[Gloria J]

What is the easiest way to know when you are halfway through a skein of yarn? I'm making a baby blanket from leftover yarn in my stash. 3 different colors; 2 skeins each of 2 colors and 1 skein of the 3rd color. The pattern is the simple 'dishcloth' pattern where you start with 5 stitches; increase to a certain width then decrease.

The skein I only have 1 color of, I want to use 1/2 to finish the increase portion, then start to decrease using the other 1/2.

Sorry if this is confusing. Basically need to know when to tell when I'm halfway through my skein. Thank you all in advance for your help!

 

[Sine]

Do you have a digital kitchen scale? I have two, and I use mine all the time to weigh yarn. You can just knit until the yarn weighs half of what you started with.

 

[jumbleburt]

If you have a kitchen scale, you can weigh it before you start and then weigh every once in a while until you have half the weight left.

 

[Suesknits]

If you have a kitchen scale, you can weigh it before you start and then weigh every once in a while until you have half the weight left.

Good idea!

 

[Yarn Happy]

Not sure what I would do without my scale, I use it so often. Mine you can change to grams or ounces, grams seem to work best with yarn.

 

[nittineedles]

If you want to be more precise than a scale, wind the yarn into a centre pull ball. Grab both ends and start pulling. When you run out of yarn you will have exactly 2 strands the same length. Cut the fold and wind up your two, equal balls of yarn. This can be difficult if you have cats.

I've tried it with a scale and was very surprised to see just how much yarn there is in 1 gram.

 

[dragonfly7673]

If you want to be more precise than a scale, wind the yarn into a centre pull ball. Grab both ends and start pulling. When you run out of yarn you will have exactly 2 strands the same length. Cut the fold and wind up your two, equal balls of yarn. This can be difficult if you have cats.

This made me laugh out loud. I can guarantee my cats would be fascinated and "helping"! I have enough trouble getting them to keep their heads and paws out of the yarn swift while it's spinning

 

[nittineedles]

Mine's getting a bit long in the tooth but she's always up for a game of "Grab that Yarn". :roll:

 

[Gloria J]

If you want to be more precise than a scale, wind the yarn into a centre pull ball. Grab both ends and start pulling. When you run out of yarn you will have exactly 2 strands the same length. Cut the fold and wind up your two, equal balls of yarn. This can be difficult if you have cats.

I've tried it with a scale and was very surprised to see just how much yarn there is in 1 gram.

What is a "centre pull ball"? I'm sorry but I don't know what you mean.

I do have a kitchen scale and thank you all for your help!!

 

[nittineedles]

A centre pull ball is a ball that you can pull the other end out of. If you have a ball winder you can wind the yarn into a centre pull skein or you can use a wooden dowel to wind it by hand.
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Wind-a-Center-Pull-Ball-of-Yarn-by-Hand/

 

[docdot]

If you do not have a kitchen scale. . . I did this while traveling. . . go to the produce section of a grocery and ask permission to use the hanging scale! (I placed plastic produce bag on scale to keep yarn clean.)

 

[Casey47]

I wasn't sure if I'd have enough yarn to finish a blanket so I weighed the yarn I was using, knitted a border row and weighed it again. No more worries and I knew I wouldn't have to add new yarn to the last row. Sure was nice not worrying about it.

 

[seamer45]

I agree with the kitchen scale method, just be sure to weigh in grams and weigh before you start. I've found that not all skeins are created equal. And if you don't have a scale, get one. I use mine 3 or 4 times a week for all sorts of stuff.

 

[cathbeasle]

Thanks for the scale tip.

 

[azmoonbugs]

Mine's getting a bit long in the tooth but she's always up for a game of "Grab that Yarn". :roll:

We call it "flossing" when the cat gets into the yarn and I have to knit a wet spot.

 

[Ladyj960]

Like others kitchen scales! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[colon4me]

I usually don't say much, but this ideas just blew my mind. The ladies here on KP are genius.

 

[Carol J.]

I look at the end of the skein, count the rows, when I reach half of them, I pull out the center rows in one piece and have two skeins of yarn. If I can't count rows, I estimate where the center is and pull, cut the yarn and that way I can use the yarn as two skeins.

Carol J.

 

[silversurfer]

Work 2 pieces at once to the half way point in the blanket and graft the 2 halves together.

 

[debbieb]

If you do not have a kitchen scale. . . I did this while traveling. . . go to the produce section of a grocery and ask permission to use the hanging scale! (I placed plastic produce bag on scale to keep yarn clean.)

You are just too cute! I can see you weighing your yarn in the produce department and the looks that you must get. My hat is off to you for being so inventive. You are one determined knitter!