Think Pink

Pink Swatches Abound

What a wonderful weekend I had! We just got back from Ann Arbor about 15 minutes ago. I have so much to "show and tell," but since it's late and I'm a little tired, I'll kick off the week by introducing some swatches that came to life this weekend. Believe it or not, they are the better part of the knitting that I have to show for the weekend. I just wasn't inspired enough to work on either of the top projects I've got started.

The swatch on the top is Phil'Eponge in Camelia. It is the setup for this project. As with all other Phildar swatches that I've set out to make, this one took not one, not two, but three -- yes, three - swatching attempts. The pattern calls for 3.0 mm, which I started with. I ended up with mostly acceptable row gauge on 3.5 mm, but not until after testing out 3.25 mm needles as well. In truth, even with the 3.5 mm needles I am probably a hair short of perfect row gauge, but I think the jump to a 4.0 mm needle would overshoot in the other direction.

What have I learned from this and my other two Phildar experiences? I should just automatically swatch for all my Phildar projects on two needle sizes higher than recommended in the pattern rather than hoping against hope that I am suddenly going to knit loosely enough on the recommended needles. On the positive side, at least Phildar and I are consistent in our tensioning differences.

Phil'Eponge is an interesting yarn to work with. It's an elastic-y yarn with a little stretch to go with the cotton boucle texture. It's not the gentlist yarn on the fingers, but it's not dreadful either. The fabric will certainlly be nice against the skin, and the cotton acrylic blend of the yarn ensures that it can be warn that way since it is machine washable.

That other pink swatch (in very exotic Lion Brand Woolease) is my first attempt at a "domino" a la Vivian Hoxbro. Why the sudden interest in Domino Knitting? I'm not going to share that secret yet, but more will be revealed as the week progresses.