December 31, 2011

Yarn: Cascade 220 100% wool, in Christmas Heather

Needle: 5 mm / 8 US

Gauge: 4.5 stitches and 5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Allover Cross Stitch

Source: BW1, p. 130.

Comments:  Here it is, the last official* swatch of 2011.  I did a quick count, and this makes 257 swatches, and somewhere around 6000 yards knit up!  I am very pleased that I managed to make it through the whole year without giving this up, although I'm not sure how I feel about having missed out some 99 days of swatches!  But I can assure you, I will not be continuing knitting daily swatches in 2012.  What I will do, however, is sew all of these 257 swatches into a giant blanket, a photo of which will eventually be posted on this blog.  That's where that little asterisk beside "official" comes in - I have a feeling that I may need to knit some extra 'filler' swatches to make this blanket a proper square.  At one point, I had intended to start laying it out before the end of the year, so that the last month of swatches could be specially sized to fit in those empty spaces... but I only got as far as deciding to start knitting a bunch of teeny swatches, in anticipation of the holes.  So keep an eye out - there may be a few more swatches posted on here in weeks to come!


But for now, Happy New Year and Happy Swatching!  :)

December 29, 2011

Yarn:  Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino (KPPPM) in colour P334

Needles: 3.5 mm / 4 US

Gauge: 9 stitches and 14 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Double Fabric Stitch

Source: BW1, p. 100.

Comments: I liked the look of the basic fabric stitch so much that I thought I'd try the double one too.  It makes a very dense fabric - with the right yarn, it could make some pretty fun coasters, or maybe a placemat or something.  But you'd need a pretty solid stitch to form the borders, as this one kind of pulls in and moves around quite a bit.

December 28, 2011

Yarn: Rowan Yorkshire Tweed 4-Ply, 100% wool, in Green

Needles: 3.5 mm / 4 US

Gauge: 6.5 stitches and 9 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Diagonal Weave

Source: BW1, p. 99

Comments: I like the pattern of the slipped stitches in this pattern.  The instructions say it makes a dense fabric, but I didn't really find that - maybe it has to do with the thickness of the yarn that one uses.  I could see this as a pillow, or maybe a sweater - cream colour, crew neck, 1x1 ribbing at the cuffs, waist and collar.  Hmmm... I wonder if I have enough of a suitable yarn in my stash.

December 26, 2011

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

Needles: 4 mm / 6 US

Gauge: 6 stitches and 7.5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: "Closing" Double Cable

Source: BW1, p. 112

Comments: This is one of several double cable stitches which are worked by slipping stitches rather than using the cable needle.  Apparently, if you take out the centre stitch in these panels, it becomes a Reverse Gull Stitch.

December 24, 2011

Yarn:  Berroco Lustra, 50% Wool/50% Tencel aran weight yarn in Aubergine 

Needles: 8 mm / 11 US

Gauge: 4 stitches and 7 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Fabric Stitch

Source: BW1, p. 99-100.

Comments: For this pattern, you're supposed to use "large needles".  I think 8mms might have been too large for this worsted weight yarn.  But still, you get the effect.  In a couple of places you can see where I purled the stitches instead of just slipping them.  I think I'd have to pay a lot more attention if I were using this in a real project.  (are you noticing a lack-of-attention theme here?).

November 13, 2011

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino, 100% Worsted Weight Merino Wool, in Plum Heather, and Tivoli Celtic Aran, 100% Superwash Aran Wool, in Taupe

Needle: 4.5 mm / US 7

Gauge: 5 stitches and 6-ish rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Barred Stripes

Source: BW2, p. 52.

Comments: Its hard to measure row gauge on this one, because the slipped-stitch horizontal bars technically count as rows.  I think this one could be dangerous in an overall pattern - in the top left corner, you can see the results of this swatch's run-in with an errant pin.  I can see how this could easily snag on other things as well.  I wonder how it would look felted? That would remove the problem of snagging, while maintaining that horizontal bar.  Hmm... I need more time, and more feltable yarns! :)

November 12, 2011

Yarn:  Gedifra Fashion Trend Stripe, 51% Wool/46% Acrylic worsted weight yarn in a Red, Navy, and Grey Blend.

Needle: 4 mm / US 6

Gauge: 4.5 stitches and 4.5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Double Knit Fabric

Source: BW2, p. 24.

Comments: This pattern looks like a 1x1 rib, but is actually knit by slipping every other stitch with the yarn in back. This makes a really squooshy fabric - especially in a loosely spun yarn like this one.  The swatch is teeny because this was the very last 3 grams of the yarn that I had, and I didn't want to waste it.  :)

November 10, 2011

Yarn:  Rowan RYC Cashsoft DK, 57% Wool, 33% Microfiber, 10% Cashmere, in Mirage, and  Pingouin France +, 50% Acrylic/50% Wool (DK) in Tweedy Blue

Needle: 4 mm / US 6

Gauge: 5.75 stitches and 7.5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Swiss Check

Source: BW1, p. 90.

Comments: This is such a pretty little pattern - simple to work, and with just a little bit of texture to go along with the colour changes.  You could do a lot with this kind of a pattern, depending on the colours you choose.  In the book the example is white with dark spots, similar in tone to this one.  I'd like to see how it looks with white spots on black.  This would also be a great pattern for trying out colour combinations - you could use one background colour for a few different spot-colours, and then switch out the background for something different, and go through all the colours again.  Hmm... now I have some interesting ideas for more swatches! :)

November 7, 2011

Yarn: King Cole Merino Blend DK - 100% Superwash Wool, in Wine and Slate Blue

Needles: 4 mm / 6 US

Gauge: 4.5 stitches and 5.5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Leaning Stripe Pattern

Source: BW2, p. 90.

Comments: This one is made with a mix of twisted and slipped stitches - by twisting right next to a slipped stitch, it pulls the fabric in and gives it this slant.  Compare it to the vertical stripes from a few months back and you'll see the difference it makes.  Of course those were wider stripes too, but I think you get the point.

November 2, 2011

Yarn: Elann Peruvian Baby Silk - 80% Alpaca/20% Silk, in Parchment, and  Elann Peruvian Baby Cashmere, 60% Alpaca/30% Merino/10% Cashmere 4-ply, in Peacock 

Needles: 3.75mm / US 5

Gauge: 5.75 stitches and 5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Stripe and Rib Pattern

Source: BW2, p. 44-45.

Comments: This is a fun stripe pattern that requires you to knit one row in one colour, slide the piece back to the other end of the needle, and then knit the next row with the other colour.  Kind of a fun way of knitting, although I think it might be a bit tough to do this on a large piece.  This yarn would have been better knit on a smaller needle - its 4-ply yarn, and would be better suited to a 3.25mm.

October 6, 2011

Yarn: King Cole Merino Blend DK, 100% Superwash Wool, in Slate Blue, and Elann Peruvian Highland Sport, 100% Wool in Oxford Grey Heather

Needles: 4 mm / 6 US

Gauge: 4.25 stitches and 7 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Beaded Stripe Pattern

Source: BW1, p. 71.

Comments: I think this pattern is more often knit using one pale colour and one darker one, but I decided to use two darker colours, just to see the effect.  Technically the grey yarn is a bit thinner than the blue, which makes those sections a little more see-through, but I think it works out pretty well anyway.

September 23, 2011

Yarn: Rowan Wool Cotton, DK weight 50% Cotton/50% Wool, in Citron and Moonstone
 
Needles: 4 mm / US 6

Gauge: 5.5 stitches x 7 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Dice Check 

Source: BW2, p. 51.

Comments:  This three-colour pattern only ever uses one colour at a time, so it doesn't require you to carry a yarn across the back... pretty ingenious, really!  :)

September 15, 2011

Yarn: Tivoli Celtic Aran 100% Superwash Wool in Blue

Needles: 4.5 mm / US 7

Gauge: 3.5 sts and 5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Little Herringbone

Source: BW1, p. 98

Comments: This little two-row pattern makes quite a dense fabric, which pulls wider than it does tall.  Kind of fun, but I think it would be challenging to work it into a garment.... it takes ages to knit, and the right side of the piece is a little wonky, even after blocking.  I suppose it might correct if you picked up a button band on that side, but you'd have to be careful with the stitch you chose - I'm not sure if ribbing would look good next to this pattern.

September 2, 2011

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino, 100% Worsted Weight Wool in Natural Marl, Cascade 220 100% Worsted Wool in Orange, Knit Picks Merino Style, 100% DK wool in Pine, King Cole Merino Blend DK, 100% Superwash Wool in Raspberry, and Elann Peruvian Highland Sport 100% Wool, in Oxford Grey Heather.

Needles: 4 mm / US 6

Gauge: 5 sts and 7.5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Four-Colour Blister Stitch

Source: BW2, p. 110.

Comments: I ran out of the pink after 4 rows, so I cheated and made this five-colour blister Stitch.  This is such a fun little bubbly pattern - I am so going to make it into mittens this winter - just you wait!  :)

September 1, 2011

Yarn: Tivoli Celtic Aran 100% Superwash Wool in Beige and Blue

Needles: 4.5 mm / 7 US

Gauge: 6.5 stitches and 9 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Fluted Fabric Stitch

Source: BW2, p. 23.

Comments: I like these slip-stitch colour patterns, although I think the regular fabric stitch was more effective overall.  Sorry the pic is a little blurry - I didn't notice that till just now, and I'm too lazy to go take a new photo!  :)

August 29, 2011

Yarn: Elann Peruvian Baby Cashmere, 60% Alpaca/30% Merino/10% Cashmere 4-ply, in Rose Heather and Peacock, and Elann Peruvian Baby Silk - 80% Alpaca/20% Silk, in Parchment

Needles: 3.5 mm / 5 US

Gauge: 7 stitches and 7.5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: American Beauty Tweed

Source: BW2, p. 39.

Comments: This is an itty-bitty swatch, because working tweed in 4-ply yarn is a real pain in the butt time suck.  :)  Its a pretty pattern though - I'm such a sucker for tweed, whether its in yarn form, or stitch pattern form!  By the way, I've used both of these Elann yarns for baby wear, and I have to say that I prefer the Baby Silk - its much softer than the Baby Cashmere, and seems to have less of a halo to it, despite having a higher alpaca content.  Maybe it has to do with processing? 

August 28, 2011

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino, 100% Worsted Weight Wool in Plum Heather, and Tivoli Celtic Aran 100% Superwash Wool in Beige

Needles: 4.5 mm / US 7

Gauge: 3.5 sts and 6 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Hexagon Pattern

Source: BW1, p. 67.

Comments: I'm using this beige yarn in a sweater at the moment, and since I know I'll have lots of leftovers of it, I decided to feature it in a swatch.  The hexagon shape in this pattern is made by the upward pull of the slipped stitches that divide each block.  Takes a little blocking to make the top and bottom straight, but maybe it would balance out better if you used in in a full garment...

August 27, 2011

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino, 100% Worsted Weight Wool in Old Gold, and King Cole Merino Blend DK 100% Superwash in Raspberry

Needles: 4 mm / US 6

Gauge: 5.5 sts and 9 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Colour-Seeded Pattern

Source: BW2, p. 39.

Comments: This is what happens when you choose your colours by randomly pulling something out of your stashbox, and then realize that you only need two colours instead of three, and toss one back without thinking about it (the colour I tossed was grey - it may have been a better one to hold on to!).  Anyway,  you get the idea of the stitch, even if it is a little bright (although it does look better in person - the camera is not nice to these colours).  :) 

August 21, 2011

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino, 100% Worsted Weight Merino Wool, in Plum Heather, and Patons UK Fairytale Colour 4 Me DK, 100% Wool in White


Needles: 4 mm / 6 US

Gauge: 5.75 stitches and 7 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Star Tweed

Source: BW1, p. 67.

Comments:  Last of the cheater swatches, which is probably why its so teeny!  :)  When I started working on this one, I was convinced I had knit the pattern already - it reminded me so much of the Daisy Stitch.  But the way it is worked is quite different, and when you compare them they actually look quite different too.  Personally, I think I also prefer the daisy stitch, but that may have something to do with the colours I chose to use.  :)

August 15, 2011

Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers 100% Worsted Wool in Yakima Heather and Orange Heather, and Patons Classic 100% Worsted Wool in white

Needles: 4 mm / US 6

Gauge: 6 stitches x 5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Carrousel Check (sic)

Source: BW2, p. 38.

Comments: I wonder how much different this would look in three colours that were much closer in colour and/or tone?  Its a little scary like this, but I think it could be fun in, say, several tones of grey or brown.  I love the green in this swatch - I bought it as part of a Dr. Who Scarf I made for my brother last Christmas (yes, one of those crazy 12-foot ones!), and I fell in love with this one and the Pumpkin Spice Heather.  Actually, those two together might work well in this kind of a pattern... remember how good they looked in this swatch?  Now I just have to find a 3rd colour to put in with them.  :)