I spent some time swatching over the past couple of weeks and while one swatch was not successful for what I intended it for, it did match perfectly the gauge of the Angelina Pullover. I know. It was a sign from the Knitty gods that I needed to knit that sweater! So, I am! And, really quite happily. Top down sweaters might be my favorite to knit, but really Interweave Knits – your directions are sorely lacking. Apparently, they think everyone knows what an Old Norwegian Cast on is (I did not know, but when I Googled it all suggestions came up for the German Twisted Cast on, so that is what I did.) Also, the charts… perhaps you could make them just a tiny bit smaller so that they are even less readable, especially for that segment of the population that is over 50…even with bi-focals I cannot see the charts! I am thankful for the library where I checked this magazine out on my iPad so I can “zoom in” to read them. The only other issue I have is that “key” to the stitches is there for the cables, but not for anything else and you must go to a website to see the key. If I paid for this magazine, I would be less than happy. Other than all that it is an easily memorize-able cable chart. Thank goodness for that small favor… also, sizing starts at 47 (I am not quite sure if that is with the 14 inches of ease or not…but again, top down is easy to modify!)
However, still wanting to knit Nekia I was back at the drawing board on a yarn. I pulled out some yarns and remembered that I had swatched most of them for an Amy Herzog class I took and would you believe that I had a swatch that was almost the exact gauge!! The Knitty gods are really loving me this week! So, I will cast on Nekia on Friday and hopefully will have it done on Monday. I am knitting with Brown Sheep Top of the Lamb Sports weight yarn that is EONS old in my stash. But, I think the color will be better and – almost spot on gauge is just crazy! I have tried a bunch of times to knit this yarn into something, but it just never quite right, so it was nice to have it finally work for something!
On Friday, I started Laura Aylor’s Sand Ripples and finished clue #1. So far, so good… I have a curious little square and I am anxiously awaiting clue #2 this week!
AND… because I don’t have enough to knit right now, I also started Close to You for a charity auction in October, easy peasy pattern and I should have this done quickly.
Now, how about a book update! No cover all yet… I did finish a book this week (but it is not for a Bingo square) I had been on a LONG waiting list at the library for Sue Monk Kidd’s The Invention of Wings. I gave it 4-stars and I really enjoyed it tremendously.
I am a little more than halfway through Still Waters and I still don’t know who “did it” and I am still enjoying it tremendously!
I am back to listening to The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay and have about 18 hours to go (yes, it is LONG, but I am thoroughly enjoying it!) and then I will finish my card out with A Room with a View. It has indeed been an amazing summer of reading.
There you have it… no unraveling, lots of knitting, and even some good reading! But, what about you?
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So much knitting with so many great yarns! I’m no expert, but I think Old Norwegian and Twisted German are the same cast-on like you figured out. I always get a funny mental picture of an old Norwegian man and twisted German guy arguing when I cast on (they look like Statler and Waldorf from the Muppets in my mind.) Happy knitting and reading!
You are such a good swatcher! (My computer INSISTS that I intend to say “goods watcher” there. And maybe you are that, too. . . ) Anyway. Lovely projects in your knitting bag. 🙂
(As far as the book you read that “doesn’t fit a square” . . . ummmm. I’d figure out a way to MAKE it fit. Because Your Bingo – Your Rules!) (But then, I’ve always been a bit of a renegade when it comes to Book Bingo. . . ) XO
PS – Kavalier and Clay is worth EVERY minute. 🙂
I completely understand the frustration with magazine patterns being so small and cramped, but when I started publishing patterns in them, I at least understood why they do it. When I get guidelines for writing my pattern, there’s actually usually a note about the length of the pattern I submit — if it’s longer than a set length, they won’t publish it. They’ve got a limited amount of space for the patterns they’ve commissioned and the ads, so if your pattern doesn’t fit, they’ve got a major problem with their layout. That said, I usually photocopy and enlarge those charts. 😉
You ARE a great swatcher! (My computer thinks “swatcher” isn’t a word?!?!?) Me, I’m a renegade. Swatcher, schmatcher. Hahaha. Probably why my (lack of) garments are next to nil.
Now why in the heck would Interweave call the cast-on “Old Norwegian Cast On” when all the cool kids already KNOW it is the German Twisted Cast on?!?!? Just trying to be difficult? Sheesh!!!
I really need to start reading again. Maybe my answer is to listen? I’m not sure…
I have a chart idea.. I take a photo of it with my phone Then I send it to my printer and enlarge it there. Or maybe I enlarge it first. Whatever, it works!
thanks for charity knitting. In these crazy times, I find volunteer and charity work are healing .
Your knitting is going great guns and how awesome that you had a swatch already done! Kavalier and Clay is long but great, I’m glad you are enjoying it.
Your summer of reading and knitting as been grand all around! I am in the pre-swatching phases and need to just get it done!
you have so much going on! I’m a bit envious. I wish I could borrow magazines on my ipad at my library but so far only books…I have so many real books that I rarely borrow virtual ones.