the blue blog archives: tuesday is knitalong day

Stella says she's spotted the Rowan pattern on sale at Sophie's Yarns in Philadelphia. If anyone's searching you might see if they will send it to you! Check out Mattie's blog for a glimpse of the Yarn Warehouse pattern. And lookie, lookie, Jenn, Katie, and Tami have actual progress to show. Woohoo! Poor MA is off to the frog pond already with the beginnings of her weasley sweater. Boohoo.

And I can't get gauge. I'd have to use US3's to even come close to gauge. Yeah, I'll be knitting this one continental again, and I'm a muuuuuch looser knitter when I use my left hand. I might try using the US4's and making a smaller size. It's a simple drop shoulder style, so there shouldn't be any huge problems with letting the gauge size-up the sweater.

By the way, will you ladies be doing the letter intarsia style or is anyone else thinking duplicate stitch, like me?

posted by alison at 8:45 am | in weasleys

Comments

Have you ever knitted Continental and purled Western? Does it affect your guage or tension?
(Thanks to you, I've recently tried knitting in the Continental method and like it, but have been throwing for purl stitches.

Posted by: Leslie at October 12, 2004 8:54 AM

Just wanted to comment that I have made two of these sweaters - the first time I used intarsia and the second time I duplicate-stitched. My intarsia skills are not great (I usually make textured or Fair Isle projects) but this is so simple that the first sweater came out OK! However, I preferred the duplicate stitch method just because it felt like the project moved along more quickly. I used a light-worsted weight wool so the duplicate-stich H does "stand out" a bit from the background, but I rather like the applique effect.

Good luck with your sweaters, everyone.

Posted by: Edith at October 12, 2004 11:54 AM

Are you heading to Cirlces tonight to meet Amy for the Knit Wit book signing? Hope to see you there!

Posted by: Amy at October 12, 2004 12:23 PM

i think i'm going to try the intarsia style, but it will be my first time ever...i'm a little nervous. i'd be less nervous if i ever got my pattern though...grrr. too bad MA had to frog hers already.

Posted by: heather at October 12, 2004 1:11 PM

i think i'm going to try the intarsia style, but it will be my first time ever...i'm a little nervous. i'd be less nervous if i ever got my pattern though...grrr. too bad MA had to frog hers already.

Posted by: heather at October 12, 2004 1:11 PM

I'm doing intarsia, because this is my second experience with it. The first time I threw the project across the room screaming. I'm hoping to get the hang of this intarsia thing this time. Though, if I do end up screaming and pitching a fit, I might just join you in the duplicate stitching. We'll see...

I hope you figure out your gauge!

Posted by: Jenn at October 12, 2004 2:29 PM

I'll probably be doing the front intarsia - also my second attempt after the (eventually successful) Anouk pockets. The kit yarn is on the thinner side (US5 needles!) so I fear duplicate stitch might look too bulky. Alison, to get gauge I have had to knit verrrry loosely - I knit Continental. You can see lots of daylight thought the back if it is held up to the light. I figure my son will wear a t-shirt under it anyway. Happy knitting all...

Posted by: Katie at October 12, 2004 2:43 PM

I'll definitely be doing duplicate stitch!! :)

Posted by: Stella at October 12, 2004 3:16 PM

Which pattern are you doing? I just called Sophie's and they think they have it but are not sure. They will call me back. I am going to use Rowan Cork in burgandy (berries) and mustard for the letter. I can't wait as this will be a Christmas suprise. Please add me to the knit along though I will be knitting late.

Happy Knitting
Melissa

Posted by: Melissa at October 12, 2004 4:05 PM

Greetings from the frog pond! My yarn has been on my swift for 24 hours, I think it's about ready to be balled again, so I'm going to start again...

Everyone that's made progress looks great though!

Posted by: MA at October 12, 2004 5:16 PM

I plan to do intarsia for the letter. If it looks like it is not working out I will probably take it out and do duplicate stitch.
Have a great week!

Posted by: Tami at October 12, 2004 7:54 PM

Thanks for the feedback everyone, especially you Edith. It's a great help to hear from someone who's made the sweater a couple of times. Now I'm more conflicted as ever. Perhaps I'll try the intarsia.

Melissa, the pattern I have is a Rowan pattern that's called "Harry Potter" sweater. It says something about being licensed from Pride & Joy. It was sold as a single pattern, so not in a Rowan book or magazine.

Leslie, I haven't ever switched knitting styles in a project or from row to row. My tension is very different, so I don't think it would be a good idea. I also enjoy purling continental, so I don't really have any reason to avoid it and switch back to a right-handed carry. It's so cool that you've found a method that works for you though. Have you ever tried combined knitting??

And I'm sorry to say that I had to miss Amy at her book signing at Circles. It's the exact same time that I teach my weekly knitting class. :0( I hope those of you who made it had lots of fun!

Posted by: alison at October 12, 2004 10:41 PM

My LYS hasn't recieved the Felted Tweed yet, but I do have the pattern. I'm leaning towards duplicate stitch...

Posted by: amysue at October 12, 2004 10:49 PM

Hello, it's Signe from Denmark. I just want to give some good advice on knitting the front of the Weasley-sweater: When I knitted the H on the Harry Potter sweater, the pattern said something about weaving the yarn acros the letter every second or third stich (so you don't get these long threads on the inside that the children get stuck in). Well, I realised that since the H has straight sides it tends to "cramp" together, but if I dragged the yarn for the letter a bit further than the actual letter and weaved it in 2 or three stiches further, I didn't get this problem. I'm sorry I'm not able to explain it better and I wish I could send you a picture of it...I'll see if I can get around to borrow a camera to take a picture.
I finished the front and I'm still working on the back. It's a bit dull!

Posted by: Signe at October 14, 2004 3:37 AM

I got my yarn today! Yay! Hunter green sweater with a yellow W. I'm actually just using a generic sweater pattern and not the Rowan one, but I think it will work out just fine. Can't wait to get it done.

Posted by: Erin at October 16, 2004 7:35 PM