Ok folks, I’m not about to quit knitting yet. I have yarn for one more project and I must as well use it. I’ll be attempting Ene’s Scarf by Nancy Bush from Scarf Style. I don’t know why they call it a scarf because it’s really a shawl. I guess they wanted it to feel part of a scarf book. Anyways.
I’ll be using the same yarn that the pattern calls for, Blackberry Ridge Silk Blend Lace Weight in Samarkan Blue. A nice change from all the green that I did.
So, here we go again…… deciding the perfect needle size. I hate swatching but it is such a necessary evil. I think it’s more of a personal problem, the fact that I hate making decisions. I think this is due to the lack of self confidence.
Anyways, I digress. I understand that it’s more of personal taste to whether you like your lace loosey goosey where you can put your fist through the yarn overs (quote from Wannietta) or if you like it tighter with more definition over the solid areas. The trick I think is to find the perfect balance between the two, allowing just enough light to shine through.
So, I’m doing something a little different this time. Instead of swatching over stockinette, I’m swatching over the lace pattern itself, one of them at least. There are 4 different charts for this pattern.
I swatched over a size 5 US (3.75 mm) and this is what I get.
So, WTF? This is a pretty pathetic swatch. I’m not sure what it is but the size of my yarn overs are totally inconsistent. I have no idea why the pattern on the right is noticeably bigger than the left. By the way, is this how you do it? I swatched over 2 pattern repeats with 2 stitches on each end in garter. I really don’t know why it is so wonky like that. Maybe it’s because the pattern repeats are incorporated into the construction of the shawl.
So, what do you all think? My gut instinct says to go bigger because some of the yarn overs are pretty small. But I don’t want the big yarn overs to get even bigger. What to do? Is this good or should I go up one needle size?
Once again, I’ll leave this up to you all.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s hard to say from a picture but I’d go with your gut and go a bit bigger.
I really love the colour Kenny!!
That is a pretty color! I agree with Wannietta, go with your gut and go up a needle size or two.
I don’t think I commented on your lace leaf shawl, it turned out gorgeous! Did you read the Harlot’s post recently where she talks about how she has to quit down playing her knitting skills when people comment on her knitting? If you didn’t, go read it now, it’s a really good post… http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2006/10/24/in_the_woods.html
It would be a shame for you to stop knitting Kenny, the garments you have made recently take much more knitting skill than you have been giving yourself credit for.
Yes, nice color!
Just reading the word lace makes me run and hide under my bed.
Ann
That color is gorgeous!! I don’t know why you would ever quit knitting when you have a natural talent for it. The things you have been making are works of art!
Sweetie! Please don’t quit knitting. You know that lace always evens out with blocking.
=:8
I’m so in love with that dog. You’re going to make me go out and buy another dog.