« A Successful Zipper Installation | Main | An Error On My Part »

September 19, 2005

I Swatched

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments on the zipper and the Zip Cardi. I really, really appreciate all your kind words. Without your encouragement, I wouldn't have finished the sweater.

I didn't knit as much as I wanted to this weekend, but I did manage to get all our laundry done (how two people can create such huge amounts of laundry is really beyond me) and the house straightened up (which it desperately needed). That said, I did manage to make some good progress on Backyard Leaves. I didn't get it done, but I'm on the sixth repeat of eleven. So, that's about the same place I was on the first half after last weekend and I managed to finish the first half on Wednesday. This week is doable.

Also, I swatched for Frieda. Swatching and getting stitch and row gauge are especially important on this project because the pattern is written by row rather than by cm or inch. Getting gauge always makes me nervous because I'm a continental knitter and I guess that makes me a looser knitter than some. So, I worry. I did up a little swatch and let me tell you - the yarn is yummy. Really yummy. Oh so soft. I knit it up and measured. The gauge for the pattern is 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm. I had 20 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm. However, I learned my lesson on swatching with Tivoli - washing and allowing to dry is important to accurately reflect gauge. So, the swatch took a little swim in the sink and was laid out on a paper towel to dry. I'm also happy to report that the deep burgundy bled very little.

After a while I had to measure again, even though the swatch isn't dry. I'm happy to report the gauge is now 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm. What a relief. Now, as soon as I'm finished with Backyard Leaves I'm good to start Frieda.