It's Complicated

I liked math in school. I especially liked algebra. They told me I wouldn't use it in real life but I do. I was always intrigued by probabilities. I like formulas but sometimes I get overwhelmed.

So here is the problem I am working on now. I have 6 sheep and a llama that give me beautiful fleece but different fleece has different attributes. I wouldn't use Hildegard's fleece for a baby sweater and definitely not a scarf but plied with Beau's soft fleece I knit Lyndy a hat last winter that didn't feel too itchy.

I am compiling a set of sample yarns so I can see what looks good with what and what needs some cotswold thrown in for luster and how soft I can get Charlotte's fleece by adding some of Annie's or Sarah's. You get the idea.

There is color to consider and memory (ability of a yarn to remember what shape it is to take after it is washed).

Generally knitters work with two ply yarn but sometime it is 3 ply or more. One can knit with single ply but single ply is more the norm for weaving tapestries or rug hooking.

So here is the problem for all the math wizzes out there--- If you have fleeces from 6 sheep and a llama and you make a single ply from each and then ply each with all of the others and then do some 3 ply and then combine each with all the others while carding before spinning and then try the same thing only combining three different fleeces and then 4, 5, 6, and 7 and then ply these with the other combos ...... how many different yarns can I produce with the fleeces I have?

How many stacks of index cards will I need to purchase?