the blue blog archives: must swatch

Been swatching for the must have cardie! I'm so excited about cabling again. I wasn't however so excited about the braided cable or the wrapped stitches in the original pattern, so I'm trying out some other things. I like this better, but I'm still not sure that this is what I'm going to go with. I wanna love this cardigan, so I'm taking my time. I'm also planning on leaving off the ribbing at the bottom, as I prefer the look of a raw cable edge. Of course that leaves me with the question of how to do the button bands. Hmmm.... Must have, but first must tweak!

Kerrie asked what I was going to do with the alpaca I reclaimed from the abandoned cowl (see Tuesday's post). Orginally, I wanted to make a cardigan. Despite the small gauge of the yarn (US3s), I'm still leaning in that direction, since the alpaca is very warm and I fear a sweater would be too hot. I also want to try doing a lace pattern. I like the lace design in Jess from A Yorkshire Fable, and so knit up a little swatch to give it a try.

It was difficult getting the yarn to lie neatly in the decreases (thanks Carrie for warning me about this!) and I made a few mistakes, but I like it. No plans to start this monster of a project anytime soon though!

And now my yellow Peace Fleece (my booty from the Halcyon trip!) is calling to me. It wants to be knit up RIGHT NOW! I'm off to swatch it up today. (Note: Halcyon is amazing! I backordered a few skeins on our trip on Saturday and on Tuesday - the day after the holiday - they arrived at my doorstep. I told you this yarn wants to be knit up right away.)

posted by alison at 8:03 am | in

Comments

Oh, I love that lace design Alison, it looks gorgeous. You are going to be busy with all that swatching, I like your version of the cables for the must have cardi.

Posted by: kerrie at January 22, 2004 8:26 AM

Hmm...I sense a swatch-a-long...

Posted by: Dava at January 22, 2004 8:37 AM

Better listen to the Peace Fleece. You don't want a yarn rebellion. wait. probably marches, vigils and demonstrations instead....

Posted by: claudia at January 22, 2004 8:38 AM

I agree ditch the ribbing. My next cable jumper is not going to have any ribbing.

Posted by: Linda at January 22, 2004 8:57 AM

I like what you have substituted for the braided cables/wrapped stitches, Alison!
Wish I weren't so far up the sleeve because I'm not really crazy about keeping track of the wrapped stitches and the braided cables. Hmmmmmm...should I rip?

Posted by: Leigh at January 22, 2004 10:18 AM

Hi Alison, great swatches! That lace pattern is exactly like the one I was trying with the bright pink alpaca, or so close as makes no difference-- almost makes you wonder if Rowan was looking back through their own pattern books for inspiration! I think there is a double decrease in that pattern-- mine was written with a right-slanting ddec but I think a centered one might look better. You probably already figured that out. I also found that with alpaca, size 2 1/2 needles seemed just perfect for me. I probably won't be getting back to the fuschia very soon, but maybe there is an alpaca/lace/rowan knitalong of some sort in the future...?

Posted by: carrie at January 22, 2004 10:50 AM

Swatch-along, Alpaca'n Lace - along. I love it! Keep the -along ideas coming!

Carrie, what older Rowan pattern were you doing? And how would you do the centered decrease exactly?

Leigh, if it's making you crazy already, change it. You'll hate the sweater if it's such a pain to knit. But if you really like the result, then hang in there. It'll be worth it!

Posted by: alison at January 22, 2004 11:25 AM

Anxious to see what you choose for the Peace Fleece. I purchased a bunch of this same color about 2 years ago and have yet to find anything that I want to make with it. Maybe you'll give me some inspiration!

Posted by: Beverly at January 22, 2004 12:41 PM

Hey, does that mean it's "Must Swatch TV Thursday"? LOL...or is that only if you watch TV while you knit.... ;-)

Posted by: Eklectika! at January 22, 2004 2:24 PM

Dang, Alison, I'm like Leigh, and wondering why I didn't think about tweaks that might make the pattern easier for me before I started. I've only got a sleeve going and haven't even made a full repeat, so I'm actually going to consider ripping. Do you think sleeves could do without ribbing as well?

Posted by: Maggi at January 22, 2004 3:24 PM

Ooooohhh, I can't wait to see the peace fleece swatched up! I'm dreaming of peace fleece and wish I got at least one skein to play with. Road trip anyone??? haha! That color you bought is....well....like buttah! :)

Posted by: sandy at January 22, 2004 4:51 PM

i really like the cable desgin that you came up with. i don't remember exactly what the original pattern called for, but i also like how there is seed stitch mixed in. very pretty!

Posted by: melissa at January 22, 2004 6:32 PM

I love that lace pattern. I'd join a knitalong on that one. And a swatchalong, too. :)

Posted by: Kerstin at January 23, 2004 6:26 AM

i'm also planning on knitting jess sometime. i want to find a nice wool/silk blend. and, like you, i'm also in no hurry to get her on needles!

Posted by: shobhana at January 23, 2004 9:15 AM

I'm sorry to make so many of you question your Must Have's. I HAD to change those cables, but that's just me. Don't rip on my account!

So, let's see swatch-along, Peace Fleece-along, Jess-along... so many cool ideas!

Posted by: alison at January 23, 2004 11:02 AM