nonaSwatches

29 april, 2007

Another small swatch in honor of Day 2 of the final round of the KnitOff.  We're knitting this!  This swatch actually has a purpose -- I'm thinking of adding a little color in the last few rounds and needed to test the combination.

28 april, 2007

Yesterday's swatch got me thinking -- what if I replace the increase with a yarn-over?  I like it!

Yarn:	Rowan's Handknit Cottom
Needles:	US 6
Stitch:	Palm Leaves w/Holes; multiple of 6 sts + 1 Row 1 (WS): purl Row 2 (RS): *k2tog, k2, yo, k2*, repeat between *s to last stitch, k1 Row 3 (WS): purl Row 4 (RS): k1, *k2, yo, k2, k2tog*, repeat between *s to end
Source:	My noggin

27 april, 2007

Found this stitch pattern while browsing the Vogue Knitting Stitchionary.  Increase, decrease pairings produce the directional texture of this swatch.  What if the increases were yarn-overs?  Tomorrow's swatch?

Yarn:	Tahki's Cotton Classic
Needles:	US 6
Stitch:	Palm Leaves; multiple of 6 sts + 1 Row 1 (WS): purl Row 2 (RS): *k2tog, k2, inc 1, k2*, repeat between *s to last stitch, k1 Row 3 (WS): purl Row 4 (RS): k1, *k2, inc 1, k2, k2tog*, repeat between *s to end
Source:	Vogue Knitting's Stitchionary, Volume 1, page 122

26 april, 2007

I was knitting a sample of the Old Shale lace pattern -- which has a wonderful and hypnotic rhythm -- when I suddenly and inexplicably had an urge to graft.  Don't ask why, just go with it.  I knit two samples and then grafted them together using EZ's instructions from her Knitters's Almanac.  As an aside, if you don't already own the Knitter's Almanac, buy it.  It will be the best $7.95 you've ever spent and will introduce you to the first "knit blogger".

Here's EZ's take on grafting, or as she calls it "weaving"

... be doubly assured that weaving, when you have really learned to do it, and are in possession of a good large blunt weaving-needle, is more fun than needlepoint.  It is a talent to be gloried in; wait no longer to acquire it.

And there you have it, weaving is more fun than needlepoint. 

Yarn:	RY's Cashsoft DK
Needles:	US 7
Stitch:	Old Shale
Source:	Weaving instructions from EZ's Knitter's Almanac, page 46.
Techniques:	Grafting aka weaving EZ style.

25 april, 2007

Today I needed a demo swatch to teach a student how to cable without a cable needle.  This swatch has four 4-stitch cables -- the first 2 twist to the left and the last 2 twist to the right.  The cables cross every right side row for maximum demonstration opportunities.

Although in the past I've used Grumperina's approach to cabling without a cable needle, I found Wendy's approach to be slightly more intuitive to cabling newbies.  Of course you, experimental reader, must try both and select the one that best suits your style.

Yarn:	Jamieson's DK
Needles:	US 6
Stitch:	4-stitch cable; 2 left twisting and 2 right twisting.
Techniques:	Cabling without a cable needle.

24 april, 2007

I'm consistently surprised how variegated yarns work in fair-isle designs.  The contrast is reduced quite a bit, yet the complexity adds depth -- requiring careful management to get the right affect.  My favorite is the tone-on-tone variation of the burnt orange.

Yesterday's swatch was such a bust that I decided to give it the stained glass look ala Ruth and Cara -- much better, don't you think!?

Yarn:	Koigu and Rowan's 4-Ply Soft
Needles:	US 4
Stitch:	Heart Crook
Source:	Fancy Feet by Anna Zilboorg, page 58
Techniques:	Stranded Knitting, Knitting Ends In, Yarn Dominance

23 april, 2007

Don't even ask!  Just have a good chuckle and move on with your day. 

22 april, 2007

I love the colors of the Northern California landscape.  Though I'm not a native, I've lived here 22 years and have the greens, purples, and blues of the hills, trees, sky, and water ingrained in my heart.

Yarn:	Rowan's Wool Cotton & other misc yarns
Needles:	US 4
Stitch:	Garter Stitch
Techniques:	Short Rows, Log Cabin Construction, Intarsia

21 april, 2007

Another cabled swatch from Elsebeth Lavolds book, Viking Patterns For Knitting.  I thought I was knitting the "Angular Zigzag Overhand Knots" cable, but the charts -- or the photos -- are flip-flopped and I ended up with the "Zigzag Overhand Knots" cable.  Either way, it's cool.

Yarn:	Jamieson's DK
Needles:	US 6
Stitch:	Used the "Angular Zigzag Overhand Knots" chart and got the cable from the "Zigzag Overhand Knots" photo.
Source:	Viking Patterns For Knitting by Elsebeth Lavold, page 62-63

20 april, 2007

When in doubt or when it's late, turn to one of Barbara Walker's Treasuries for an interesting swatch experience.

Yarn:	Rowan's Wool Cotton (purple) & Rowan's Cotton Glace (green)
Needles:	US 4
Stitch:	Three-and-One Tweed
Source:	Barbara Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, page 53

19 april, 2007

Fourth in a series of improvisational 8-patch log cabin squares inspired by this quilt. Other variations can be seen here, here, and here.

Yarn:	Rowan's Wool Cotton & Rowan's Cotton Glace with other misc yarns
Needles:	US 4
Stitch:	Garter Stitch
Techniques:	Short Rows, Log Cabin Construction, Intarsia, Slip Stitch Edge

18 april, 2007

My recently completed Baby Bell Bottoms alerted me to the disgraceful fact that I have a tendency to row out.   Always in an experimental mood, I'm on a mission to find a solution.  It's hard to see in this picture, so you're going to have to trust me -- you do trust me don't you!?  From bottom to top:

1. Rowing Out With US 5 Needles -- my purl stitches are definitely bigger than my knit stitches causing my stockinette stitch to look stripey, a phenomenon Priscilla Gibson-Roberts calls "rowing out".  To see a better picture of rowing out, click here.

2. Purl Stitches Wrapped Clockwise --  Instead of wrapping the yarn counter-clockwise when purling, I wrapped the yarn clockwise.  This style of knitting is called "Combination Knitting" and definately solves my rowing out problem.  Since the new stitch is formed with a clockwise wrap, it must be knit (or purled) into its back loop when next encountered -- not a problem.

3. Purl Stitches Knit With Smaller Needle -- I used a US 5 for knit rows and a US 4 for purl rows.  I was a little skeptical about this suggestion, but it did indeed eliminate the rowing out.

4. Rowing Out With US 7 Needles -- I thought perhaps the rowing out was caused from knitting this yarn at a tighter gauge then recommened, so I tried using US 7 needles instead of the US 5s.  No change, still rowing out.

My conclusions?  I think I may try Combination Knitting for awhile and see what's what.  Of course, I'll keep you posted.

17 april, 2007

Because, really, one can never have too much Entrelac.  Have you Entrelaced recently?  No?  Perhaps you should.  Instructions for this swatch can be found in Eunny Jang's article, "Entrelac; Knitting Block by Block" in the Spring 2007 issue of Interweave Knits.

Yarn:	Rowan's Damask and Bamboo Tape.    I particularly like the Bamboo Tape yarn.  For other swatches featuring this yarn see here and here.
Needles:	US 6
Stitch:	Entrelac
Source:	"Entrelac; Knitting Block by Block" by Eunny Jang in the Spring 2007 issue of Interweave Knits, page 22.

16 april, 2007

Look closely my friend, it's there.  Another mini-swatch for another KnitOff day.  I'm in the throws of the semi-final round...

15 april, 2007

A variation on the diamond lace.  I'd love to give you more details, but I must get back to my KnitOff knitting...

Yarn:	Terilyn Needleart's Zephyr Wool-Silk; 50% Merino Wool, 50% Tussah Silk
Needles:	US 4
Stitch:	An Alternative Diamond Lace Pattern
Source:	Jane Sowerby's Victorian Lace Today, page 154, Chart A.

14 april, 2007

USC on Thursday & Bucknell today -- Ray for the orange and the blue! Which will he choose?  Big or Little?  West coast or east coast?  City or country?

nona-hubby and I both went to Bucknell -- any other alumni out there?

Yarn:	Rowan's Wool Cotton & other misc yarns
Needles:	US 4
Stitch:	Garter Stitch
Techniques:	Short Rows, Log Cabin Construction, Intarsia

13 april, 2007

Simple diamond lace pattern demonstrating paired increases & decreases, directional decreases, double decreases, and motif repeats. 

On the first row repeat of the diamonds I experimented a bit with double decrease variations.  The 9th row of this pattern (top of the diamond) includes a double decrease flanked on each side by a yarn-over -- 2 yarn-overs + 1 double decrease = balanced stitch count.  In the 1st and 3rd diamonds I slipped 2 stitches together as if to knit, knit 1, and passed both slipped stitches over.  In the 2nd diamond I slipped 1 stitch, k2tog, and passed the slipped stitch over.  I used the 2nd variation in all diamonds on subsequent row repeats.

Yarn:	Terilyn Needleart's Zephyr Wool-Silk; 50% Merino Wool, 50% Tussah Silk
Needles:	US 4
Stitch:	Diamond Lace Pattern
Source:	Jane Sowerby's Victorian Lace Today, page 21, Chart A.

12 april, 2007

Spent the day visiting USC with nona-son-the-younger.  Fight On!

Yarn:	Crystal Palace's Cotton Chenille & Lana Grossa's Baby Alpaca.
Needles:	US 5
Stitch:	Garter Stitch
Techniques:	Log Cabin Construction

11 april, 2007

Another demo swatch for my lace class.  This swatch illustrates how to use Yarn-Overs and directional decreases to get diagonal lines.  For the best diagonal line:

• The decrease must fall under the yarn-over.  For a right diagonal the decrease comes before the yarn-over.  For a left diagonal the decrease comes after the yarn-over.
• The decrease must slant in the same direction as the diagonal.  For a right diagonal use a right slanting decrease -- k2tog.  For a left diagonal use a left slanting decrease -- skp.

This swatch is divided into 3 sections.  From right to left:

1. Correct diagonals; a right diagonal followed by a left diagonal.  The decreases fall under the yarn-overs and slant in the same direction as the diagonal line.
2. Incorrect diagonals -- although the decreases still fall under the yarn-overs, they slant in the opposite direction of the diagonal line.
3. Incorrect diagonals -- although the decreases slant in the same direction as the diagonal lines they are placed above the yarn-overs.

Wouldn't you agree that there is a huge difference and the correctly knit diagonal lines look far superior.   Look for this design feature in your favorite lace pattern, it might make some designs more intuitive for you.

Yarn:	Cascade's Magnum; 100% wool
Needles:	US 15
Stitch:	Right and Left slanting diagonal lines created using yarn-overs and directional decreases.
Source:	Beginning Lace Class by Sharon Winsauer, page 8
Techniques:	YO; k2tog (right slanting decrease); skp (left slanting decrease);

10 april, 2007

This swatch is in preparation for a lace class I begin teaching next week.   The class is based on the Beginning Lace Class written by Sharon Winsauer of Aurora Alpacas and features a lace sampler scarf.  The first motif in the scarf is Cats Paw demonstrated in this swatch.  Cats Paw is an excellent example of several basic lace principles:

• Each Yarn-Over (a decorative increase) is paired with a decrease
• The directional properties of the decreases (left-slanting, right-slanting, and center) are used as design features.

The super chunky yarn will hopefully make the features of this lace pattern clearly visible to my victims -- I mean students.

Yarn:	Cascade's Magnum; 100% wool
Needles:	US 15
Stitch:	Cats Paw
Source:	Beginning Lace Class by Sharon Winsauer
Techniques:	YO; k2tog (right slanting decrease); skp (left slanting decrease); sl2 tog, k1, psso (center decrease)

9 april, 2007

As soon as nona-niece-the-youngest's blanket is finished -- and it's close, just one more border -- I'm going to knit her a quick pair of Baby Bell Bottoms.   What better yarn than Rowan's Calmer in denim blue?   Every styling girl needs a little denim!

Added 17 april, 2007:  My finished Baby Bell Bottoms can be found here.

Yarn:	Rowan's Calmer; 75% cotton, 25% microfiber; color #476
Needles:	US 5
Gauge:	22 stitches = 3.75 inches
Stitch:	Stockinette Stitch with Garter Stitch edges

8 april, 2007

This swatch is full of mistakes -- dropped stitches, missed stitches, ribbing boo-boos -- and is one of several for tomorrow's Knitting 911 class I'm teaching.  Remember, never fear your knitting.

Yarn:	Cascade 220
Needles:	US 7
Stitch:	2x2 Ribbing, Stockinette Stitch
Techniques:	Dropped stitches, missed stitches, ribbing mistakes

7 april, 2007

Needed a quick knit after spending the day and evening having fun with the extended nona-family.

Yarn:	Claudia Hand Painted Yarns in color way John B.
Needles:	US 4
Stitch:	Lace Rib
Source:	Barbara Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, page 48

6 april, 2007

My sister and niece are hanging out at my dining table crocheting scarfs.  In the spirit of project envy I crocheted a swatch in the same pattern.

Yarn:	Koigu
Hook:	F

5 april, 2007

Third in a series of 8-patch log cabin squares.  Other variations here and here.

Yarn:	Rowan's Wool Cotton & Rowan's Cotton Glace with other misc yarns
Needles:	US 4
Stitch:	Garter Stitch
Techniques:	Short Rows, Log Cabin Construction, Intarsia, Slip Stitch Edge

4 april, 2007

Cabled version of "Interlace Twisted Rings" found on a harness plate in Stravanger, Norway designed by Elsebeth Lavold in her seminal book, Viking Patterns For Knitting.  In this book, Elsebeth translated the designs found on ancient Nordic relics into knitting cables.  She also developed new techniques for starting and stopping cables.  Although first published in 1998 this book was not translated into English until 2000 -- thank goodness!

Yarn:	Jamieson's DK
Needles:	US 6
Gauge:	20 stitches = 2.75 inches over cable
Stitch:	"Interlaced Twisted Rings" cable
Source:	Viking Patterns For Knitting by Elsebeth Lavold, page 22

3 april, 2007

Feeling Springy!  I really enjoy crocheting based on crochet block diagrams instead of written instructions.  Not only is it visual, but it's like solving a puzzle.

Yarn:	Tahki's Cotton Classic
Hook:	F
Stitch:	First 5 rounds of the "Willow Block"
Source:	Used the 1st 5 rounds of the block diagram for the "Larger Than Life Bag" designed by Cecily Keim for Spring 2007 Interweave Crochet, page 78.  Cecily's design is based on the "Willow Block" from 200 crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws, and Afghans by Jan Eaton.

2 april, 2007

First and foremost, today's swatch is all about the yarn.  I've had a beautiful skein of Sea Silk in my stash for a couple of months and could no longer resist its temptation.  I also wanted to do a little more stitch morphing ala 13 March and continue with this swatch where I left off with that one.  Details on the 3 stitch patterns can be found below.  Click here for a detail photo.

Yarn:	Hand Maiden's Sea Silk; 70% silk, 30% seacell
Needles:	US 4
Gauge:	TBD -- right now I'm too lazy and it's getting late...
Stitch:	Bottom; Elongated Vine Stitch Multiple of 3 plus 4 Row 1: k2, *yo, k3, pass the 3rd stitch on the right needle up and over the other 2* repeat between *s to last 2 stitches, k2 Middle;  Add a purl row.  Since we're now only YOing on the right side and the the YO always comes first, the fabric biases to the right. Multiple of 3 plus 4 Row 1: k2, *yo, k3, pass the 3rd stitch on the right needle up and over the other 2* repeat between *s to last 2 stitches, k2 Row 2: purl Top;  Keep the purl row, but also alternate whether the YO comes first or second. Multiple of 3 plus 4 Row 1: k2, *yo, k3, pass the 3rd stitch on the right needle up and over the other 2* repeat between *s to last 2 stitches, k2 Row 2: purl Row 3: k2, *k3, pass the 3rd stitch on the right needle up and over the other 2, yo* repeat between *s to last 2 stitches, k2 Row 4: purl
Source:	Me, just fooling around with a bit of lovely Sea Silk

1 april, 2007

 

Sadly, my friends, today is the day.

Pssssst, you do know what today is don't you?