Best tips for working with black yarn

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If you have been around the fiber arts community for even just a short period of time then you may have encountered the dilemma of what it’s like working with black or other dark colored yarn.

In my several years of selling finished crochet items at craft shows I have come to learn that people LOVE black. I never carried many finished items in black the first 2 years of selling but now when I am at craft shows I have at least 2 of every item in black. And guess what? The black is one of the first colors to be snatched up.

Downsides to working with black or dark colored yarn:

It can be very hard to see the final stitch definition of an item
It is hard to see what you are doing when you are actually working with it
It is hard to photograph

Upsides to working with black or dark colored yarn:

Black can go with almost anything
It can be a good color option if making a surprise gift for someone
Many people do enjoy pairing black with their existing wardrobe

Best tips for working with black or dark colored yarn:

1. Good and proper lighting:

I find that working with black yarn is best done during the natural light of the day. Sit with a window behind you or beside you and the natural light from outside helps you see very clearly.

If you do find yourself needing to work at night with black or dark colored yarn then here are some other light source options you can try.

Sit next to a bright lamp
Use a headlamp or clip on reading lights if you wear glasses
Another option may even be lighted crochet hooks

2. Work with a white surface:

You can lay down something white where you are working. Either on your lap or on a tabletop and the white backdrop can help you see better as you are looking down at your project.

3. Use simple stitches or designs with an open stitch work:

This third option may not always be possible but it is good to keep in mind when working with black or dark colored yarn to keep it simple. The less counting you need to do the better and the less different types of stitches you can work with is also best.

Another tip is using a design with a more open stitch work or using a slightly larger hook size than what that type of yarn calls for. It may also be easier to work with black yarn if you are using a design that you have already made before and are familiar with.

Black crochet infinity scarf with open stitch work

4. Utilize stitch markers:

If you have a design where you need to keep an accurate row count you can always use stitch markers to help keep you on track. Place a stitch marker every 5th or 10th row or whatever works best for you to help you keep count without needing to go back and try counting the black rows.

I hope you found many of these tips to be helpful as you work on your projects that may involve black or other dark colored yarn!