May 6, 2011

Yarn: Patons Shetland Chunky, 75% Acrylic/25% Wool, in light blue

Needles: 5.5 mm / 9 US

Gauge: 3.5 stitches and 5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Cat's Eye

Source: CEoS, p. 423.

Comments: This is described as a shetland lace pattern in the Stitch description - in a finer yarn it would be good for that, but with this chunky yarn, I just don't see it.  I think part of the problem is the yarn itself - the high acrylic factor in this yarn keeps it soft, but also makes it look fuzzy and not just a little shiny!  I have to say though, once again this is old-school Patons (from about 9 or 10 years ago) and this version is much better than its current counterpart!

April 25, 2011

Yarn: King Cole Merino Blend DK, 100% Superwash Wool, in Wine.

Needles: 4 mm / 6 US

Gauge: 5.5 stitches and 7.5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Mrs. Hunter's Pattern

Source: CEoS, p. 506 (one of many).

Comments: I think I might have blocked this one too strongly - are the holes really supposed to be that big?  I saw it used in a cardigan pattern the other day - I'll have to go look it up again and compare...

April 22, 2011

Yarn: Cascade 220 100% worsted weight wool, in Orange

Needles: 4.5mm / US 7

Gauge: 4 stitches x 7 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Candle Pattern

Source: CEoS, p. 422-423

Comments:  I was wrong, orange is much harder to photograph than plain old red!  ;)  This one reminds me of the fir cone pattern, but the decreases here are on the edges, not in a line above the yarn overs.

April 8, 2011

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino, 100% Worsted Weight Merino Wool, in Grey and White

Needles: 4.5mm / US 7

Gauge: 4 stitches x 6 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Pearl-barred Scallop with added Garter ridges

Source: CEoS, p. 510, modified

Comments:  This was a test swatch for project I've been thinking about for a while - worked in a slightly thicker yarn, of course!  :)

March 29, 2011

Yarn: Unknown grey bulky yarn; I'm guessing its a wool/acrylic blend of some sort.

Needles: 6 mm /  US 10

Gauge: 3.25 stitches and 5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Arabic Cross Stitch

Source: CEoS, p. 392

Comments:  This is a pretty basic knit/purl pattern, except that in the crosses you knit all stitches through the back loop.  It makes them stand out a little more (not that you can tell from this photo!) but otherwise I'm not sure what the point is.  Weird...

January 25, 2011

Yarn: Sandes Garn Smart DK - 100% Superwash Wool

Needles: 4mm / US 6, 4.5mm / US 7, and 3.5mm / US 4

Gauge: varies from 6.5 to 4 stitches and 6 to 10 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Swedish Block/Square Pattern, with some variations.

Source: BW1, p. 19 / CEoS, p. 531

Comments:  I'm trying to recreate a texture pattern I saw in a film, and thought this would be a good starting point.  I worked two pattern repeats with 4mm needles, went up to the 4.5mms for the next two repeats, and then dropped down to the 3.5mms.  The top horizontal ridges are made using pulled up stitches - first with 4 rows of stockinette, then with 6 rows. 

January 12, 2011

Yarn: MeadowMist Farms 100% DK Wool

Needles: 4.5mm / US 7

Gauge:  the 12 stitches of the cable repeat (8 for the cable + 2 purls on either side) measure 1.75 inches across...  

Stitch Pattern: Horseshoe Cable

Source: CEoS, p. 416

Comments:  This photo is absolute rubbish! (but its the only one that shows the twist of the cable)  That's what I get for not bothering to photograph it till almost midnight, I suppose.  I'll replace it with a better one in the morning.  For now, I'm off to bed! :)


ETA: New Photo!

January 6, 2011

Yarn: KnitPicks Merino Style DK in Storm.  A very squishy 100% wool.  (Love this yarn, but they've taken away all the good colours!).

Needles: 4mm / US 6

Gauge: 18.5 stitches x 30 rows per 4 inches.

Stitch Pattern: Escalator Pattern (32 stitch repeat)

Source: CEoS, p. 453.

Techniques: Texture patterns using only knit and purl stitches.

Comments:  Now that I'm all caught up, I need to start improving my photos!  Mr. Weather Gods, please bring back the sun!  :)

January 2, 2011

Yarn: Random white DK yarn that I inherited from my Mom.  It was 'left over yarn' from when my great aunt knit my father an Aran jumper (circa the early 1980's), but then had to rip back/shorten the sleeves for him.  I use to think it was pure acrylic because its scratchy and doesn't felt well, but it sure smells like wool when its wet! :)

Needles: 4mm / US 6

Gauge: (roughly) 4.25 stitches x 10 rows / inch  (actual size: approx. 4.75 x 2.75 inches)

Stitch Pattern: Bobble Stitch

Source: CEoS, p. 406

Techniques: Creating a bobble by working multiple stitches and rows into one stitch.

Comments:  One of a series of mini swatches created for a texture study.  This one is for 'lumpy/bumpy'.