I Be Swatchin’

Elizabeth mentioned a few comments ago that I must be very patient as I knit swatches. I had to laugh out loud, ‘Patty’ and ‘patient’ not two words you’re likely to often see in the same sentence. I am not patient. At. All. Just ask my family. They can tell you all about it. The only thing that makes me knit swatches is that I hate a sweater that just does not fit more than I dislike knitting swatches. And, after swatching recently for something else, I realise that my swatching process takes a week as it takes me that long to knit a swatch, wash it, wait for it to dry, realise that my gauge is off, and start all over again.

The nice thing about this current round of swatching is seeing the colour play of this yarn. Isn’t it lovely?

I knew it was going to be nice but even I am impressed with how darn purdy this fabric is going to be.

I managed to get my skein wound into, somewhat, passable yarn cakes. My ‘swift’ (two chairs back to back) was being unreasonably difficult.

You may have noticed the little note on the completed swatch. Usually I just write the needle size and the gauge I got with that needle. In this case, as I was using a set of Addi Turbos which I am not used to using, I decided to add that information as well. There is every likelihood that the ‘slipperiness’ of the Addi’s threw my tension off as, for the first time since Moses was a baby, my swatch is too small. I’m usually a very loose knitter (don’t tell anyone. The neighbours already have too much to talk about, what with me out putting yarn in trees to take pictures of it) so was very surprised. Then again, the yarn may have shrunk. Regardless, I’m now knitting up from a 4mm to a 4.5 mm needle. I’m hoping to have a decision before we leave at the end of the week. Stay tuned.

Problems With Fibre

First of all let us all wish a big, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MUDDER!

And, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIL!

I have to admit to some false advertising here at Chez Fibreholic. Not intentional, I assure you, but poorly planned nonetheless. Remember that Nova Scotia mohair I offered up as a prize? Well, let me tell you a story. A farmer’s market (a first for Middleton apparently) started up here earlier in the summer and, every Friday afternoon that we’ve been in town, we have attended. We have also, every Friday, admired the mohair at one of the local farmer’s booths.

When Iain and I dropped by the market two weeks ago, the mohair table wasn’t there. No biggie. Some vendors are unable to make each and every market afternoon so I wasn’t concerned. This past week, it was the same thing. That’s when I started to get anxious. This past Friday, it was the same. By now, I’m hyperventilating. After all, I need mohair for a prize! I promised! In a panic, I spoke to a lady who is often sitting with the mohair folks. She said that the mohair family are back visiting England. They have been away for two weeks already. Likely, they will be for at least another two weeks. Be still my palpitating heart.

So, here is yet another confession from me. Fibreholic isn’t able to come up with the mohair goods. I hope the following will suffice…..(head hung in shame):

As to who will receive which box of goodies well, I have to leave something a surprise!

Next, allow me to introduce you to another problem with respect to fibre. Gorgeous, no?

Yep, I think it is pretty spectacular too. It’s a worsted weight (as least I believe 20 sts = 4” translates into worsted weight yarn) Fleece Artist hand dyed special. It is comprised of 450 metres (490ish yards) of 60% Donegal lambswool and 40% silk. Although I simply love the colourway and the yarn itself, I am completely stumped as to what to do with it. It has been sitting in my stash for years. It managed to survive my pregnancy purge (although another skein just like it (different colourway) did not) when even as little as a whiff of wool sent me running to the nearest bathroom. I really like it but, what should I do with it?

I found the Yogini Bolero pattern over at Knit and Tonic that I really like and thought might work. However, I have realised that the yarn the pattern calls for is a ‘light worsted’ yarn and I’m not sure my problem skein fits that category. My first favour of this post (if you completely disregard the fact that I messed up my contest prizes and my first favour could be construed as begging forgiveness…): what do you think about using my yarn for the Yogini Bolero? Is my yarn too heavy to work? The gauge and needle size for both the pattern and the yarn in question is exactly the same, by the way.

My second favour: if the pattern I found doesn’t work out, do you have any other pattern suggestions? I was thinking of a bolero or a shrug or something of that nature. I have checked Ravelry but, well, I guess I can admit this too - I got tired of looking.

I’m going to go and knit up a swatch for something else while I wait for a lightening bolt wonderful idea to hit me from the blogosphere. Thank you, thank you, thank you!