The Knitter’s Guide to Hand-Dyed and Variegated Yarn: Techniques and Projects for Handpainted and Multicolored Yarn by Lorna Miser, Watson-Guptill Publications, 2010.

Nearly, if not everyone, has them:  those gorgeous skeins of handpainted yarn, generally in some to-die-for soft fiber, that you have absolutely no idea what to do with.

In this book, Miser (founder of Lorna’s Laces), initially explores how to evaluate a skein of handpainted yarn and what to expect from it based on color and repeat length.  The remainder of the book focuses on different techniques (slip stitch, textured, stranded, etc), each given its own chapter, that enable you to make the best of your particular skeins.

The various stitch patterns within each section are clearly photographed.  Generally both charts and line by line instructions are given.

20 patterns of varying skill levels are included (2 per chapter) for you to put the techniques into action.  The patterns are general enough that even if you don’t care for the particular pattern, you can still get an idea of how the technique works, and can apply it to similar patterns.  Women’s sweater sizes range from XS-XL.  Schematics are included for garments.

If you’ve a stash that’s heavy on the variegated and handpainted yarns, this is a good book to have on hand.