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