Terra Cotta Takes On Twisted Stitches
I did say I was looking for inspiration for my terra cotta tee and I certainly found it in the Wishbone sweater! That panel is perfectly suited to the excellent stitch definition of the Classic Elite 4 Seasons yarn I'm using and won't create a heavy saggy area in my sweater. I'm just so crazy about this yarn and this project - it's such a pleasure to knit with! In my opinion, that's almost miraculous, considering it's 70% cotton - a fiber I usually avoid knitting with. It's a zillion very fine singles all plied in the same direction, making a very round, non-frizzy yarn. It makes very defined stitches and a fabric that resists pilling. I'm hoping the 30% wool will make it resist sagging too. However, I did not feel comfortable about leaving the not sagging part to chance. The ball band suggests a 5mm (US size 8) needle. My tension swatch said that would be fine if I wanted my stockingette to look like lace and if I wore a tank underneath so my bra didn't show! LOL!! And that was BEFORE washing and wearing a few times!! Hahahahaha! In the end, a 3.75mm (US 4) produced a fabric swatch that was supple but fairly cohesive.(!) Lesson learned: never trust a ball band - ever!!
I will say that I knit the lace for the sleeves and the picot/lace hem with 4.5mm needles because I wanted it to be looser and more relaxed than the main body fabric. Isn't that funny? Most patterns tell you to start with smaller needles for the ribbing and move up a size for the main fabric.
Oh - one more VERY important thing: if you are planning to print out the Wishbone pattern you MUST print the last page, with the chart, in color because it's color coded and it will be impossible to follow without the colors. Having said that, if you only have a black printer, use crayons or markers to color in the right squares using the original on your computer for a guide - you'll be glad you did! Cheers all!
I will say that I knit the lace for the sleeves and the picot/lace hem with 4.5mm needles because I wanted it to be looser and more relaxed than the main body fabric. Isn't that funny? Most patterns tell you to start with smaller needles for the ribbing and move up a size for the main fabric.
Oh - one more VERY important thing: if you are planning to print out the Wishbone pattern you MUST print the last page, with the chart, in color because it's color coded and it will be impossible to follow without the colors. Having said that, if you only have a black printer, use crayons or markers to color in the right squares using the original on your computer for a guide - you'll be glad you did! Cheers all!
Posted by Gloria Patre at 4/25/2010 9:29 AM 
Categories: Sweaters
Tags: twisted stitches classic elite four seasons knitted t-shirt cotton wool blend
Categories: Sweaters
Tags: twisted stitches classic elite four seasons knitted t-shirt cotton wool blend
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