January 9, 2011

Yarn: Elann Peruvian Baby Silk - 80% Alpaca/20% Silk, in Cedar

Needles: 3.25mm / US 3

Gauge: 7 stitches x 9 rows

Stitch Pattern: Diamond and lozenge pattern

Source: VKB, page 124

Comments: its amazing what you can do with just knit and purl stitches....

January 8, 2011

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Stella - 60% Silk/20% Cotton/20% Rayon, in teal

Needles: 5mm / US 8

Gauge: 4 stitches x 6 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Mock cable embossed stitch

Source: VKB, page 127

Comments:  In the photo, the cable effect of these knit and purl stitches really stands out... its not quite as clear in real life.

January 7, 2011

Yarn: Cascade 220 100% wool, in beige

Needles: 4.5mm / US 7

Gauge: 4 stitches x 4.25 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Textured herringbone pattern with a 4-stitch garter/2 stitch stockinette border

Source: Improvised, based on a pic of woven herringbone fabric

Comments:  I've always loved herringbone fabrics, so I thought I'd try to replicate it using only knit and purl stitches.  I like it - it would make a good panel for a blanket, I think...

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 5, 2011

Yarn: Rowan Pure Wool DK in Navy, and miscellaneous textured yarns.

Needles: 4mm / US 6

Gauge: variable, but roughly 4.5 stitches x 6-7 rows per inch.

Stitch Pattern: Stockinette / reverse stockinette stitch.

Source: Knitting Design Online hand-knitting course, level 3.

Techniques: Exploring the use of textured yarns in knitting.

Comments:  Gratuitous use of potentially tacky yarns! :)  I like this swatch, but I don't think I'll be buying many of those cream yarns any time soon.

January 4, 2011

Two today, because the first one is so teeny!  :)

Swatch A

Yarn: The same random white DK yarn.

Needles: 4mm / US 6

Gauge: 4.5 stitches per inch; the 11 rows that make up these two ridges measure about 3/4".

Stitch Pattern: Stockinette Pin Tucks.  The ridges stick up about 1/4".

Source: I've seen several ways of doing this, in projects ranging from booties to garments.  I used the method found in this pattern from Garn Studio.

Techniques: Using pin tucks to add texture to knitting.

Comments:  More texture studies - this one is for "ridged".  (Actual size = 3.25 x 1.75 inches)

Swatch B

Yarn: All hail the random white yarn!  :)

Needles: 4mm / US 6

Gauge: approximately 5.25 stitches x 5 rows per inch. (slightly inaccurate I'm sure, given that its such a small swatch).

Stitch Pattern: Picot edging used mid-stockinette stitch: on the right side of the work, knit to the selected stitch, cast-on 5 stitches, cast-off 6, and then knit to where you want the next one (mine are spaced 3 stitches apart, and staggered on each row). 

Source: I improvised this, but I'm sure there are better instructions somewhere out there.  Its based on the picot cast-off technique.

Techniques: Texture is your friend! :)  Picot cast-off.

Comments:  This one is "spiky".  Can't you tell?  :)  (Actual size = 4.25 x 1.75 inches)

January 3, 2011

Yarn: Random white DK yarn from yesterday.

Needles: 4mm / US 6

Gauge: 4.125 stitches x 2.5 rows per inch in loop stitch

Stitch Pattern: Loop Stitch 

Source: There are many ways to do this; I followed this method.

Techniques: creating 3-D loops

Comments:  This mini swatch represents "loopy".  (Actual size = 4 x 2 inches)

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'.

January 1, 2011

Starting the year out simply.

Yarn: 2-ply 100% Wool from MeadowMist Farm on Mayne Island, BC.  Knits up as a DK yarn.

Needles: 4mm / US 6

Gauge: 18.5 stitches and 27.5 rows per 4 inches

Stitch Pattern: Stockinette Stitch

Source: N/A

Techniques: N/A

Comments:  Knit as part of a tension study for my Knitting Design Online course - which explains the very precise gauge measurement.