One of the questions I get asked a lot is what weft yarn do I prefer. You may get that question, too, if you’ve been weaving tapestries for a while. I never have a good answer. EPiC yarns from Timeless Textiles, Array from Gist Yarns, and weaversbazaar Fine from weaversbazaar. are those I reach for most often. These are all similar in weight, and fine enough to use in weft bundling. Of thicker weights, I also really like Faro, previously from Borgs and now being sold through Glimakra, Eugene Textile Center. (They also have a finer weight, Mora, that I used to use a lot more- but the color palette is subdued.) I haven’t tried Tuna yet… but I’d like to.

I’ve written a blog post on weft yarns in the past. For now, I’m going to focus on EPiC. It comes in 114 hues and what makes it unique is the variation in many of the colors. It’s available in many (6!) put-ups from 30 yard reelings to 1/2 pound cones. Even better you can purchase a 10 yard sampling of every color at a very reasonable price.

And, if 10 yds isn’t enough, they also have a Designer Pack which sets you up with 1/2 ounce of all 114 colors! The hanks below are from the Designer Pack. This pack makes it amazingly easy to play with color combinations. Never mind how much fun that is, too.

Another thing I love about EPiC is the many options in the lighter shades, often lacking in other choices. We all learn the importance of Value in tapestry, right? Those light shades can be super important.

I don’t remember exactly when it was, but I think I was working on the Value in Tapestry module of my Elements course and it occurred to me one day that I could create “Value Packs” which would include 5 different values from light to dark - in pleasing color combinations. It sounded like a good idea and I muddled it around in my head for a while until one day when my daughter was visiting. I mentioned it and saw her eyes light up.

We gathered all the hanks from the Designer Pack and started playing.

Actually, it was probably play more for her than me. I was meticulously taking notes. Labeling each color 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 to make sure there was one of each in every selection. Work or play, it was a lot of fun. We made 9 combos that day:

It took me a while to get them on the website but they were a big hit when I did. There was also an added advantage in doing this: I could use these combinations myself! And I did several times when I needed a sample- or was about to face a road trip, I could look back at my list and wind off small reelings and be ready to go. Without my usual agonizing over color choices.

I have to say Sagebrush must be my favorite. I based my “Tree Spirits” weaving on Sagebrush and a small sample for the Soumak class, too.

And A Touch of color was used in another sample for the Soumak class:

Skip ahead a couple of years…

My daughter came for another visit and we were at it again. This time with 12 new combos.

I know how fortunate I am to have a daughter who likes to “play” with me. And not only did she help with the selections, she also came up with the names. Thanks, Hazel!

All 21 combos are now available.

I have my eye on Winter Skies… what’s your favorite?