Close Knitters

When we tell people that they have to do a gauge swatch at least half of the knitting population says, “Do I really? I knit loose- can’t I just go down a needle size?”

Well, maybe. Then again, maybe not. It does save a lot of time to try out the yarn and needles- to make sure that you’re knitting a sweater that will fit the person it’s being knit for, not her two year old daughter. And it’s good to see the texture that the yarn has- just because the designer likes that yarn at four stitches to the inch doesn’t mean that you will.

Eventually most knitters learn that they will be happier if they just make the swatch.

There is one trick that can make swatching easier.

Here’s one swatch

It’s got a little stockinette, a little garter, a little openwork pattern. I knit it last year sometime. I have no idea what needles I used for it, just that there are at least two sizes involved.

Here’s the trick-

See the purl bumps on the stockinette? They tell me what size needle I did the swatch in. One has nine bumps, one seven. So one was knit on a size seven needle, the other on a size nine. So simple, and so useful! Many thanks to Stephanie Purl-McPhee (aka the Yarn Harlot) for this one.

One other thing about making a swatch- if the garment, blanket or whatever you’re making will be washed, wash the swatch the same way and check the gauge after it dries. Some yarns won’t change, others will.

Working on a sweater? Need a little moral support or help? The Sweater Support Group meets on the last Thursday of the month, from 7 to 9. $10 drop in fee- chocolate provided as needed if we have to rip anything out.

And if you’re just starting a sweater- yes, you’ll have to do a swatch!

A few hot days, and we’re all thinking of summer tops.

Remember the linen one Kim knit last month?

It’s in the current Vogue Knitting.

Jen has already knit one, and has a request from her sister for one in light green.

Jin’s orange is done.

Jin has also knit a similar top out of Berroco’s Origami. Origami is a worsted weight blend of acrylic, linen, nylon and cotton. It comes in multicolors that work up to solid effect.

While the silhouette is similar, the constuction is different. The bodice of the Origami top is knit from side to side, then you pick up stitches and knit the lower section. The pattern is one of the new booklets from Berroco, the pattern is called Bellambie.

If this has inspired you to knit a summer top, great! However, please be aware that the worsted weight linen from Louet has been discontinued, so we have limited stock on hand. We do have lots of Provence, Origami, and Seduce, all of which would work well for either top.

Inge knit this out of bamboo-

Here’s a close up of the beading

It is the same color, but the lighting was different-

Often when people think of knitted scarves they only think of the warm wooly ones that keep your neck warm and jazz up winter coats and jackets. The ones moms tie around kid’s necks to keep the draft out. Winter scarves.

But for knitters (and crocheters) there is a whole world of potential in lightweight scarves for summer. These aren’t for warmth, they are lovely decorations. Like wearing a necklace, but with more texture.

And a scarf is a great way to use some of the newer yarns. Bamboo and silk knit up soft and drapy, just right for a little summery color. The rayon and linen blends make nice scarves too- Seduce,Bonsai and Origami all have great colors.

There’s a lot going on here-beading, lace, and picking up stitches. Inge’s giving a class on it in April. What a nice scarf to wear to a summer party!

Jen will be doing a class with this guy

O’Bear is a simple looking little guy, just a skein of Chunky Alpaca. But there’s a lot of neat knitting going on- he’s knit flat and in the round, and has just enough seaming to give you a chance to learn mattress stitch.

Spring is a great time to learn something new!