Welllll, I did the Cotton Cable Sweater Swatch. It is very pretty and elegant looking. I must have taken 100 pictures of the dumb thing, and this
was the best I could come up with. I don’t know what the problem was, but that is a pathetic picture of a nice swatch.
In some ways, it isn’t as difficult to knit as I expected. The cotton has been knitting up nicely and it isn’t difficult to handle. On the other hand, for a ribbed sweater, there seems to be a lot of stuff to pay attention to. The ribbing is inconsistent, so I have to watch it to keep in pattern. Additionally, on the right side, I have to twist the knit stitches, but only in the cable portion and knit them straight everywhere else. On the wrong side, I have to twist the purl stitches in the cable section, and purl them straight everywhere else. A lot to remember for something that didn’t look particularly difficult in the photo. It isn’t hard, just fiddle-some.
I have a question about cotton: My gauge is right on, (right on!), but the swatch seems a bit see-through. It isn’t knit loose, but I can see through all the little holes, easier than I would like. Is that characteristic of mercerized cotton? Considering the remarkable stitch definintion, it seems to make sense, and I’m hoping that when it is on my mom’s body, it will look more solid. Does anyone have any experience with this?
June 23rd, 2004 at 8:20 am
Well, I think it is lovely! As for seeing thru the holes, that can be said for most sweaters, hand knit, store bought, etc that exist. As long as she doesn’t wear a bright white bra under it, no one will ever notice. Besides, they’ll all be too busy admiring the beautiful sweater!!! I’ve looked really hard at the swatch and only in one place can I barely see the leaves behind it. I have tons of sweaters that look like they’d be too see-thru and are fine when they’re on. I’m pretty conservative on this sort of thing. I can’t wait to see the LIVE version!
June 23rd, 2004 at 10:34 am
I agree. I think the cable is outstanding. And I agree on the white bra comment as well. If she goes with a neutral tone (not that I want to get into a debate about your mother’s undergarments, mind you) she should be fine. It’s going to be a beautiful sweater!!! Can’t wait for the finished product!
Hope everyone has a great day!
June 24th, 2004 at 5:18 am
well, cotton doesn’t have any of the fuzziness of wool yarn. even if wool is not mohair or angora and is very expensive and fine cashmere or whatever, there are still little fibers that will fill in the teeny gaps between stitches. wool “felts” in a way. i have some “holes” with the king tut, too. it’s just the nature of cotton. 🙂
by the way, the sideways sock pattern i know of is the better mousetrap socks by debbie new in the fall 2001 interweave. let me know if you would like a copy. 🙂
June 24th, 2004 at 11:51 am
Thanks Athena. I’ll let you know.