As you know, I’ve developed a bit of a yarn buying issue in 2020. All of that yarn has been purchased on line. I normally support my LYS, but that is hard to do when you are staying home whenever possible.
When it comes to buying sock yarn from indie dyers I trust the dyer to post an accurate photo of the yarn. If it is a little off I don’t mind, as it can be hard to photograph some colors.
When it comes to sweater yarn, I rely on color cards. I started using color cards when I fell in love with using American wool. For about $10 many mills will send you a card with samples of all of the colors they produce. You can see the colors, you can see how they play with each other, you can feel the yarn and decide if it is something you would like to work with.
I currently have color cards from Harrisville Designs, Bartlett Yarns, and Beaverslide Dry Goods. I expect to add a color card from Peace Fleece early next year. I love knitting with wool from small mills, and being able to see and feel the yarn before I commit to a sweaters amount of yarn is important to me.
Do you have any color cards? Do you use them when searching for yarn on line?
mildlygranola 
Those are a great investment in not buying colors or yarn you don’t like:) I’m looking forward to seeing what yarn you buy next.
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Darn you! Now I want to order those color cards! How awesome with those samples! How easy to plan your next project and order!
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Thanks for explaining! The feel of yarn is the most important thing to me. I’m going to have to see if anywhere in Canada offers these
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I’d forgotten about color cards. I had ordered one in the early days of my knitting career. But it was only useful for a while, then some colors got discontinued. Those cards looks very nice.
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They are great. I haven’t had any trouble with colors being discontinued yet, but when they are I’ll probably buy new cards.
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I didn’t even know they existed, but I do now. Genius.
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They are very handy!
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I have thought about it, but not purchased any, just opted to return and reorder if necessary. So far, so good, but i would love some of those, very helpful!
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They are great for looking at when you want to buy yarn but you aren’t really going to buy yarn. It is fun for idea planning.
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I would get hours of enjoyment just petting them!
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Me too.
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I do have color cards from Knit Picks and one from Harrisville from when Nightshades came out. You are right – they are amazingly helpful! There’s no substitute for seeing and feeling a little sample of the real thing 🙂
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I need to get a nightshades color card.
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Well worth having with your other ones! Did you see now they came out with a line of white yarn with just a dusting of color spun in them? They are calling them Daylights 🙂 Same gauge, so they will work together for colorwork or whatever!
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I was really excited when I heard about Daylights, but then I looked at them and realized they were not for me. I just don’t love the colors.
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I might use them in colorwork with Nightshades, but wouldn’t make a whole sweater out of them.
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Nope, no color cards here. In SF, I used to live closer to a LYS. Since we moved, the closest one is at least 14 mi away. A good deterent for me but yeah, I buy online and tend to buy from my favorites: Barrett Wool Co (Susan B. Anderson’s company), Seismic Yarn (dyed by Eva, a local, Bay Area mom I met through knit group in SF), Forbidden Fiber Co (b/c I love a good, HP colorway), Teenybutton Studio (more HP colors), Must Stash Yarn, & Nomadic Yarns (HP).
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If you like Harry Potter yarn you should check out Bumblebee Acres.
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I’ve noticed more people using colour cards since the beginning of this year. It’s a great idea! Especially when planning multicolored projects – might have to start investing in some 🙂
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