the blue blog archives: watch me swatch

As I approach the finish line on maggie, my fingers are itching for a new project. Time to make the swatches! (Nevermind that the frankensweater and ava remain untouched and the tea set still needs a creamer), I'm moving on.

As you can see, I'm just starting to fiddle around with the yarns. I haven't had time to make "life-size" swatches yet or swatch my new Phil' Onde (which I'm really excited to try out!). Instead of knitting, I've been spending my time buying and wrapping birthday presents. Birthday pics tomorrow!

posted by alison at 12:02 am | in fabu habu , shhhh...

Comments

The Habu cotton looks fabby and interesting. Can't wait to see what you will have on your needles next :o)

Posted by: lyn at July 14, 2004 3:27 AM

Since you are swatching - some swatching questions for you. How big of a swatch do you make for each project? Do you block your swatch? If you don't block, once you get gauge, do you rip it out and start knitting your project with the same yarn? I'm new to knitting (started in April) and have "swatched," but not sure if I did it correctly.... Thanks!

Posted by: Jen at July 14, 2004 8:36 AM

Alison dear, Let me tell you, I love knitting with Phil'Onde (nenuphar) it's so light and spongy. Super Super things to say about this yarn...Can't wait to hear what you think about it...I just am seeing the fade now...it's so gradual...

Posted by: Heather at July 14, 2004 9:12 AM

First time commenting, but I've been peeking and lurking here and there. I thought I'd let you know that the yarn amount for Hush Hush has been edited. It's now asking for one more skein in each size.

Posted by: Jeanne at July 14, 2004 2:52 PM

The pink will look great on you!

In the meantime, I'm loving that tea set!

Posted by: Kim at July 14, 2004 7:52 PM

Thanks Jeanne for mentioning the changes to Hush pattern.

Heather, I'm glad to hear that you like the Phil'Onde. If I weren't swamped, I'd pick it up this minute!

Jen, good swatching questions. First let me say that I am a very lazy swatcher! I usually check the gauge info on the ball band and estimate how many stitches would be needed for four inches and cast on that many. I knit for a bit (at least an inch) and take a preliminary measurement. If I'm way off, I'll change needles right away, otherwise I'll knit a bit more to be sure that my gauge is close. I don't usually block or wash swatches, unless I've heard that the yarn really changes and it's absolutely necessary. And I always unravel the swatches and reuse them. So, I'm no model to follow here. If you'd like some info on how to swatch the RIGHT way, check out this Knitty article.

Posted by: alison at July 15, 2004 8:56 AM

Thanks Alison, for answering my questions on swatching. I read the article on knitty that you suggested, but I don't think I'll ever have enough patience to swatch the *right* way!

Posted by: Jen at July 18, 2004 11:36 AM