A Short Swatching Interlude
I know, not terribly interesting as blog subjects go, but I love the denimy color of the medium indigo heather Peruvian Highland Wool that I bought to make my single color ChicKnits Ribby Cardie.
The goal with this sweater was to pick a color that I love and know I would wear and pair the color with a sweater design that I also love and would wear. My hope is that, when combining these two, I will get something that I will both love and wear -- and can wear for every day.
This swatch does present something of a mystery for me. I'm definitely getting 6 rows to the inch, and somewhere between 9 to 9.5 stitches/two inches (it's supposed to be 4.75 stitches/inch) but 19 stiches comes closer to 4.5 inches wide. Yes, I know all my measurements can't quite be right. But I measured each dimension several times and I get the same strange results. So the only thing I can conclude is that Claudia is right: swatches lie.
I think it is also a sign of a strange phenomenon in my life right now: I'm becoming a looser knitter. I actually have to think about knitting more tightly. In this case, since my row gauge appears to be good, and the fabric density feels right, so I'm going to go with what I've got and try to knit just a little tighter. I've got enough yarn to do one size larger than I was planning on doing, and it is a ribbed sweater, so even if it's a little bigger than planned width wise, it should still be fine.
Hi Theresa! What a pretty yarn you have chosen...I am wondering if you might elucidate a yarn quandry for me: on the scarf you are making, with the zig-zag pattern, if you still have any left, can you measure the distance between dye changes? (If this sounds weird, I sort of explain why I am interested in my blog - I also have a scarf that is zig-zagging...)
Rather than trying to knit tighter, just go down a needle size (or two). Much more relaxing!
Your posts are never, ever boring. I look forward to new ones and sometimes re-read the older ones. Your designs and execution are wonderfully written about and pictured. Thank you for posting frequently.
My swatches always lie to me too! I've become a looser knitter since I started knitting like mad so I always swatch with a smaller needle size than what's called for on the pattern.
Yesterday, for the first time, I swatched and found I had to go down a needle size, instead of staying with needle size or going up. I've heard that more experienced knitters tend to knit looser, and even though I know that generalizations are just that, it does make me proud. Of course, it could have something to do with trying to knit with worsted weight on size 4 needles. (And now, size 3!)
Knit a sleeve first. Its the only way.
What size are you going to do? I'm not sure myself--the measurements given are for "unstretched rib." Should one go with one's actual size and hope the ribbing will take care of the fit? I want to be able to wear mine over t-shirts and stuff, but I don't want it too baggy or all that ribbing will be wasted!
I love that indigo blue color. Can't wait to see your Ribby cardi. I do like the single color as well.