Swatching Decimal

I started swatching Decimal this evening with KnitPicks Gloss and US Size 2 needles. So far, so good, although I haven't really measured the swatch yet.

I think I'm going to stick with Gloss for this sweater. I like Shine Sport, but I know it will take US Size 1 needles, and I really don't want to knit an entire sweater with such tiny needles. I have to draw the line somewhere. It just doesn't feel good with the yarn.

I'm not positive I'm going to stick with this color, "Cosmos." If I was really brave I'd use "Parsley." I think it would bring out my eyes, although I normally don't gravitate to those muted colors. It'd be a brave move to order so much yarn in that color.

Block Party

Cross posted at Sally Comes Unraveled and hot pads! and potholders - the swap.

With my bathroom sink recently cleaned, and some spare room on my bedroom floor, this evening was a good time to do some blocking. I blocked my swatches for Decimal (I tried several different KnitPicks yarns) along with the potholders.

The Decimal swatches took a nice long soak in Grapefruit Eucalan. I have all the info on the yarn and the needle sizes here.

I was concerned about the small amount of lanolin in the Eucalan, however. I don't know if it will make a difference as far as flammability. But everyone in the swap is being extra careful about the materials they use, so I just dipped the potholders in plain, lukewarm water. After a few seconds I gently squeezed out the excess and pinned them to the towel.

I imagine most people won't need to block their potholders. But after I added the edging, these got a little curly. Hopefully this will flatten them a bit.

Troubleshooting my KnitPicks Ball Winder

Ravelry has saved the day for me. Yesterday I broke out my new KnitPicks ball winder and a hank of Gloss, and I had some difficulties. Fortunately, this Ravelry thread set me straight. I thought I'd share my new knowledge for the rest of the world.


The first troubling thing was the spare part in my hand. I had the whole thing assembled, but I still didn't know what this part was for. However, the Ravelry thread pointed me to this video:


It turns out the spare part is a "handle" you can put on the bottom of the ball winder. I'd rather have it clamped to something, but considering how messy this part of my apartment is, I'll probably need it at some point.


I also, this kept happening. The yarn kept winding around the base. The problem was the position of the metal guide. (Check out where the yarn was hitting the base.)

It turns out the yarn guide moves.


Of course I'd finished winding the yarn before I figured that out.

Friday Bits and Pieces - a list

1. I'm approaching the halfway point on the Tapestry Cowl. However, it hasn't seen much action recently because...


2. I've been swatching my KnitPicks yarn for Decimal. The swatches above are, from left to right,CotLin, Merino Style and Shine Sport. I haven't broken into the Gloss yet. I don't have official measurements, but it doesn't look like I won't make gauge with the Merino Style. The CotLin may be hard to make gauge. Right now I'm using a US Size 1 with the CotLin, and it just doesn't feel good. Shine Sport seems more promising.

3. I have a new screen on my bedroom window, and there hasn't been any flies since last week.


4. After nearly eight years, I decided it was time to get the bunny some new stuff. Her water bottle has been leaking for years, and either her litter box is leaking, or she's hanging her butt over the side. So I put in an order to Bunny Bytes and it came in today. The litter box was bigger than I expected, but I think she needs it. I also got her a toy as a treat.


5. Bunny Foo-Foo is cute.

6. Tonight is my CPAP titration study, where they'll help me get fitted with my CPAP while I sleep. I'm excited because I'm looking forward to sleeping better. Still, I suspect it will be a long night.


7. Here's my parting shot - a little OPP (Other People's Projects.) This is Carrie, and apparently she is the Noro Queen. I loved her "fake isle" sweater. (Not to mention the Noro Clapotis she's holding.)

Yarn Pr0n: KnitPicks

I got my KnitPicks order on Monday. At the time I was distracted by the thing with the flies, so I'm just now getting around to posting pictures.


I was really excited when I found the note in my mailbox that I had a package. I waited in the hallway where I was hardly acknowledged. I could see the package with the KnitPicks tape on it sitting there. I contemplated just taking it. I finally got someone's attention. (The management is not known for customer service.)


Here's the big reveal...


...and all the goodies inside.


The ball winder came in a nifty box. I'm going to find a good use for this.


I'll probably put it together this weekend. I'll be winding some yarn soon.


I got color cards for all the yarns I'm considering, so I can choose the perfect color for Decimal. I was psyched because they include all the new spring colors.


I also got my first set of Harmony dpns. I can't wait to use them. I was pleasantly surprised at how heavy and hard the wood was.

(Wow. That sentence sounds bad out of context.)


Finally, here is the yarn itself. On the far left there's is a skein of Shadow in "Vineyard Heather." I got that so I can have some lace weight on hand. The rest are candidates for Decimal. From left to right, the other yarns are Gloss in "Cosmos", Cotlin in "Key Lime", Shine Sport in "Grass" and Merino Style in "Hollyberry."

I'm already swatching the Merino Style. I'll let you know how it goes.

KnitPicks as an Antidepressant

I just went outside to check the mail. And it's a beautiful day. For normal people.

But as I mentioned last year, I'm convinced that I have Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder. Today isn't bad, but I'd still prefer it cooler. And I know the miserable heat will be here soon.

So I decided I should jump on the Decimal cardigan while I'm in the mood. I think it will break me out of my knitting funk.

Unfortunately, I'm broke and I don't have sweater amounts of anything close to appropriate in my stash. So I put in an order to KnitPicks last weekend. I'm starting out by swatching different yarns. I got color cards and swatching balls of Gloss Sock Yarn, Simply Cotton Sport, Shine Sport, CotLin and Merino Style. I can knit the largest size of Decimal in any of those yarns for less than $50.

While I was at it, I ordered a skein of Shadow Lace to scratch my itch for lace, a set of Harmony DPNs and a badly needed Ball Winder. This was just enough for free shipping. (It's been more than five days now, so I'm anxiously checking the mailbox everyday.)

I consider this a medical expense. I think my mental health will benefit from it. (I wonder if my FSA will cover it.)

Knitting, knitting everywhere, but not a stitch to knit

I've been in a bit of a knitting funk since I finished the One Day Beret. I have several WIPs on Ravelry, but none quite have mojo at the moment.

I was in the hospital when the latest Knitty came out, so I don't think I ever took a good look. But now that the surprises are out, I'm dreaming about sweaters again. I'm in love with the Montera coat.

This has happened before. I haven't even bought the yarn for Morrigan, and it's been a year and a half. Also, it's been a year, I haven't gotten past the swatch for Candy. (I finally moved it to "hibernate" in Ravelry.)

But this may be it. I may finish this one. The gauge is 3.5 stitches per inch, so even though it's long, it shouldn't be too terribly slow.

In my diminished financial state, my yarn choices are limited. I'd love to use Dream in Color Groovy, but I can't afford it. I'm thinking KnitPicks Swish Bulky or Valley Yarns Colrain. I'm leaning towards Colrain because the tencel should add some strength.

I'm even considering Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky, but I'm wondering if I really want to commit to a project this big in 80% Acrylic. At least I like Wool Ease Chunky.

However you slice it, I'm going to have to wait until I start. I'm not going to order a sweater's amount of anything before I swatch.

In the meantime, I'll be looking at my WIPs. Or at least free patterns and my own stash.

Yarn Pr0n: Knit Picks, Sea Silk and More...

In the tradition of so many other knit bloggers, I am posting my latest yarn purchases. I actually have two, because I got a package yesterday, and didn't get to post before today's yarn store trip. So let's get started.

Last week I made my very first purchase from Knit Picks. I was a little worried about the 5-14 days shipping, but it only took about a week. I got my order yesterday.

I started with supplies for the Hand Dyed Yarn Swap. I got five hanks of Knit Picks Bare. From the top, there is one hank of Superwash Merino/Nylon Fingering, three hanks of Merino Fingering and one hank of Superwash Merino Worsted.

After hearing that superwash actually holds the dyes better, I wish I had bought more. But eventually I plan to try them all. I started with these because I wanted enough for myself and my swap partner, with some leftover for gifts and for Etsy.

I plan to dye it all at once, possibly this weekend. This depends on how much energy I have, and whether my neighbors decide to smoke in their dying studio on their porch. (I don't want my yarn to smell like smoke.)



The dye I bought is Jacquard Acid Dye. This is serious stuff, not Kool Aid (although I plan to do that soon.)

And the reason it's in black and white? The colors are a surprise, of course.




For a mystery project (I seem to have a lot of those recently) I bought two balls of Knit Picks Panache in "Dusk." It is a nice blend of Baby Alpaca, Silk, Cashmere and Extra Fine Merino. (Stash and Burn calls it "the kitchen sink of luxury fibers.") I'm hoping it's chunky enough for my plans. If not, I'm sure I'll put it to good use. (Expect some swatching soon.)




Finally, I got a color card for Knit Picks Shine (since I plan to eventually get all the color cards) and a copy of The Magic Loop from the book sale. I am one of a dying breed, a knitter who loves dpns. However, I still want to try magic loop, just to try it. Although I admit part of me is scared of going over to "the circular side" and losing my mad dpn skills.











Today, Hill Country Weavers had their monthly first Thursday sale. They always have creative themes. Check out this month's theme:

ARK BUILDING 101

Folks, it looks like it's time to take serious action and start STASHING YOUR ARK!

NOAH'S APPROVED LIST FOR ARK YARNS
1. FELTABLE wools (should be plenty of water and agitation on the high seas for 40 days and 40 nights)

2. "RAINWATER WASHABLES" yarns ( should work well while hanging out on the deck with the animals)

3. SEASILK ( to ease your sea sickness)

4. Noah has also approved any YARN that is 50% GREEN ( MRS.NOAH uses it to camouflage the mold)


SPECIFIC FELTABLE WOOLS ALLOWED ON BOARD
BROWN SHEEP
CASCADE
KUREYON
AURACANIA
NATURE WOOL
MANOS
ELLA RAE CLASSIC
BERROCOS ULTRA ALPACA
NASHUA CREATIVE FOCUS
NASHUA JULIA
NORDIC
RIO DE PLATO


20% off in honor of NOAH!

I think it's an homage to the unusually rainy summer we're having. I admit, I was confused by the "rainwater washables." I thought it meant hand wash only, but it turned out I was being too literal. It was machine washables.

And the green thing worked out nicely, because the Morrigan I'm planning to knit "wants" to be green. Lime green. Or maybe apple green. Well, look at the swatching yarn and check for yourself.

Clockwise from the top left: Rowan Calmer in color 485, RY Cashsoft DK in color 509 and Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in color 29.

I'm in love with this shade of Calmer, which is not on sale on eBay, but the "Refresh" also looks promising. But there is something about the green.

Anyway, I promise to keep you posted on my Morrigan yarn search.




I have another "mystery project" that needs to be green. Enter Misti Alpaca Chunky in color 652.
















And now the finale. Drum roll please.....

Not one, but two hanks of Handmaiden Sea Silk, one in Blackberry and one in Capri. I just couldn't decide. One of these will become the Lacewings Amy Singer talked about when she came to Austin.




One last note before bed: there are only 179 people in line in front of me on the Ravelry waiting list.