Above: Mixed yarns painted in compatible Avalon & Honeysuckle colorways,
for a delicious "Shabby Chic" throw.
TIPS FOR WORKING WITH HANDPAINTED FIBERS
Handpainted fibers are characterized by subtle variations from skein to skein, which is the organic quality that sets them apart from uniform (boring!) mass-produced machine painted fibers. If you prefer, or if you need to blend different dyelots, you can work alternating rows back & forth between skeins to distribute variations.
Because dyelots vary, both with handpainted AND mass-market fibers, always try to purchase sufficient quantity to complete your project.
CARE OF KATSARA HANDPAINTED FIBERS
Gently handwash or dry-clean. If you wash, treat your item similar to a treasured lingerie item: Use cool water & a small amount of mild soap, swirl gently in the basin, gently blot on towels to remove excess moisture, reshape & lay flat to dry.
DIFFERENT FIBERS REACT DIFFERENTLY WITH COLOR....
due to inherent differences in "color affinity" of different fibers.
With our techniques, hues (basic colors) will remain consistent across various fibers while values (depth) may vary from yarn to yarn within a single colorway.
- The most saturated (dark & vibrant) colors occur on superwash wools & mercerized cottons (such as perle cotton)
- Colors go more soft/pastel on premium fibers such as spun silk, alpaca & mohair as well as nylon found in some of our ribbons & eyelashes.
- Protein fibers (wools, silks) and cellulose fibers (cottons, rayons) take some colors differently, generally with regard to saturation (depth) but sometimes even the hue will differ subtly between fibers. Despite these subtle variations, our colorways remain compatible across the full range of fibers if you mix an order.
- Colors flow differently on different fibers. On wools (except superwash) colors flow very freely, imparting a "watercolor" effect in the transitions, while color overlaps may be more distinct & contained with other yarns. We plan our overlaps to achieve pleasing & consistent blends & transitions between colors, revising our technique according to the fiber. However, keep in mind subtle variations of color transitions are to be expected.
- Some of the most glorious effects result in mixing fibers & textures painted in the same colorway or even different but harmonious colorways.
- Here is an example of a mixed-fiber custom lot of colorway Monterey, with a skein of mohair in the center top painted in just the brown tones:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How long does it take to receive my order?
A: Unless we notify you of any brief delay, you should expect to receive your purchases approximately two weeks after your transaction is paid. It takes us a few days to paint your yarns, and a few more days for transit to your doorstep. Transit time can vary a bit since, as we all know, the USPS can be a mystery. (If something is out of stock when you place your order, we'll let you know that it'll take a few extra days.)
Q: Why does my skein look different than the blended colorway in the picture?
A: Sometimes we photograph a colorway "as painted" on the skein, and sometimes we photograph the skein after it has been rolled which blends the colors. Here is an example of an "as painted" skein (left) versus the blended coloration of the rolled skeins (right:)
Q: Will I get unsightly color "blocks" when knitting with handpainted yarns?
A: Not with Katsara handpainted yarns, though this can happen with less-skillfully painted yarns.
Q: Can I order solid colors to go with painted colorways?
Yes, we offer shaded solids & you may request these by selecting "other" as the colorway option, and make a note in your order when you check-out as to what solid color you'd like. "Shaded Solid" is the term for hand-dipped single color skeins, and the color comes out subtly variegated, rather than the flat solids you'll find in typical retail yarns.
Q: Is chenille difficult to knit with?
A: Chenille knits easily & evenly on bamboo needles, but can be a bit of a struggle on metal or plastic needles. We recommend knitting to a more dense gauge than you might first think when you see our yarn, since with chenille you are knitting to the core rather than the outside edge of the yarn.
Q: Are handpainted yarns machine washable?
A: As long as the fiber itself is machine washable, you can use low/delicate setting & cold water, and place the item in a lingerie bag for extra protection. Some items can be tumble dried, while others are best laid flat to dry. Our best advice is to use common sense and keep in mind machine washing & drying may result in some shrinkage of many fibers, or felting of non-superwash wools. (Sometimes, shrinkage is what you're after, so again, it all depends on what your objective is!)
Q: Can I mix dyelots in my project?
A: Some knitters like to purposely mix different lots or even colorways to achieve special effects, while in other cases you may need to blend two lots without losing continuity. In the latter case, we recommend alternating rows back & forth between two skeins, one from each lot, to ensure even distribution of the lot variations & a consistent looking piece.
Above: Coleus (left) + Chorus (right) makes a gorgeous 2-colorway combination,
illustrating two colorways mixed with a specific purpose in mind for a special cardigan.
Q: Can I get more yarn if I run out before my project is finished?
A: Yes you can, but please read the previous tip about mixing dyelots.
Q: Can I find Katsara yarns in yarn stores?
A: We do sell to a few specialty knitting shops who private label our handpainted yarns. However, we are primarily a direct purveyor of our product line.
Q: Do you ship internationally?
A: Yes, and the shipping costs are typically 50% higher than domestic shipping. Please inquire if you need a shipping estimate.
Q: Do you accept returns?
A: We do within 7 days after you receive an item and notify us that you are returning it, as long as the item is in brand new (unaltered) condition. We do not refund shipping costs, but will gladly refund the purchase price of any item you are dissatisfied with.
Q: Can you suggest colorways to flatter my coloring?
A: Based on the seasonal colors developed by Carole Jackson, here are some suggestions based on the four main seasons. Keep in mind seasonal palettes do overlap & we don't believe in strict rules around here!
- AUTUMN: Acapulco, Amazon, Andante, Cantata, Chorus, Coleus, CountryHearth, English Lavender, Hosta, MeadowHaze, Maple, Mojave, Mozambique, Reds, Safari, Serenade, Sonata, Tango
- WINTER: Begonias, Bistro, Clara, Fuschias, Grape, Grove, Juniper, Manzanillo, Pansy, Petunias, Shadow, Sojourn, WaterGarden, Shadow
- SPRING: Aster, Azaleas, BossaNova, Cabbage, Cactus, Daylily, Fog, Galaxy, Iris, Jamboree, Lilypond, Marjoram, Pomegranite, Roses, Spring Green, Zuma
- SUMMER: Antibes, April Breeze, Bebop, Citrus, Chimes, Jellybeans, Joie d'Vivre, Mistral, Pinks, Riviera, Sachet, Sangria, Shalimar, Sugar, Summerstorm, Trevi, Yukon
Q: What standards does Katsara Yarns use for determing gauge?
A: The chart below gives a general outline of how we determine gauge of our yarns:
NOTE: WPI = Wraps Per Inch
YPP = Yards Per Pound
CROCHET HOOK U.S. SIZE RANGE IS IN SMALL FONT IN THE NEEDLE-SIZE COLUMN
| Yarn | Gauge Sts/inch | WPI* | YPP** | Needle Size (estimated) |
| Ultrafine (Lace or Baby Wt.) |
8+ | 18+ | 2600+ | 00-2 US (1.75-3mm) Hook B/1 or less |
| Fine (Fingering Weight) |
6-8 | 16 | 1900-2400 | 2-4 US (3-3.5mm) Hook B/1 - E/4 |
| Light (Sport Wt.) | 5.5-6 | 14 | 1200-1800 | 4-6 US (3.5-4mm) Hook E/4 - 7 |
| Medium (DK weight) | 5.5 | 13 | 1100-1400 | 5-7 US (3.75-4.5mm) Hook 7 - I/9 |
| Heavy (Worsted Weights) |
4-5 | 12 | 900-1200 | 7-9 US (4.5-5.5mm) Hook I/9 - K/10 |
| Bulky | 3-4 | 10 | 600-800 | 10-11 US (5.75-8mm) Hook K/10 - M/13 |
| Very Bulky | 2-3 | 8 - | 400 or less | 13-15 US (9-10mm) Hook M/13 up |