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Archive for the ‘gauge’ Category

A new sweater jumped onto my needles a while back. It’s being knit in fingering weight and has a gajillion stitches. So, the progress has been slow and not very picture worthy to date. This morning though, I decided I had enough of a sweater to really show off the amazing color that is the Wollmeise.

 

Sweater, Begun

 

The yarn is Wollmeise 80/20 twin in Spice Market. The pattern is Slipped Hours, which I think will show off the yarn, and hopefully my figure, to it’s best advantage.If all goes well, it will look like this in the end.

So far, I have had some mixed reviews of my gauge and the overall density of the fabric that the yarn/needle combo that I have choosen is producing. See, the Wollmeise has a tendancy to act a little like cotton when knit. It does not bloom. At all. And so, the fabric is not very dense at all.

At first, I was very worried, but as I knit more, things are looking much better and I think that in the end, I will be happy with the rather drapey fabric that is produced. It may mean that some waist shaping will be needed as the fabric won’t cling the same way it would normally, however, I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

See? Swatching; it’s for chumps.

p.s. Hubby, if you are reading this, I really really need a light box, tripod, and light for Xmas. Just sayin.

 

 

 

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The Marlene Socks are finished. Digging these.

Made in the Shade

Made in the Shade

I made these exactly as the pattern called for, using sport weight yarn. I know there are a lot of you out there that have made these in fingering weight. I don’t get it. How could it even be possible that they would go over a human sized calf using fingering weight.

I highly recommend sport weight and a pair of US 2 needles.

I also did one less repeat of the pattern for the leg and ribbed the toe by following the pattern and doing the decreases one stitch in from each needle. Worked like a charm.

It’s odd, really, because although the model in the pattern shows a ribbed toe (check out the last blog entry for a visual), the pattern gives directions for a stockinette toe. So, I winged it.

Next up: Eunice

KAL Sock #3 - Eunice

KAL Sock #3 - Eunice

Made with your choice of sock yarn:

Koigu kppm in charcoal

Koigu kppm in charcoal

and, another super secret project is about to hit the needles. One hint – it’s for Sock Summit and it may about kill me.

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I’ve caught the sweater bug again. I guess it was only a matter of time really.

So, I cast on for Jane and hopefully this will sufficently scratch that sweater itch.

Simple Beginning

Simple Beginning

There isn’t much to it yet. But, I like it. Yes, I do.

And, I am still waiting to cast on with the Koigu sock that y’all so helpfully choose in the last vote.

But, I won’t be casting on with it until next month because the KAL people, in all their infinite wisdom decided to make this a free choice month.

This means that Eunice won’t begin until next month. In the meantime, hang in there, it looks like there will be a lot of stockinette sweater in my future.

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I am almost finished with the Olive Branch Yoga Hoodie. I was a bit worried this morning when I realized that in about 10 rows I would be done and I have not once, ever tried this sweater on to see if it will fit.

So, in a fit of panic, with the thought of ripping back countless rows of mindless stockinette, I pulled out my template sweater and compared the two. Big sigh of relief, it looks like it’s going to fit. It’s actually got a little bit of positive ease, maybe an inch and a half on either side which will be absolutely perfect for a sweater meant to be worn as a top layer.

 

Olive Branch Hoodie

Olive Branch Hoodie

 

I love the detailing at the bottom. It’s simple enough to work on while watching tv with TG, and with enough detail to break up the mindless stockinette.

 

Olive Branch Motif

Olive Branch Motif

 

And, the Go With the Flow socks are coming along nicely.

 

Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Lottery

Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Lottery

 

Hopefully these will be finished before Rhinebeck as well. Only 24 more sleeps…

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I started a new project and I didn’t even have the decency to blog about it. I don’t know what came over me. Sorry ’bout that. I solemnly swear not to do this again.

 The project? A sweater. And, as promised, I am using my new Knit Picks harmony wood interchangeable circs. These are a pure joy to work with. Smooth join, flexible cable and all that. But, I digress. The sweater is actually Rusted Root designed by Sarah & Rachel of Zephyr Style. Originally, I had planned on making this sweater in the yarn that is specified in the original, but after seeing this Rowan Cashsoft dk at my LYS on sale during their boxing day sale, I decided that it would be the perfect yarn. I was right. Although I am not getting row gauge, I am getting stitch gauge, so no problems there. I started this on Friday and am satisfied with how quickly it is knitting up. Yay.

  

I also finished the second clue of the SOTS II KAL. That makes me only six days behind. With only 75 odd rows to go to finish the third clue and 2 days to get there, I am thinking that some sort of miracle might have to happen for me to get caught up on time. I’d blame the weekend away if it weren’t so dang awesome.

SOTS II Clue 2 Finished

Otherwise, I am just going to keep plugging away at the UFO’s on my needles and trying to get those WIP’s down to a number under five. I think this should be a manageable goal…

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I don’t have much in the way of knitting to show you today. I am working on the Entrelac Baby blanket (remember that?) which doesn’t really get much more interesting as it grows and I have hit a snag (again) in the SOTS II lace pattern – once again, I have tried to tink back a bit and messed things up even more than they were to begin with.

So, I figured I would show you a few of the things that I have acquired over the last few years of knitting that I simply can not live without.

1. Books

When I first started knitting, I figured that books were too expensive and bought only magazines for the first year. However, I am now finding that books are where its at. I pick these up and knit from them much more often than a magazine and they are easier to find a certain pattern – such as a quick baby project – much faster than a magazine simply because they are organized by type of project.

Knitting Books 

 The book I use most? The one I thought I would use the least for some reason – Last Minute Knitted Giftsby Joelle Hoverson. I simply love this book. I have made five of the projects from the book and have plans to make at least two more before I am through.

2. Needles

The first set of needles that I managed to get my hands on were a pair of straight plastic size 6US needles that I pilfered out of my mother’s stash. Now, my mom does not knit and so these had been hanging around since the 1970′s. I knit 2/3 of an acrylic baby blanket on them and they were so sticky and hard to use, I almost gave up knitting. Then I discovered the joys of interchangeable circulars. I got my Denise set first which was perfect for a beginning knitter as they are smooth and flexible, but still have some grab to them. Then, I got a set of Boye and I am finding that I prefer these to the Denise set as they are slicker and I can knit faster with them as my skill has increased. Of course, when Knit Picks came out with their interchangeable and the buzz that surrounded them was deafening, I knew I needed some of these needles. I have yet to use them, but as soon as I am ready to cast on for my next project (a sweater!), these will be my weapon of choice.

Needles 

I think what I love most about interchangeable circs is the flexibility. You always have at hand any size needles and cables necessary for any project. To me, interchangeable circs offer the best bang for your buck.

3.  A Good Bag

Nothing beats a good knitting bag. I am partial to Namaste bags, myself, but there are so many amazing options out there that knitters have almost endless choice. For Christmas, I received a Namaste Messenger bag in Mauve. This bag fits my needs perfectly. It is exceptionally roomy without being too large and has a number of inner and outer pockets that I can stash tools, yarn, and other necessary accessories in.

Namaste Messenger 

I also have a Namaste Jetsetter that I love and will be able to carry to and from work without a lot of questions as it most definitely does not look like a typical knitting bag.

Namaste Jetsetter 

I am currently coveting one of the Newer Namaste bags – the Malibu design. Too cute.

4. Finally, a Good Yarn

Blue Sky Alpaca - Alpaca/Silk 

The right yarn is important. Now, don’t get me wrong, the right yarn doesn’t have to be expensive or made of the highest quality fibers, but it is extremely important to match the right yarn to the right project. Yarns have characteristics that should work to the advantage of the project you are knitting. I had very little understanding of this concept when I first started knitting. I wanted to knit Tempting but had no clue about the type of yarn that should be used. Consequently, I choose a good solid workhorse yarn – Knit Picks Wool of the Andes. This yarn, while amazing for felted projects and non-drapey garments, is not a great fit for Tempting. As a result, the sweater has sat, folded in my closet, for the last few years. It’s stiff like cardboard and rides up like you wouldn’t believe because of the lack of drape in the knit fabric. I think that yarn substitution is a learned skill and gets easier with each project. When in doubt, swatch the yarn you are planning to use before committing to making a whole sweater out of it. Once the swatch is done (be sure to make a generous swatch – at least4″ square) and look at the drape of the yarn, the thickness, the gauge and the overall effect of the yarn. I often swatch, wash the swatch and step away for a few days before I make my decision. Sometimes the best yarn pills or breaks down (causing those little bits of fibre to fly away and tickle your nose as you wear it) when washed. Every yarn has the right project. It’s up to you to find it.

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So, let’s face it, gauge is important. Right? Well, yeah. So, what I am going to tell you next is going to make you cringe. I never swatch. Nope, never. Therefore, I have no idea if I have gauge or not when making anything. No seriously.

Ok, let me explain. Most of what I make is baby/child clothes. I have two girls who are five years apart. Therefore, if it doesn’t fit one, it’s bound to fit the other some time. I also make socks. Socks generally are worked on a fairly standard number of stitches; therefore no gauge needed there either. And, up until just recently, I didn’t make sweaters. Nope. Never.

Until now. Enter Emerald. So pretty. So soft. And, knit on such freakin big needles that I am having trouble getting gauge. I have tried going up an entire needle size (and trust me that’s a huge difference between US 10 and 11). Luckily, the designer of the pattern is also my LYS owner, so after a quick call to her (and a brief refresher in how gauge works) and things are back on track. Hopefully.

IMG_4073

I must admit, I am still nervous. It seems as though it may be just me overthinking things here, but sweaters have so many things which can go horribly wrong. The fit might not be right. The sleeves might be too short or too long. The dang thing might end up way too short. And, things like waist shaping and sort rows for the collar may not end up in the right place.
I love this sweater. I love the yarn. Please, Sweater Gods, help me to make this sweater fit perfectly.

IMG_4078

Oh yeah, next post? Another unauthorized review of Cat Bordhi’s new book and possibly a secret to share…

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