nonaSwatches

31 january, 2007

Yippee!  I knit a swatch with two cable mistakes, so tomorrow I get to experiment with this.

Yarn:	Cascade 220 in the pink of all pinks
Needles:	US 8
Stitch Pattern:	Two 3x3 cables.  The one on the right twists to the right and the one on the left twists to the left.  Can you see the error in each cable?  Tomorrow that error will -- hopefully -- be fixed.
Techniques:	Cabling without a cable needle using the technique I learned from Grumperina.

1 month down and 11 months to go...

30 january, 2007

Move your mouse over the photo to see
the other side of this swatch.

This afternoon I popped into my local coffee shop to buy some beans and treat myself to a mocha.  While there I was lucky enough to spot a knitter working on this double knit scarf.  Color work and double knitting!?  Had to try them.

Yarn:	Jamieson's Shetland DK in two shades of orange
Needles:	US 6
Stitch:	Stockinette Stitch with double knitting
Source:	Crafty Chick Knits' Knit Star Scarf
Techniques:	Double knitting with two colors.

29 january, 2007

Hold your horses, hold you horses!  Before telling me that this is a sock and not a swatch let me remind you of the definition of a swatch.  The 2nd definition of swatch in the dictionary is, "a representative portion; a sample".  So, today's swatch is a representative portion, a sample of a sock.  One that highlights the different parts of a sock -- the ribbing, leg, heel flap, heel turn, gusset, foot, and toe -- and one that I'll use when I teach tonight's sock class. 

Yarn:	Jo Sharp's DK wool in various colors
Needles:	US 5
Stitch:	1x1 ribbing and stockinette stitch
Techniques:	Knitting in the round; basic top down sock with basic heel and toe.

28 january, 2007

Inspiration:	I loved the color combination from yesterday's swatch and was not ready to relegate the yarn to my stash bin.   Why not a little exploration of short row shapes and lines.
Yarn:	Jamieson's DK
Needles:	US 6
Stitch:	Garter Stitch
Techniques:	Short Rows

27 january, 2007

Inspiration:	Another take on the "String of Purls" stitch pattern from Barbara Walker's A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns.  This variations features garter stitch with asymmetrical "purl strings".  The swatch is then turned 90 degrees for vertical viewing.  I can envision a pillow.  How about you?
Yarn:	Jamieson's DK
Needles:	US 6
Stitch:	String of Purls with modifications: garter stitch, asymmetrical, multi-colors
Source:	A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns, page 91

26 january, 2007

Inspiration:	We knit for a lot of reasons.  Sometimes it's just to sit back, relax, and enjoy.
Yarn:	Muench's Touch Me
Needles:	US 8
Gauge:	16 stitches = something or other
Stitch:	Garter Stitch

25 january, 2007

Inspiration:	I want to knit a baby hat using yesterday's stitch pattern.  I needed to determine gauge and to convert the "String of Purls" stitch pattern for circular knitting.  Hence, today's swatch.  Converting the pattern was a bit of a stickler, but in the end I found something that worked.  Thank goodness for swatches!  BTW: check out who else is having fun with a variation on this design...
Yarn:	Color A: Rowan's 4 Ply Wool in dusty plum.  Color B: Koigu in a green brown mix.
Needles:	US 1
Gauge:	8 stitches = 1 inch
Stitch:	String of Purls; Multiple of 12 stitches; 2 colors
Source:	A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns, page 91; converted for circular knitting.

Added 01/31/07:  Click here to see the baby hat I knit using the String of Purls stitch pattern.

24 january, 2007

Inspiration:	A wonderful find from Barbara Walker's A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns.  Quick, staccato turns are used to create the circles.  I love this pattern and can envision several uses for it.  Viewed horizontally it's cute and whimsical, perfect for a child's hat.  Viewed vertically it's dynamic and hip, perfect for a throw pillow in an Eichler and vaguely reminiscent of Angela Adams.
Yarn:	Color A: Rowan's 4 Ply Wool in dark brown.  Color B: Koigu in a gold mix
Needles:	US 4
Gauge:	36 stitches = 5.25 inches
Stitch:	String of Purls; Multiple of 12 stitches; 2 colors
Source:	A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns, page 91

23 january, 2007

Inspiration:	Following the same construction principles as a knit log cabin square, I crocheted this version using single crochet.  I'm experimenting to see if crochet is more "improvisational" than knitting.
Yarn:	Rowan's Cotton Glace and Rowan's Wool Cotton
Needles:	F crochet hook
Stitch:	Single crochet
Techniques:	Log Cabin Construction

22 january, 2007

Inspiration:	Today I was in the mood to play with the square in square motif and ended up with not 1, but 3 swatches.  I do love log cabin knitting!  I'm thinking about combining these swatches into a vertical strip.
Yarn:	Rowan's Cotton Glace, Rowan's Wool Cotton, and a few other random things from my stash.
Needles:	US 4
Stitch:	Garter Stitch
Techniques:	Short Rows, Log Cabin Knitting

21 january, 2007

Inspiration:	In continuation with the theme of the 3 yarn stripe -- 17 January and 18 January -- this swatch uses 3 yarns of the same color, but different textures knit in seed stitch.  Although the overall fabric is pretty, I prefer more contrast between the yarns.
Yarn:	Various unknown yarns from my stash
Needles:	US 8
Gauge:	22 stitches = 6 inches
Stitch:	Seed Stitch
Technique:	Simple stripe; 3 yarns, 1 row each.

20 january, 2007

Inspiration:	A knitting book is a favorite bedtime read.  Last night I was browsing the "Round-The-Bend Jacket" chapter in Handknitting with Meg Swansen when the phrase, "turn a corner in garter-stitch", caught my attention.  Informative Meg even included directions for a turn the corner swatch featuring several variations.  Of course, I tried!
Yarn:	Tahki's Cotton Classic
Needles:	US 6
Num Sts:	20 stitches
Stitch:	Garter Stitch
Source:	Handknitting with Meg Swansen; page 74
Technique:	Turning the corner in garter stitch.  When you turn a corner, you change the direction of your garter stitch by 90 degrees.

19 january, 2007

Inspiration:	While working at my LYS today, I spent some time browsing through Vogue Knitting Stitchionary and found this "Woven Herringbone" stitch pattern.  This simple patttern makes a lovely fabric.  How would you use it?
Yarn:	Unknown, but feels like Karabella's Aurora 8.
Needles:	US 8
Gauge:	22 stitches = 3.75 inches
Stitch:	Woven Herringbone; multiple of 3 + 1 Row 1 (RS): k1, *yo, sl1, k2, psso*, repeat between ** to end Row 2 (WS): p1, *yo, sl1, p2, psso* repeat between ** to end Currious about the psso?  It stands for pass the slipped stitch over.  You'll be passing it over the 2 knit or the 2 purl stitches.
Source:	Vogue Knitting Stitchionary; page 38.

18 january, 2007

Inspiration:	I was curious to see how the 3 yarn stripe from yesterday would work as the background for a fair isle.  I like the seeming complexity that this simple technique produces.
Yarn:	Rowan's Cotton Glace, Rowan's Wool Cotton, Garns Studio's Silk Tweed
Needles:	US 4
Stitch:	Combination of garter stitch and stockinette stitch.
Source:	Fair Isle design is #33 "Crazy Curl" from Fancy Feet by Anna Zilboorg.
Techniques:	Simple stripe; 3 yarns, 1 row each.  Color stranding ; pinks were the dominant yarns.

17 january, 2007

Inspiration:	I love the 3 yarn stripe.  Take any 3 yarns and alternate 1 row of each.  Here I've selected 3 varying shades and textures of pink.  The resulting fabric reads more textured than stripey.  What if I selected yarns with more contrast, hmmm....
Yarn:	Rowan's Cotton Glace, Rowan's Wool Cotton, Garns Studio's Silk Tweed
Needles:	US 4
Stitch:	Combination of garter stitch and stockinette stitch.
Techniques:	Simple stripe; 3 yarns, 1 row each.

16 january, 2007

Inspiration:	Another utilitarian swatch.  This one for a Hanne Falkenberg Mermaid Jacket.  My LYS is hosting an in shop Hanne Knit Along and tomorrow night is our first meeting.  I needed to go up 2 needle sizes to get gauge.  The small horizontal bands of stockinette stitch separate the 3 needles sizes I used in this swatch.
Yarn:	2 ply Shetland wool from Falkenberg Design
Needles:	US 3, 4, & 5.  US 5 ended up giving me the proper gauge
Gauge:	25 stitches and 50 rows in 4 inches
Stitch:	Garter Stitch

15 january, 2007

Inspiration:	The pure joy of log cabin knitting mixed with short rows -- what more can a girl want!?
Yarn:	Koigu, Rowan's Cotton Glace, 4-ply Wool, and Wool Cotton.  Really just a mix match of yarn from my stash.
Needles:	US 4
Stitch:	Garter Stitch
Techniques:	Short Rows, Log Cabin Knitting

14 january, 2007

Inspiration:	The improvisation of the Gee's Bend Quilters and Anna Hannan's January 12th collage.
Yarn:	Rowan's Cotton Glace; 2 greens, a blue, and the always popular chocolate brown.
Needles:	US 4
Stitch:	Garter Stitch
Techniques:	Short Rows, Log Cabin style pickup for edging.

13 january, 2007

Move your mouse over the swatch to see
the other side of this reversible cable.

Inspiration:	Last night, in between dishing up cheese product for nachos at the snack bar and cheering for the team in the bleachers, I saw a cool scarf expertly knit by a friend of mine.  The scarf -- Here and There Cables designed by Norah Gaughan and featured in Scarf Style -- features a reversible cable.  How could I resist?!
Yarn:	Malabrigo in cognac; kettle dyed merino wool.  Soft and beautiful!
Needles:	US 8
Stitch:	Reversible cable; multiple of 18 stitches plus 2
Source:	Here and There Cables designed by Norah Gaughan; Scarf Style, page 15

12 january, 2007

Inspiration:	I was poking through Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns and instantly liked this combination of cables and lace.  This is the stitch pattern for me and my knee-high socks.
Yarn:	Blue Moon's Socks that Rock; Downpour.
Needles:	US 1
Gauge:	TBD, it's late!
Stitch:	Lace Cable
Source:	A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, page 275

11 january, 2007

Inspiration:	Today I had two thoughts in my head.  First, that I wanted to knit a pair of socks using Blue Moon's Socks that Rock yarn.  And second, that I wanted to knit a pair of knee-highs.  In pursuit of these thoughts, I knit a circular swatch to determine my gauge and to fool around with some potential stitch patterns.
Yarn:	Blue Moon's Socks that Rock; downpour.  Downpour is a kooky name, but it fits the color way.
Needles:	US 1
Gauge:	8 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch
Stitch:	Stockinette stitch, followed by  Puff Rib, followed by k1, p2  ribbing (twisting the knit stitch). Puff Rib; knit in the round; multiple of 3 stitches Round 1: *yo, k1, yo, p2*, repeat between ** Round 2: *k3, p2*, repeat Round 3: *k3, p2*, repeat Round 4: *k3tog, p2*, repeat
Source:	Puff Rib is from Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, page 47

10 january, 2007

Inspiration:	There is nothing I enjoy more than the log cabin -- improvisational style -- and several balls of Koigu
Yarn:	Koigu; 3 colors
Needles:	US 4
Stitch:	Garter Stitch
Techniques:	Log Cabin construction, intarsia

09 january, 2007

Inspiration:	Still on a circle jag, I wanted to create an almost tessellating pattern with the circles.
Yarn:	A variety including Rowan's Wool Cotton, Rowan's Cotton Glace, plus other unknowns from my stash
Needles:	US 4
Gauge:	36 stitches = 5.25 inches
Stitch:	Stockinette stitch with garter edges, 2 color stranded fair isle.
Source:	Color chart is mine own based on one of the circles from yesterday's swatch
Techniques:	2 color stranded fair isle.

08 january, 2007

Inspiration:	I liked yesterday's swatch so much it inspired me to learn more about circles.  Here are 4 different circle variations.  I think the first and third rows (bottom up) are the most circley.
Yarn:	Rowan's Felted Tweed
Needles:	US 5
Gauge:	31 stitches = 5 inches
Stitch:	Stockinette stitch with garter edges, 2 color stranded fair isle.
Source:	I created the charts for each of the 4 types of circles.
Techniques:	2 color stranded fair isle.  The dark yarn is the dominant yarn.  For more on yarn dominance, click here.

07 january, 2007

Inspiration:	Yesterday's swatch was a bust.  Without enough contrast the fair isle design was wimpy, at best.  Today I rework the same pattern using colors that provided a sharper contrast.  Much better.
Yarn:	Rowan's Felted Tweed
Needles:	US 5
Gauge:	33 stitches = 5 inches
Stitch:	Stockinette stitch, 2 color stranded fair isle.
Source:	The fair isle design was knit from this chart originally for the Center Squares hat.
Techniques:	2 color stranded fair isle.  The green yarn is the dominant yarn.  For more on yarn dominance, click here.

06 january, 2007

Inspiration:	Returning to the multi-colored yarn & mohair pairings used in my 03 January swatch, I was curious to see how the same pairings would work in a fair isle design.  In this swatch the same multi-color yarn is used throughout, but is paired with a different color mohair -- brown, red, or beige -- to achieve the color variation.  The tweediness and subtle color contrast I liked in the 03 January swatch totally bugs me here.  There is not enough contrast to effectively highlight the fair isle design.  Lesson learned:  for a crisp, graphic design you need a crisp, clear constrast between the colors.  I think tomorrow I'll knit this same fair isle design, but with different yarns.
Yarn:	Crystal Palace Waikiki (viscose & cotton) in color #436 (chocolate-almond) held together with 1 strand of Madil Kid Seta in one of 3 colors: dark brown, beige, and red
Needles:	US 7
Gauge:	27 stitches = 5 inches
Stitch:	Stockinette stitch, 2 color stranded fair isle design.
Source:	The fair isle pattern used this chart from the Center Squares hat.
Techniques:	2 color stranded fair isle, combining yarns.

O5 january, 2007

Inspiration:	Today was a day too busy for inspiration, hence I fell back on the reliable 365 Knitting Stitches a Year Perpetual Calendar to come up with today's swatch.  The "Lacy Rib" stitch has a dynamic -- yes, dynamic -- 3 dimensional quality.  I'd love to use it for the leg of a sock or a decorative pillow -- cannot you see a fun fabric peeking though the YO holes?
Yarn:	Karabella's Aurora 8 in green.  Leftover yarn from my 2006 Olympic sweater.
Needles:	US 8
Gauge:	22 stitches = 4.75 inches
Stitch:	Lacy Rib; multiple of 3 + 1 Row 1 (RS): k1, *k2tog, YO, p1*, repeat between ** to last 3 stitches, k2tog, YO, k1 Row 2 & 4: p3, *k1, p2* repeat between ** to last stitch, p1 Row 3: k1, YO, skp, *p1, YO, skp*, repeat between ** to last stitch, k1 Forgot what skp means?  Slip 1 as if to knit, k1, pass the slipped stitch up and over the knit stitch.  A left slanting decrease.  Click here for more information on left slanting decreases.
Source:	The "Lacy Rib" stitch from the 365 Knitting Stitches a Year Perpetual Calendar; January 5th.

04 january, 2007

Inspiration:	Purely utilitarian, seeing that I'm jazzed to start a new project and need to check my gauge.
Yarn:	Lana Grossa's Royal Tweed; 100% merino wool; color #17.  This yarn knits up soft and drapey.
Needles:	US 10
Gauge:	14 stitches = 4 inches
Stitch:	Stockinette stitch with garter stitch edging.

03 january, 2007

Inspiration:	I was surprised by the strong effect the thin mohair had on the color of yesterday's swatch.   So today I paired a multi-colored yarn with 3 colors of mohair; a brown, a beige, and a red.  I love how the multi-colored yarn creates a tweedy affect and unifies the 3 mohair colors.  Even though the multi-colored yarn is the thicker yarn, the mohair controls the final color.  Fascinating -- at least to nona.
Yarn:	Crystal Palace Waikiki (viscose & cotton) in color #436 (chocolate-almond) held together with 1 strand of Madil Kid Seta in one of 3 colors: dark brown, beige, and red
Needles:	US 7
Gauge:	22 stitches x 32 rows = 4.5 inches x 5 inches
Stitch:	Stockinette stitch with a few garter ridges thrown in for interest

02 january, 2007

Inspiration:	How fun is cabling without a cable needle!  In addition to practicing this new found technique, I wanted to tone down a multi-colored yarn using a thin mohair.
Yarn:	Koigu in a brown and turquoise mix held together with Rowan Kid Silk Haze in brown.
Needles:	US 5
Gauge:	28 stitches x 29 rows = 3.5 inches x 4 inches
Stitch Pattern:	Center 8 stitch honeycomb cable flanked on either side by 4 stitch waving cables.
Source:	These standard cables can be found in many stitch dictionaries.  I used Alice Starmore's Aran Knitting; page 56; charts C & D
Techniques:	Cabling without a cable needle.  I used the variation described in Grumperina's excellent tutorial found here.

01 january, 2007

Inspiration:	I love the Shifting Sands Scarf that Grumperina and others have knit.  I doubt I'll knit one for myself, but I wanted to experience the shifting of the sands for myself.  As an added bonus, I learned to cable without a cable needle.
Yarn:	Rowan Kid Classic color # 847
Needles:	US 8
Gauge:	22 stitches x 24 rows = 4 inches x 4 inches
Stitch Pattern:	Shifting Sands; multiple of 5 stitches plus 2
Source:	Grumperina, an original design for her Shifting Sands Scarf
Techniques:	Cabling without a cable needle.  I found 2 excellent tutorials, which approach cabling without a cable needle in 2 subtly different ways.  I used Grumperina's version for this swatch and will experiment with Wendy's version in the future.