i have to start off by saying thanks to everyone who has inquired about the availability of the maze sweater—we’re now calling it aztec mazes—the pattern has gone out to the test knitters, who are all working away on it. anne marie came to spinning class sunday with a finished sleeve (she’s using the same gold colorway of legend that i used for mine) and barb showed up with part of a sleeve as well (barb is using lanas puras melosa fingering yarn for hers, in order to replicate my lightweight gray version). then, anne c. brought the start of hers to class on monday (shown above in briar rose legend, red/black colorway).
it’ll be a few weeks before they’re done, but once all the feedback and comments are in, we can release it for publication. i’m glad you’re excited . . .
speaking of barb’s sweater, we were both really happy this week to finally figure out a yarn that would be a good substitute for the rowan DK soft i used to knit my gray one. it was an unusual fingering yarn that was spun with wool and nylon together to create a very lightweight, slightly-fuzzy singles. barb was intent on finding a substitute but was coming up with nothing at the yarn shops. then i remembered the melosa fingering yarn i used to knit cluaranach—slightly fuzzy, super-lightweight, and a real pleasure to knit with (not to mention the wide array of kettle-dyed colors it comes in).
we compared the knitted fabrics and the yarns next to each other and agreed we’d hit upon just the right thing. this was especially exciting news for me because i’ve knit several sweaters in that discontinued yarn that i now want to write patterns for.
including this little blue lace cardi, that i actually won’t mind knitting again in a new color (i’ve really enjoyed wearing it lately). a number of people have asked me to publish it and i’ve been hedging because i knew the yarn wasn’t available. in this case, the character of the yarn is one of the main components that sets it apart.
anyway, i happen to have three skeins of the melosa fingering yarn in a color i adore in my stash, so last night i started swatching with it.
i tried it on the original needle size (right) and then on a needle one size bigger (left; because you know how one swatch is never enough for me). they’re not that much different from each other—the one on the bigger needle has a slightly-looser row gauge and bigger holes that more closely match the original fabric
more importantly, it just feels less dense. and the keyword for this sweater is light—it’s a spring sweater that feels weightless, but provides that lil’ bit of coverage you need in changing weather.
normally, when two needle sizes produce a similar gauge, i go with the smaller one for that extra bit of stability in the fabric. this pays off as the sweater is worn and the weight of the sleeves and body begins to pull on the seams. so i’m a little leery of that bigger needle size in this case. it’s so close . . . see what i mean?
however, i’m not sure this sweater requires that extra stability, strictly speaking—for several reasons. first, it’s a rib fabric, which has great stability of its own; ribs that are too rigid as an overall sweater fabric can be, well, odd, because they want to ride up and fold in funny places, like around the middle, heh (and who needs extra love handles or a fake jellyroll??). second, the sweater has lots of shaping (and soft ribbing), so the body will support most of its weight. and thirdly, it’s so light that there isn’t much weight to pull it askew.
i’m still doubting my instinct, as usual, so what i’ll probably do when it’s time to cast on is start with a sleeve and see how i feel about the first 8 or 10 inches of fabric.
in the meantime, i’m quite pleased that i found such a good yarn substitute
isn’t it perfect? and to top off all if its other great qualities, the melosa is 100% soft merino which i already know i love to knit with, whereas the rowan yarn had a 50% nylon content—not nearly as pleasant running through the hands, believe me.
this one is going right into my queue. i’d cast on for it tonight, but i promised myself i’d work out what i’m going to do with my deep blue sport yarn from knitting notions first. i’m not as far along with my design decisions on it yet but i did swatch it in the same cable pattern i’m using for those gray socks and i like that
this particular cable balances itself nicely in weight with some openwork at it center.
i’m still playing around—i’m not even sure whether i should go with a pullover or cardigan yet. i’m leaning toward a v-neck cardigan. can you tell that i think there’s something better and more perfect out there to do with this yarn?
tonight we’ll snuggle in together and look at the stitch books some more . . .
i played with the cashmere for a while, too, but i haven’t settled on anything yet for it—maybe tonight i’ll hit the jackpot with that.
after a few hours of swatching, i capped off the evening with some TV sock knitting. i’ve got a few inches re-knit on that other sock which i restarted in mackintosh skye and i have to say, it’s sooo much better
the stitches are much better defined in this denser, springier yarn. let’s look at my first attempt for a comparison
i’m not lovin’ that texture nearly as much—it seems messy and doesn’t do justice to the yarn. so the blue sock is getting scrapped while i search for a better stitch pattern more suitable for a polished, smooth yarn.
david made me another, even-shorter cable needle from a broken DPN that i rescued from debbie s. in class the other day. hahaha, now i have an upstairs cable needle and a downstairs one. woo-hoo.
one last happy announcement—remember the acorn stash socks i knit a couple of years ago for a fearless fibers sock club?
they’re not available in my shop any more because now they live in a soon-to-be-released book by charlene schurch and elizabeth parrot which is filled with socks originally designed for clubs.
congratulations to them both on their new publication!
35 thoughts on “everything in a diffferent stage”
woo-hoo! you’re going to be in a charlene schurch book!! i adore her sock books and not just because i am a sock book ho. she provides such great encouragement for sock knitters.
i like the green swatch on the bigger needles. it just looks happier.
Mmm…..lot’s of wonderful things going on here, especially that scrumptious green, but best of all…….the book! Y.A.Y!!!!!
Wow and congratulations about the book ! I love all of these yarns, projects and photographs. Love the blue sweater.
And congratulations to you! That’s such a fun pattern 🙂 I’m loving the swatching for the lacy ribbed sweater; you know I’m going to have to knit that one, right? 😉
Ooooh the silvery gray sock is really neat looking!
You know, that really is a brilliant idea for a sock book. I just added it to my Amazon wishlist!
Those acorns are adorable!
And I am loving that sweater – perfect weight for work – not only in spring, but in summer when the a/c is way too cold.
Hey, I have a pattern coming in that book, too! Now I *really* feel like I’m rubbing elbows with godliness… Maybe if I’m lucky, my page will be adjacent to yours. As if being in Charlene’s book weren’t enough!
Anne,
I read your blog faithfully-such an inspiration & validation that my knitting feeds my soul. I have been knitting since I was in second grade & am now 60. My husband & grown children say life is OK when they can hear the click of my needles. Love your patterns. Hear you’re coming to my hometown-Williamstown, MA. Keep up the wonderful work!
I’m loving that lace cardi in the smaller gauge–that is just my inclination to go with a slighter firmer fabric. At any rate, can’t wait for the pattern.
YEAH! I can’t wait for the aztec mazes! 🙂
ooh, congrats, what fun! I’m still all over that lacy cardigan if you need me. 🙂
I’m liking the larger gauge in the green though I usually opt for a tighter rather than looser gauge if given a choice.
Book = cool! Congratulations.
Love the green for the lace cardi!I think I like the swatch with the larger needles as well.
Congrats on the published pattern in the soon-to-be-released Charlene book! I just love her books, and have every one (I think) I am delighted that two of my fav designers ever have hooked up!!
And I am raising my hand and waving whilst jumping up and down to be counted as a “vote” for a v-neck-pullover.. (one of my fav sweaterstyles!!!)
I’m not really much of a “cardigan gal ; and I end up sewing all my button bands closed after I have made them, and then just pulling the sweaters on over my head like good little pullovers should be (heh heh – dumb/silly/goofy, but true).
There’s just something about the way a cardigan tends to gap on someone with my “shape” (aka curve?) – it’s just not pretty.. and it’s been true with all the various sizes/shapes/weights that I have made.
I wear ’em once or twice and then sew that puppy right up.. silly silly me.
Congrats on being part of the book! If the three of you are involved it must be one amazing piece of work.
If you ever happen to run out of broken dpns for making cable needles, you could try bamboo skewers. I break off a likely size piece and use an emery board to smooth the end into a point, then rub it with beeswax. And if I lose it…no big deal.
Can’t wait to see this new sweater and socks! Again, ooohs and aaaaahs- it is all plump and juicy…:)
I can’t wait for that sweater – it’s lovely! And if I start soon I may have a chance of finishing it for late spring 😉
I love the lacy cardigan! Spring sweater for most knitters = winter sweater for those of us in South Texas.
The process details on yarn, fabric, and design are so interesting … thanks for sharing! As a scientist, I often look forward to trying new patterns of yours with the same glee and anticipation that I have for new lab protocols (yes I’m a total geek).
Congrats on the inclusion of your pattern in the book!
I like the way the cabled pattern looks on the green swatch. Very nice! I must say you are living “large” to have a cable needle upstairs AND downstairs!!
PS – Dovecote is still whispering in my ear. Is there any word on her whereabouts??
Congrats on the new publication – I’ve flipped thru some of the pics from it, and it looks like a good one.
Since I apparently marinate stash in the same way you do, I actually HAVE that Rowan yarn, possibly even in the same colorway, so um…. I could use the pattern for it. 🙂 It’s been waiting for a purpose in life and that might just be it!
That green is lovely–I think I prefer the look of the larger needle swatch as well. Congrats on having a pattern in the new book! That Tosh sock looks really nice in that pattern-it’s a wonderful yarn to work with and I really like that color for a man’s sock (although it would be great for a woman’s too). I enjoy seeing what you come up with after an evening of swatching-very inspiring! I taught a beginning knitting class last night–7 new knitters by the time it ended!
Oops-I read that sock yarn as Madelinetosh not MacKintosh! What colorway is that?
Loving the aztec mazes pattern, and also the yarn you are using. Lovely!
I love the sweater, it looks warm yet light.
Congrats on the publication!
I know knitters mutter about yarns no longer available for a pattern they like. It must be a real headache for designers!
Thanks for the heads-up on the new sock book. I’ve put it on my Amazon wish list.
Congratulations are well deserved on the inclusion of your pattern into the book.
I always like the look of the tighter tension for the lacework, it is an instant appeal, but when you look at the sweater itself and wish to duplicate that softness and lightness, the larger needle is better. If going for a fall turtleneck in that kind of a pattern, I would opt for the smaller needle.
Yay, you went with the Aztec theme after all for the maze sweater! I’m so glad. I absolutely LOVED working with the Melosa yarn for Cluaranach, I’m sure it’ll be great for your lace cardigan. I just wish I had some left in the stash!
Hooray! I love the blue cardigan so–I’d been hoping for a pattern . . .
I think the green for the sweater is going to be great, and I think I like it even better than the blue. I love your Mazes sweater, but I don’t think I have enough yarn for it in the stash batch I want to use next. I’m about to try a different idea, but my limiting factor is the quantity of yarn. I shall save Mazes for the future.
V-neck PLEASE!!!!! Most of the patterns I’ve seen are high neck or for cardies. Just a lovely pullover in a v-neck would be sooo nice for those in-between days to dress up or down. You’re right about the stitch defination of the gray versus blue.
OK, it’s “definitions”. Maybe I’m just longing for a good travel sweater to stick in the carry-on!
Well, I am sorry I can’t buy acorn stash sock patterns any more…it has sold a lot of french marigold yarn for me! Congratulations on being in Charlene’s book! She’s wonderful and her books have a broad reach! Good for you!
You’re a busy girl! Everything is just wonderful!
I’m very excited that you’re planning to publish the patterns for some of your sweaters. You have such lovely sweaters.
(I am also now kicking myself for not getting the acorn sock pattern before it disappeared from your shop, because the PDFs are so much more convenient for me.)
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