I realised recently that we now make four different types of shade cards that come in three different styles! So, here’s a quick overview of our range and how I use them!
Firstly, what are shade cards? Shade cards are cards on which you can store a little sample of the yarn you are using. You then use the shade card to compare the sample yarn to your yarn ball whilst following your pattern so that you can check you are using the right yarn. I know for me, as soon as I open a ball of yarn, the label is discarded and then I’ve got no clue which colour name goes with which yarn ball. That’s why shade cards (and our yarn tags) are so handy, especially when using similar colours!
The first type of shade card we made was the blank one. It comes in three styles – I tend to use a ring binder style. This has two holes to slot into a ring binder, and perfect for storing with your pattern. I also have a little A5 ring binder that I use to store shade cards that I don’t have paper patterns for. I tend to write the name of the pattern at the top too so that I don’t forget it! For my temperature blanket however, I prefer a shade card with one hole. I use one of our rings to keep it with my yarn tags, as this one gets referenced so often and I don’t need a pattern as I’m making granny squares this time. I don’t tend to use the ones with no holes as often, but, if you do want to store them in a folder afterwards it is easy to hole punch a plastic folder and pop them in there. This is how I store my extra yarn tags that I don’t have room to keep out on display! It’s also useful for keeping the ones together that we take to markets as examples of how they can be used.
Initially I recommended using a biro to write on our shade cards. This is still the best way if you want a permeant record, but if you’re after something reusable then we offer two options. The first is to use a Frixion Erasable pen on our blank shade cards. They have a rubber at the end which removes the ink but the best method I have found is heat. If you very lightly touch a dry iron to the shade card then the Frixion ink is removed – I have a reel on Instagram that shows this too! It leaves behind a very pale mark where the text was so you couldn’t do this forever, but I have done this multiple times and you can write over the pale marks without issue. If you want a more permeant reusable option, then our engraved shade cards are ideal. Titled “My Current Project” and listing Yarn A, Yarn B etc, these can be reused frequently, by simply changing the yarn in them.
Another option we offer is a personalised shade card. This enables you to have whatever title and yarn names you want engraved on to your shade card! I love this option especially if you have a big project that will take it a while, just to make it a bit more special.
Finally, our temperature blanket shade cards! These come in a range of temperature ranges, but remember, if you we don’t have one that is perfect for you then you can order a personalised one instead to have exactly what you want! These are fab for knowing which colour to use for which temperature and I would be lost without mine.
And just a quick one about our beautiful yarn tags. These will forever be my favourite thing we make I think! Little yarn ball shaped tags for you to wrap your yarn around. I know people use different methods to attach yarn to the tag, but for me, I use hot glue. A dab on the back to attach the first bit of yarn, wrap the yarn around, and then a dab at the end to secure it! Fab for tracking colours, but also as decorations or name tags. We have our festive stockings to as it is nearly Christmas!
If you have any questions about these, or anything else we make please do get in touch! Lydia
