with more than one colour.^[1]^[2]

Objective

It can produce effects that vary depending on the technique of the crafter, the pattern used, and the frequency of colour change. These effects include "flashing" (lightning-bolt effects) and "pooling" (patchy or marbleized effects). Some yarns (known as "self-striping yarns") are designed to produce stripes when used to knit small items such as socks or mittens.

Methods

In solid dyeing, yarns dyed in one single color, Variegated yarns have more than one color. ^[2]There are various methods of applying two or more colors, and the most common practice is spray or space dyeing.

Space dyeing

Space dyeing is a technique of localized color application that produces a unique multicolored effect.^[3]^[4]

Use

Variegated yarns may be used also in knitting, crocheting, and other textile arts. These variegated colored yarns help in making small fancy items such as braids, etc.^[5]^[6]

Gallery

Yarn hanks in the process of dyeing
Space dyed yarn
This lace stole is being knitted from variegated laceweight wool

References

^ Blakelee, George E. (1889). Blakelee's Industrial Cyclopedia: A Simple Practical Guide ... A Ready Reference and Reservoir of Useful Information. More Than Two Hundred Illustrations. Baker & Taylor Company. p. 601.
^ ^a ^b Forum: a journal for the teacher of English outside the United States. United States Information Agency. 1982. p. 42.
^ Choudhury, A. K. Roy (2006-01-09). Textile Preparation and Dyeing. Science Publishers. ISBN 978-1-57808-404-3.
^ Mahapatra, N. N. (2019-01-31). Textile Dyeing. Woodhead Publishing India PVT. Limited. p. 60. ISBN 978-93-85059-91-9.
^ Miser, Lorna (2010). The Knitter's Guide to Hand-Dyed & Variegated Yarn: Techniques and Projects for Handpainted and Multicolored Yarn. Watson-Guptill Publications. ISBN 978-0-8230-8552-1.
^ Spon, Edward; Spon, Francis N. (1882). Spons' Encyclopædia of the Industrial Arts, Manufactures, and Commercial Products ... E. & F.N. Spon. p. 1762.