MONOCHROME: WARM FAQ! 🍂🌲✨
🍂 faqs, fun facts + tips! 🌲
General Info
Release Date
Sunday, October 4th at 7pm Mountain Time
Turnaround Time
The MONOCHROME: Warm Collection turnaround time will be 6-8 weeks, with all orders shipping by Sunday, November 29th at the latest.
Please note that this is the latest date your order will ship. We start shipping preorder yarn about 3 weeks into dyeing so that we're able to move yarn through the studio, making it more likely that you receive your order in a shorter turnaround timeframe.
Shipping
we automatically combine orders if you place more than one during the preorder – this is automatic so no need to email us asking us to do so!
all shipping overages over $5 will be refunded
we ship orders as they become ready, so depending on what you order and when we dye it, you could get it well before the stated turnaround time.
if you need to change your shipping address, you must email our Customer Relations manager, Jenn, at hello@explorerknits.com so we can update it in our shipping system!
Love Tax
As of June 2024, we have updated our Anti Fat Tax (Love Tax) policy. Going forward, our Love Tax discount will be 15% off orders of 7+ skeins of any colorway/base that are intended to be used for a single project with the discount code ANTI FAT TAX.
We ask that you put Love Tax-eligible yarn (e.g. an 8-skein sweater quantity) in an order separate from yarn that the discount does not apply to (e.g. a sock set). We automatically combine orders and refund all shipping overages over $5!
Any kit with 7+ skeins is eligible for our 15% Anti-Fat Tax (Love Tax) discount with the code ANTI FAT TAX KITS. Please place your Love Tax-eligible kits in an order separate from any Love Tax-eligible non-kit yarn AND any Love Tax-ineligible yarn. We automatically combine orders and refund all shipping overages over $5!
This system will only work if we have trust between each other and faith that only those that actually need the code use it. If we have fears that people are taking advantage of this inclusivity discount we will find another way to implement it for those who need it.
Bases Offered
Suri Alpaca Lace ($29): 74% Baby Suri Alpaca, 26% Mulberry Silk • lace weight • 328 yards (300 meters) per 50g
Denali Sock ($29): • 80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon • fingering weight • 2-ply • 400 yards (366 meters) per 100g
Denali Sock 50g ($15): 80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon • fingering weight • 2-ply • 200 yards (183 meters) per 50g
Denali Sock Mini ($8): 80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon • fingering weight • 2-ply • 80 yards (73 meters) per 20g
Cashmere Caverns Sock ($30): 80% Superwash Merino, 10% Nylon, 10% Cashmere • fingering weight • 4-ply • 435 yards (398 meters) per 100g
Earthy Sock ($30): 100% Non-Superwash Merino • fingering weight • 4-ply • 436 yards (399 meters) per 100g
Earthy Sock Mini ($8): 100% Non-Superwash Merino • fingering weight • 4-ply • 87 yards (80 meters) per 20g
Linen Sock ($30): 80% Non-Superwash Merino, 20% Linen • fingering weight • 4-ply • 437 yards (400 meters) per 100g • 18.5 microns
Tweed Sock ($29): 85% Superwash Merino, 15% Donegal Nep • fingering weight • 2-ply • 438 yards (401 meters) per 100g
Teton Sport ($29): 80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon • sport weight • 3-ply • 328 yards (300 meters) per 100g
Rockies DK ($29): 100% Superwash Merino • DK weight • 8-ply • 274 yards (251 meters) per 100g
Rockies DK 50g ($15): 100% Superwash Merino • DK weight • 8-ply • 136 yards (124 meters) per 50g
Cashmere DK ($30): 80% Superwash Merino, 10% Nylon, 10% Cashmere • DK weight • 4-ply • 231 yards (211 meters) per 100g
*new!* Adirondack DK ($30): 100% Non-Superwash Merino • DK weight • 4-ply • 246 yards (225 meters) per 100g • 20.5 microns
Linen DK ($30): 80% Non-Superwash Merino, 20% Linen • DK weight • 4-ply • 231 yards (211 meters) per 100g • 18.5 microns
Bouclé DK ($31): 100% Superwash Merino • DK weight • single ply • 240 yards (219 meters) per 100g
Tweed DK ($29): 85% Superwash Merino, 15% Donegal Nep • DK weight • 4-ply • 231 yards (211 meters) per 100g
Carlsbad Worsted ($29): 100% Superwash Merino • worsted weight • 4-ply • 218 yards (199 meters) per 100g
Colorways Offered
Forest Floor | Don't Lose Sight of Who You Are
Daybreak | Staten Island Ferry
Snoqualmie | Docile
Brooklyn Brownstone | Wooly
Spiced Peach | Leaf Peeping
Sets Offered
tonal full skein set
type
Monochrome Warm Tonal Palette (10 Monochrome Warm Tonals)
bases
Suri Alpaca Lace — Denali Sock — 50g Denali Sock — Cashmere Caverns Sock — Earthy Sock (NSW) — Linen Sock (NSW) — Tweed Sock — Teton Sport — Rockies DK — 50g Rockies DK — Cashmere DK — Adirondack DK (NSW) — Linen DK (NSW) — Tweed DK — Bouclé DK — Carlsbad Worsted
mini sets
type
Monochrome Warm Tonal Palette (10 Monochrome Warm Tonals)
bases
Denali Sock
Earthy Sock
Tweed Sock
sock sets
Single Mini Sock Set
(100g tonal + 20g coordinating tonal skein - yes, you can mix and match within Monochrome Warm pairings!)
bases
Denali Sock
Earthy Sock
Forest Floor + Don't Lose Sight of Who You Are
Don't Lose Sight of Who You Are + Forest Floor
Daybreak + Staten Island Ferry
Staten Island Ferry + Daybreak
Snoqualmie + Docile
Docile + Snoqualmie
Brooklyn Brownstone + Wooly
Wooly + Brooklyn Brownstone
Spiced Peach + Leaf Peeping
Leaf Peeping + Spiced Peach
Kits Offered
We will be offering yarn kits for some of our favorite patterns for the collection launch! Friendly reminder: These kits are only for the yarn – to get the pattern you will need to purchase it directly from the designer in the links provided!
Butterchrome Ravelry Bundle (in all its glory 😍)
Khối Pullover
ozuko
The Khối Pullover is a seamless, top-down v-neck sweater with asymmetrical color blocking. Designed for an oversized fit with 6-8” / 15.2-20.3cm positive ease, and dropped shoulders. This is a perfect garment for learning (or practicing!) intarsia in the round.
Yarn Base: Rockies DK
Colorways: In My Neon Era (MC) + BFF4L (CC)
Superlative Sweater
Samantha Guerin
The Superlative Sweater is a drop-shoulder sweater worked from the top down. The back of the sweater is cast on at the shoulders. Left and right front shoulders are picked up from the cast on edge and worked flat with shaping for the neckline. Sweater front and back are worked flat to the sleeve depth and then the body is joined to work in the round. Sleeves are picked up and knit downward. The body is finished with a folded hem. Collar and cuffs are finished with 1x1 rib and a tubular bind off.
Yarn Bases: Bouclé DK & Rockies DK
Colorways: Roller Skate Red (MC) + Grapefruit (CC)
Superlative Sweater on Ravelry
Abuela Tank
Michelle Jones MMMaking
The Abuela Tank is crocheted in timeless granny stitch. Made from a light and cool cotton, it’s worked in two parts (front and back) from the bottom up with the edgings added after seaming.
Instructions are given for one-color, however, our sample is in two colors and this is easily achieved!
Yarn base: Teton Sport
Colorways: Pepperoncini (MC) + Lemon Drop (CC)
Imber Socks
Summer Lee
The Imber Socks were designed using a classic houndstooth pattern. The colorwork chart is easy to memorize, making these socks an interesting-yet-soothing knit.
Yarn base: Denali Sock
Colorways: Spindrift (MC) + Freezie Pop (CC)
Fortuna's Wheel Pullover
Elspeth Vance
Fortuna’s Wheel is a top-down raglan pullover, the neck shaping is worked flat, then joined and worked in the round. The front, back and sleeves are separated by striped raglan seams worked in alternating yarn A and yarn B in 1x1 Rib. Shaping is worked on either side of these raglan seams.
Yarn base: Carlsbad Worsted
Colorways: Escapism (MC) + Butterfly Pea Flower (CC)
Fortuna's Wheel Pullover on Ravelry
Farfalle Cardigan
Amy Christoffers
The Farfalle motif pattern is charted. Mosaic colorwork is created by working 2 rows with a main color (MC) and followed by 2 rows with a contrast color (CC), slipping stitches to produce the pattern. The Farfalle cardigan is worked in pieces and seamed. The body and sleeves are worked with allover mosaic and ribbed hems, cuffs and front band.
Yarn Base: Carlsbad Worsted
Colorways: Metamorphosis (MC) + Butterfly Effect (CC)
Any kit with 7+ skeins is eligible for our 15% Anti-Fat Tax (Love Tax) discount with the code ANTI-FAT TAX KITS. Please place your Love Tax-eligible kits in an order separate from any Love Tax-eligible non-kit yarn AND any Love Tax-ineligible yarn. We automatically combine orders and refund all shipping overages over $5!
All dyed-to-order (preorder) sales are final.
Non-Superwash Fun Facts
New to NSW? No worries! We all know how much I love our superwash bases, so this info is for those like me who haven't worked with non-superwash much and are curious to learn more about it! Here are some interesting facts and benefits:
regulates body temperature well (keeping the wearer not too hot/too cold) - hikers often use wool as insulating base layers/socks to keep dry while hiking
stitches bloom well and fill out when blocked (especially noticeable in colorwork projects) and don't stretch out (NSW garments have good memory)
moisture-wicking and more water-resistant than superwash yarns
more sustainably produced (minimally processed and non-resource-intensive to create)
appear less saturated than our superwash yarns, often looking like a more blended, lower-contrast version of the colorway (especially in variegated colorways)
Earthy Sock is very soft as non-superwash bases go, Earthy DK blooms beautifully and becomes even softer after blocking, and Linen Sock and Linen DK have a lovely heathered look in most tonal colorways. It is within the nature of non-superwash yarns to be much blendier than superwash yarns in variegated colors, often resulting in diffused, murkier shades (especially with darker colorways). Make sure to reference the photos of our NSW yarns on Instagram to see exactly how they will look!
Our Newest Base: Adirondack DK 🍂
For some time now, we have been searching for a new non-superwash base to add to our lineup, particularly a DK weight one! While we liked Earthy DK, there were some things that just never sat quite right with us, and we wanted to bring something new to the table that we loved even more than our Earthy DK base. Enter: Adirondack DK 😌
Adirondack DK is a 100% non-superwash merino yarn, with a 20.5 micron count, and 246 yards/100g skein. If you are still learning the ins and outs of NSW yarn like I am, the lower the micron, the softer the yarn 👀
For comparison, if you tried our Earthy DK base, that one sat at 26.5 microns! This new base is EXTREMELY soft, bouncy, and has such a great structure to it. A little more drape compared to Earthy DK, but to me, the structure of this yarn falls right in between Rockies DK and Earthy DK, similar to how our Linen DK base is, but with the feel of Cashmere DK.
Another thing I’ll mention about this base is that is takes color up more richly compared to our Earthy DK and Linen DK bases. Still slightly less saturated than our superwash bases like Rockies DK, which is the only superwash base available in this update, but less so compared to our NSW bases in the past, which is why we are SO excited about it.
Adirondack DK ($30): 100% Non-Superwash Merino • DK weight • 4-ply • 246 yards (225 meters) per 100g • 20.5 microns
Bouclé All Day
We are SO excited that you all have been loving our Bouclé DK base! A lot of people are just starting to use bouclé, so we asked one of our lovely sample knitters, Megan, for some tips and tricks for your first time working with this yarn:
swatching with bouclé yarn is essential — because our Bouclé DK base is less elastic compared to our other DK bases, your bouclé gauge will likely be different than your non-bouclé gauge (our sample knitter knit swatches on US 2-6 to see the fabric the bouclé creates on each size for our Port Sweater sample)
use markers — stitches in bouclé yarn are harder to read and tell apart, so having removable stitch markers for marking increases/decreases, etc. is recommended!
test out needle/hook styles — some makers prefer super sharp needles to get into the bouclé stitches easier, and others prefer dull needles to prevent snagging the bouclé loops. Our sample knitter recommends trying both if you have the option when swatching!