Knitting Club

Ok, so it was a week ago… but I’ve been busy!  My second class of blogging has passed, and I know it as often as ever!  I thought I would try to act last year’s feature into a tradition… one where I speak about how various yarns have held up in the sweaters I’ve made this year.

1.  Printed Silk Cardigan in Frog Tree Pima Silk - I get a lot of nice compliments on this sweater.  The yarn has stretched a bit, but nothing you wouldn’t expect for a cotton/silk blend.  It’s nice and poise and light.  I might not use this yarn again because of the splittiness (the store has not yet faded) but so far it is keeping up well!

2. Juliet in Cotton Fleece: One of my most favorite sweaters.  I love the swingy shape that’s so popular right now.  This color of cotton fleece has faded a bit - it’s more beauty than terra cotta, but I even enjoy it!

3.Green Gable in Knitpicks Comfy -  I don’t wear this so often, because even though I added 2.5 inches to the body it’s still way short.  The yarn itself is keeping up ok - a little fuzzy maybe - but the actual job is that it catches every man of lint in a room.  It was lovely to make with, but I have concerns about it long term, so I wouldn’t use it again.

4. Thermal in Knitpicks Gloss - Everything they say about Gloss is true - it stretches insanely upon washing.  I made my sweater too small, and now it’s a bit big, but it is adorable and warm, and I care to break it on cold days.  The yarn otherwise is keeping up great - no pilling, and the color has stayed true through washing.

5. Tree Jacket in Valley Yarns Colrain -  I know this sweater - it’s unusual but not crazy looking.  Colrain is one of my true yarn loves - soft and shiny, and it holds up great!  My sweater has no pilling, and I wore this all the time last winter.  It does attract lint thought, but not too bad.

6. Tuxedo top in Berroco Naturlin - Like knitting with twine, but the results are so worth it.  I don’t wear this much because I’m always cold, but whenever I do it makes me so happy!  The yarn gets softer with every wear, just wish they say with linen.

7. Briar Rose in Moda Dea Fashionista - The only sweater here that I do not wear.  I cannot appear to flesh out what to break it with, and the yarn  is pilling badly after just a few outings.  It was foreign to entwine with, and I cannot recommend it for garments (but I bet it would give a lovely soft blanket!)

1. Something Red in Blue Sky cotton - Sometimes you get to study for yourself - for instance, I had to see that this yarn really does bear as bad as they say.  I have worn this a lot (I ever get lots of compliments on it) and it’s stretched out and really worn looking.  I could go with the wear if only it would stop stretching - at this indicate it is far wider in the shoulders than I am.

2. Flutter Sleeve Cardigan in O Wool Balance -  I wanted to try this yarn forever.  It was a bit rustic to entwine with - papery and total of twigs.  But the jumper is great - lightweight and soft, and it holds its work well.  I find short sleeved cardigans hard to wear (as I said, I am a cold person! but this is my favorite!

3.  Vest Evereste in Cascade 220 heather - I love vests, why don’t I knit more?  I will get to form one this winter (Victoria from the new Kim Hargreaves is first.  This vest has held up wonderfully - it has not stretched, and the yarn looks like new.  I’m planning to knit Forecast with Cascade 220 this year, since this was such a success.

4.  Comfy Cardi in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino -  I didn’t love this when it was done, but to my surprise it is one of my favorite sweaters now.  I love Baby Cashmerino.  It’s more tightly twisted than the other cashmerinos, and it does not pill a bit.  I’m planning to knit Ripple, from Kim Hargreaves Nectar, from this yarn.

5. Gathered Pullover in Naturespun Sport -  I know the colour and the sleeves fit me perfectly, but I do like I had made the consistency with a normal hem - I am always pulling at the rolled bottom.  Ah well - I bear it all the time.  It has not stretched or pilled, surprising for a cheap yarn knit at a loose gauge.

6. Emily in Venezia Worsted - This sweater is so luxurious - the silk yarn has a decent weight and cloak and the colour is beautiful!  It has not pilled, although I am careful with it because of the silk content.  It stretches a bit, to be expected with wool/silk blends, but it’s still one of my favorites.  I do know this yarn, and I view the damage was really good

7. Central ParkHoodie in Kathmandu Aran - My favorite sweater, hands down.  I must have worn this 3 times a week last winter.  I know about people believe the thread is too rustic, but I didn’t get it to be too bad - I view it was quite soft, if not a smooth knitting experience.  It has not pilled, and it has not stretched.  I am planning two knits this winter out of this, one of my favorite yarns (28 Thirty and Bianca’s Jacket.  I am all around a soft tweed!

This year I have tried more complicated techniques - twisted stitches, cables, and lace. I give two sweaters nearly finished now, to clear up for my slowness during the move.  I hope the info on the thread is useful to you all, I live I often wish I could experience how a yarn does over time!

If you’ve read this far, here is a preview of the new color of our guest room (previously painted ceiling white everywhere with a hideous built in shelf.)

It’s a tad brighter in actual life, a true french blue that I chose because it matches the french blue in my babette blanket (which will be in here as shortly as I stop it!)