October 19, 2011

Yarn: Noro Iro, 75% Wool/25% Silk Super Bulky yarn

Needles: 6 mm / US 10

Gauge: 3.5 sts and 5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Alternating rows of stockinette and reverse stockinette stitch

Source: Inspired by this project from Ravelry.com (you may not be able to see this if you aren't on Ravelry)

Comments: The aforementioned ravelry project uses this pattern to make a great big cowl that is so big it can be wrapped around your head twice.  It looked lovely, but I'm now thinking this would look better just as a seed stitch scarf knit lengthwise.  The colour repeats should make long vertical stripes, which should be lovely in this colourway - the colours range from these blues and yellows, all the way through to dark brown and orange.  You will (maybe) note from the strands of yarn behind the swatch that this was knit in the round, since I was planning to knit the cowl in the round to save on seaming.  It also served as an example to my students of how to swatch in the round for projects that will be knit in the round.

August 22, 2011

Yarn: Dale of Norway Heilo, 100% Sport weight wool, in Goldenrod

Needles: 3.5 mm / 5 US

Gauge: 4.5 stitches and 8 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Margaret Murray's Pattern - Filler Square

Source: Knitting Counterpanes: Traditional Coverlet Patterns for Contemporary Knitters by Mary Walker Phillips, p. 65.

Comments: This book is really making me want to knit an entire counterpane (also known as a bedspread).  I'm loving these little knit from the centre squares that are used to join the larger panels together (many of the panels are hexagonal/octagonal, hence the need for the filler squares in the middles, and filler triangles for the edges).   Maybe I'll make some of the main panels next - if I make them in cotton, they'll make lovely dishcloths!

August 12, 2011

Yarn: Rowanspun 4-ply, 100% 4-ply Wool

Needles: 3.5 mm / US 5

Gauge: 5.5 stitches x 12 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: 'Swirls and Square' Patterned Square

Source: Knitting Counterpanes: Traditional Coverlet Patterns for Contemporary Knitters by Mary Walker Phillips, p. 40.

Comments: Another deliberately small pattern - this one is meant to be a joining piece for a counterpane made up of octagonal medallions.  Ms. Phillips calls it "moderatelydifficult" - I think that's because of the fiddly-ness of having to start this with 8 stitches on 4 needles! :)

April 23, 2011

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

Needles: 4.5 mm / 6 US

Gauge: 4 stitches and 7.25 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Classic Increase Block, expanded to 29 stitches

Source: KBB, p. 31.

Comments:  This one would make a very interesting blanket - if you didn't make yourself crazy in the process of making it, that is... just cast on 8 sts on 4 DPNs, and then increase at the corners every other row.  In bulky yarn, this thing could be huge, very quickly!  ;)

January 26, 2011

Yarn: Cascade 220 100% wool, in Christmas Heather 

Needles: 4.5mm / US 7

Gauge: not sure - I'll measure after its been blocked after blocking, its 4.25 st x 7 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Classic swirl

Source: Nicky Epstein's Knitting Block by Block, which Darcy very kindly lent me.  :)

Comments:  Casting eight stitches on to four dpns after two glasses of wine is not always the best combination.  I think next time I'd use the pinhole cast-on that I used the other day - its much neater, and easier to do!
PS: Red does not photograph well, especially when pinned to a yellow board!  This is one photo that I will be replacing in the morning!  Photo replaced Jan 27/11

January 20, 2011

Yarn: Berroco Vintage Worsted - 50% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 10% Nylon

Needles: 4mm / US 6

Gauge: 5.5 stitches and 8 rows per inch (or thereabouts - its a little hard to measure)

Stitch Pattern: Techniques Used: Short rows, Pinhole cast-on, and a ridge made with pulled up stitches 

Source: The Knitters Handbook, various sections.

Comments: Excuse the embellishments - without them, the swatch could've easily suggested that I was trying to knit something very rude!