Part of the beauty of hand-dyed yarn is every skein is a little different -it's where the magic happens! Even skeins dyed together may have subtle changes in colour, tone or speckling. These variations give your finished project depth and nuance.
However, knitting with one skein until it runs out and then beginning another can leave a noticeable line, or tide mark, where the colour changes. Below we have taken two different colourways we dyed separately, so the difference will be very clear. Sometimes the differences are so subtle it's only possible to see them when you finish one skein and begin another. . . 
Instead, alternating between skeins as you work allows the shades to mingle and creates a softer blended look. It's so easy to do, and does not at time to a project, so we recommend alternating throughout projects. At the very least, (looking at you, Type B knitters), begin alternating before your first skein runs out so the next one blends gently into your work.
These are the same two yarns as above, blended through alternating skeins. And if you love their look we recommend checking out Eco Sock in the colourway Sweet Sweet Manuka
How, you ask?
We’ve got you.
Before you begin, each skein needs to be wound into a cake* or ball. A twisted skein may look beautiful, but trying to knit directly from one is a shortcut to a special kind of punishment.
Alternating skeins means working from cakes wound from two different skeins.
How do you alternate skeins?
You work from two cakes at the same time.
Knitting flat: Work two rows with the first cake, then two rows with the second. Continue swapping every two rows, carrying the unused yarn up the edge of your work. There is no need to cut it each time.
Knitting in the round: Change cakes at the beginning of every round. When you return to the beginning of round** marker, pop the yarn you have just used between the needles to the front of your work. Take the waiting yarn between the needles to the back, ready to knit the next round.
Bringing the resting strand forward keeps the two yarns from twisting around each other and helps prevent a ladder or ridge from forming inside your knitting. Keep both strands relaxed as you change over. Again, there is no need to cut the yarn each time.
Prosper tips:
When starting a top down sweater, we knit the back of the neck (yoke) without alternating, and then begin alternating skeins once we complete the yoke instructions. This gives one skein a head start, so you're never starting both new skeins at the exact same rows.
If you're holding yarns double (we love Mint and Prosper DK together) we recommend using two sets as the yarns come together as one when knitted. Four balls sounds like a lot, but give it a go, it's very manageable.
We dye our yarn in small, project-sized batches and do not use dye lots, so we highly recommend buying enough yarn to complete your project.
If you have an untouched skein left over, you are welcome to exchange it, provided it is still in its original condition. Read more about our No Yarn Chicken exchange policy.
Knitting lingo:
*Cake: The flat-bottomed bundle of yarn created by a mechanical ball winder. Not the edible treat made by Bluebells Cakery, but just as tempting.
**Beginning of round: Often abbreviated to BOR. If your pattern uses several stitch markers, choose a distinctive one for the BOR so you can easily tell it apart from the rest.
