OK - I did not vote for these - but had another look at the tree jacket and began to get excited (doesn't take much sometimes does it?) So I went online yesterday and bought some lovely Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in crimson. Well Janette's Rare Yarn Shop pulled out all the stops and it arrived in the post this morning (WOW!) I'm also chuffed because it was reduced, and although I had to buy 2 bags of 10 balls, it cost the same as buying the 12 balls I needed elsewhere - so one of my daughters might get a tree jacket too! I really love the Debbie Bliss in teal, but just had to go for the cheaper option this time!
So...my question. I get so frustrated with swatching - if I do it I still seem to get the size all wrong! I think when I move onto circulars my tension goes all skewiff! So how do I swatch for this successfully??!! How big should I make the swatch; stocking stitch or garter; do I wash the swatch before measuring? What do you successful swatchers do?
And by the way - although I am not keen on the Juliet - I love the thought of it with a baby bump - it would look fantastic! I might get pregnant just to accessorize it properly! (just kidding of course!!)
Take care all - clickety click!
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3 comments:
I usually cast on 40-50 stitches for a swatch and measure in the middle of it. Just swatch up whatever stitch the tree jacket pattern gives the gauge for (I don't have the pattern, so I don't know if they give gauge in garter or stockinette stitch).
Lots of people find that their "circular" knitting knits up differently than their plain old stockinette where they are knitting and purling. The purl stitch is what causes the difference, apparently. I took a class at my LYS (Cloverhill Yarn Shop), and it was suggested that, to be sure, you could knit ONLY for your swatch. In other words, knit a row, carry your yarn across the back so it won't pull, then knit another row, carry, knit, carry, knit - so that you have a swatch that was only knit, never purled.
Another option is to use a "sleeve", but aren't these sleeves picked up and knit from the armholes down??? I haven't read that far into the pattern. . .
Good luck! Let us know how it goes!
:O)
Thanks for the swatching advice. I have done a regular swatch, back and forth, I get the width guage but not the length. I am going to try a swatch as Heather suggested. Thank you kindly!
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