I'm in passionate love with Rowan's Cashcotton. It's the softest, easiest to knit cotton that's ever slid across my needles. No problems with splitting either. There's a fluffy, hazy finish from the cashmere, but that's a huge part of the charm. This certainly won't wear like mercerized cotton, but it's got the luxury feel Rowan claims. Here in coastal So Cal it's a perfect weight for cool evenings.
I've heard this yarn doesn't like to be frogged, but I did rip back five rows of both front panels without issue. Had a forehead slapping moment after realizing I'd missed the bottom shaping. I'd noted that shaping before cast on - really - but then promptly forgotten when I picked it up two days later for some mindless knitting. A little too mindless obviously. Anyway, it re-knitted just fine, but those rows were only about 30 minutes old before the mistake was corrected, so the stitches hadn't set. With the fuzziness, I can imagine a big jump in the frog pond might affect the yarn's finish.
I'm using INOX 40" circs. I often prefer bamboo needles, but with this yarn they will probably slow you down a lot. Here's the progress so far:
Takes a little yarn management to do all sides at once, but it will be sweet when I do those shoulder joins! If you don't have little girls this may not be part of your world, but plastic hair bands are perfect for containing the CO tail for later seaming. I've also used them for making temporary ends on DP's to create a short pair of needles for knitting an edging, etc. They make good stitch markers and can be cut out easily if they need to be knitted into the fabric. One more: they wrap around the tips of DP's with socks in progress for safe transport. Only a penny or two each, so you can abuse them and lose them without tears.
Emily finally got to wear the sweater I finished two years ago, months before we even met her. Can you tell I've been waiting waiting waiting to claim "It fits! Time to wear it!"? OK, I'm pushing that window, but hey, it's got grow room.
Can't see it in these photos, but the color matches her beautiful eyes exactly. She's at the age of CHEESE! Didn't have time before pre-school to let her calm down and get some natural shots, but I wanted to capture it before she gives it a day of her special treatment. It's a Debbie Bliss pattern using Classic Elite Provence (the blue #2607) and Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (the cream).
Non, ceci n'est pas un chapeau.
Finally got my first Pi Shawl on the needles! I say first because I've heard they're addictive. The EZasPi KAL had another CO Day, so I decided it was time. Especially since I'd just received my hank of Shine from Joslyn's Fiber Farm. This is the Treebark colorway. I love the shine of silk/wool laceweight and I thought this pattern knitted in the round would play up the variegation well with minimum pooling. Seems to be working so far...
Survived learning the crocheted loop cast on and the first few rounds on DP's, but the crease between my brows may be a bit deeper. Can you work up a sweat only moving your fingers? Still need to even out my first increase round - YO's are a bit fussy to make on DP's - but I'm pretty happy with it. Only other knitters can understand the glory of those first few rounds, no bigger than a baby mouse in your palm, held up with ecstasy like you've conquered the world.
After that it's been smooth sailing. Decided to stay with the basic EZ pattern from Knitter's Almanac, which again, I think works well with the variegated yarn. I'm saving my mushroom colored Zephyr laceweight for a more intricate pattern. Harlot ignited a debate last fall about the merits (or demerits) of variegated yarn and lace. Personally, I like it if the yarn and the overall design and the stitch patterns complement each other.
Non-knitting content:
Sometimes I read through all of Harlot's comments because it's practically a forum in itself (like the variegated debate). A few days ago she was commenting humorously on the real vs. emotional geography of the US. I love the variations in culture across this nation - keeps in intersesting. My born and bred CA neighbor just came back from a trip to New Orleans over the weekend and her first words were "The people were so nice and friendly!". Some stereotypes have merit.
Someone gave the link below where you can produce your version of this map. I didn't do the world map because it was such a depressing reminder of how few of the places on my wish list I've seen. Only plus was that Russia is a huge land mass. For the US, my rule was that I must have set foot on the soil and seen the place at least in passing, so I didn't include a state if I'd only changed planes there - otherwise I'd also have MI, MN and MO. Been in spitting distance (not that I spit mind you) of WY, WI and VT, but didn't pass the border signs so no points for those. Guess I need to do an Upper Mid-West trip huh?
create your own personalized map of the USA.
Another reader suggested Garreau's book Nine Nations of North America, which I've just now put on hold for pick up at my local library (don'tcha love on-line catalogs!). I've read another of his books, Edge City, so I'm looking forward to seeing this although it's out of date (1980). Love David Brooks' books too: On Paradise Drive and Bobos in Paradise. I'm putting in the Amazon links so you can read reviews, but these should all be at your local library as well. If you're into this kind of thing (which sounds slightly risque), feel free to comment with further reading suggestions.
I'm looking forward to watching your progress on your PI shawl. I've been wanting to make one for years, but haven't becuase I don't have the room to block it :). It looks really lovely so far..love those colors.
Posted by: Moni | May 17, 2005 at 11:51 AM
Thank you for the review of the Cashcotton. That is a gorgeous color and I look forward to seeing the finished item. Having switched to nylon needles for the Handknit Cotton, I can really appreciate what you're saying regarding using the Inox's for this yarn. It speaks volumns to my sore hands.
That sweater is beautiful and I can't blame you for being anxious to get it on her.
Speaking of gorgeous, that Pi really is. That yarn is spectacular and I look forward to seeing your progress.
Nifty link to the map. I've just spent some time playing there myself. I need to do the southeast and the northwest. The rest was covered.
Posted by: Risa | May 17, 2005 at 12:11 PM
I have been dying to get my hands on the new Rowan yarns and so far I haven't found them at my lyss. The pattern support for them is awesome. I think the sweater I want to knit is with the Cashsoft, the lighter weight. I hope I run across some soon.
Emily is so cute. She should really be blog decoration more often!
Posted by: Teresa C | May 17, 2005 at 07:48 PM
Your Pi Shawl is looking really good. I love the colors in the yarn.
Posted by: Sydney | May 17, 2005 at 07:49 PM
Right, there's another one to go onto my Upcoming Projects List -- that "Treebark" color is really beautiful. It looks especially lovely on the rocks in your garden -- great photo!
Posted by: Jeanne | May 18, 2005 at 03:35 AM
I'm not sure where to start...I just knit a hat with the Cashcotton and you're right it is yummy...it doesn't even feel like cotton! Emily is adorable and so is the sweater. Looking forward to your progresson the Pi shawl...I'm off to the link now to learn more. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: michele | May 18, 2005 at 04:13 AM
Beautiful photos of Emily. The sweater is just gorgeous and lovin' that color. You need to come to FL and teach me how to use my fingers in such nimble ways. And you've still traveled a lot more places than I have that's for sure. My list of where to's is very long! Glad to see you posting.
Posted by: Shawn | May 18, 2005 at 06:59 AM
That cashcotton is making me drool...what a gorgeous color and I love the hazy finish - makes it look so cozy. Emily is so cute in her sweater! And looks ever so pleased...
Posted by: Vicki | May 18, 2005 at 09:53 AM
Oooh, I love the sweater - it's so great! And how cute that you made it so long ago. She is one lucky girl!
Posted by: Anne-Caroline | May 18, 2005 at 06:50 PM
So much to comment on in this post. The Pi shawl yarn is amazing with the color changes it makes. You did a great job of photography. Emily is darling in that sweater and it's great when a knit can be worn for several years. It really doesn't look too big.
I've been so tempted by the CashCotton at my LYS...I'm trying to stay away for while.
Posted by: Margene | May 20, 2005 at 08:13 AM
she looks adorable in that beautiful sweater and that pi shawl is amazing!
Posted by: froggy | May 22, 2005 at 03:51 AM