I've always swatched. Always. It's easy: Knit about 5-10 rows, stretch it out on the circular cord, take a measure (give or take a stitch), then knit. Learned this technique at my mother's knee. Love ya Mom, but you know that's what you do!
Could this possibly, maybe be the reason I've knit about 4-5 inches of so many sweater backs, only to get that icky feeling that the thing is waaaay off? We all know the answer to this question, and some of us even act accordingly. Some of us. That group never included me until now.
This:
is becoming this:
Aren't they lovely? Not washed or blocked yet, but I feel like such a responsible citizen of the knitting community. I'm doing the full Knitter's Review thing here. Starting with a cast on of 6-8 stitches more than the expected count and garter stitching the borders. Trying multiple needle sizes where needed. Will wash, block, remeasure and note changes.
What brought about this sudden leap to knitterly maturity? Well, of course it's been in the back of my mind every time I make a half-assed swatch ... "Should do this correctly shouldn't I? ... Humm ... Oh well ... next time ..." You can see several of those dink swatches in that basket above. Yep, I'm so bad. I knit a couple of inches, take out the needles and throw it all back in the bag, so very sure that I'll remember what needles I used and what project I had in mind. (Actually, I do remember projects, but the details go out the window.)
This bad habit has been brought to an end by the convergence of desire and market forces. I want to make Kepler (PDF pattern link) and I'm probably toying with SABLE (Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy) even though I plan to live a long life! OK, maybe not SABLE, but certainly enough for the 05/06 winter season. I know it's just plain wrong to buy yarn unless I establish as fact that I don't have anything to gauge. (Loop-hole Queen am I)
And what about all those other just-a-gleam-in-this-knitter's-eye projects? All that yarn was purchased for something. And this is only about 1/2 of it. Swatching on a large scale is required.
Finally, this week has been very upsetting. My heart goes out to these people. Far too much time watching TV (deepening my distaste for TV journalism, although I admire most of the ground crews), so I've had time to knit. I didn't want to knit anything I would wear. Every piece of my knitting represents my life to me. It's time trapped in stitches. I don't want a Hurricane Katrina sweater. Swatching has worked for me.
Finished the bags. Very cute if I'm allowed to brag ... isn't that what blogs are for? Yes, the kid and the bags. I'd staged a still shot, but Miss Emmy wanted to model. Gotta love the shoes! Sorry the pic is a little dark. The sun was going down, but she really wanted to help. We've been together 24/7 for three weeks now and she's quite certain of her role as my helper.
The pink bag doesn't have it's firm-bottom insert yet (Where can I find one of those? Don't comment "the gym" or I will come find you), but otherwise they're done. They're pretty big, so my girls can fit all the necessary items for a sleepover or trip to Grandma's. On each bag there's another 6" or so of striped fabric above the circle print, which is gathered with ties, but they're both sunken down in this photo.
The sewing machine's in the shop now, so that's the last of sewing for a bit. The timing went off on the last button holes and caused great distress and much seam ripping. Just like knitting huh?
Oh, to those of you who think I sew neatly. No.
That last post only looked neat because I'd had to clean everything for the weekend. This how it looked while finishing.
Note the two completely unnecessary knitting baskets taking up prime real estate that I just kept working over and around. And the pile of scraps falling to the floor. You can't see the huge pile of snipped threads and loose pins to the machine's right. Actually, this looks pretty neat for me.
Thanks for the very nice comments on my last post. Sorry, but I dropped off in answering emails over these last weeks since I've had Emily home all day, every day. And Rachel's still "adjusting" to homework. I've adjusted her to no TV or friends over Monday -Thursday, but still the adjustment continues. For such a smart child she's a slow learner sometimes. Given all this mothering, I haven't had PC time. Next week pre-school starts and hopefully I will regain some balance.
I'll close the two things that have provided escape and refreshment this month: The Outlander Series and Bubble Tea
I've been like you with the swatch knitting...I just hate doing it! but I need to learn to just do it the right way :)
Posted by: Moni | September 02, 2005 at 06:46 PM
I like what you're doing with the swatching, very smart! Also, some of the yarn in your stash is really great looking -something tweedy blue caught my eye definitely.
The bags that Emily is showing are really cute. I wish you'd sell a few of the bags you've made. They're really great looking - especially inspiring as knitting bags to be.
Posted by: Jaime | September 02, 2005 at 10:35 PM
I LOVE Diana Gabaldon....Oh, seeing your book there just brings me back. I wish she'd add another book to the series!
Posted by: wendy | September 02, 2005 at 10:58 PM
I hear tell that you can get the inserts at places like AC Moore.
Emily looks great. Love the smile.
Posted by: Laurie | September 03, 2005 at 02:39 AM
Love the bags, Nancy and Emily looks so proud. I am so impressed with your swatch project - can you come east and do mine, too? ;)
Posted by: Jackie | September 03, 2005 at 04:40 AM
I LOVE the bags......and bubble tea sounds very interesting!!
Posted by: Kim | September 03, 2005 at 06:57 AM
I really should discipline myself to your gauge strategy. I'm sure it would save a lot of grief. Thanks for the link to Kepler- very pretty.
Posted by: Kristen | September 03, 2005 at 03:03 PM
the swatches look wonderful and the bags too...lovely on the 'model'...love the shoes too.
Posted by: Michele | September 04, 2005 at 05:56 AM
the outlander series is wonderful, but the last book, the fiery cross is a bit slow going.
Posted by: Leslie | September 04, 2005 at 05:39 PM
Tell Emmy I must know where she got those shoes! They are to DIE for!! :) I LOVE those bags!!!! I started hinting to the man and I think I am now getting a sewing machine either for my bday (Oct) or Christmas. (MUCH to do with your influence, BTW... I got so inspired by all your patterns and your willingness to go for it that I thought, why not??)
Posted by: Kathy | September 06, 2005 at 06:47 AM
Oh man, my swatching is spotty, at best. A lot of the times I just start with a sleeve and use that as a swatch. So - what are your thoughts on swatches pre and post-wash? Do you always wash before you go ahead with the project?
Posted by: Anne-Caroline | September 06, 2005 at 08:34 AM
Your post really put a finger on what I have been feeling lately since my usual fast and furious knitting has slowed to a virtual halt since the hurricane. Emotion is such a part of creativity it is obvious that crafted items can hold a residual feeling. Oh, and I love your bags!
Posted by: SpiderWomanKnits | September 06, 2005 at 09:30 AM
So organized with the swatching - I am very impressed! The bags came out perfectly!!
Posted by: Vicki | September 06, 2005 at 01:17 PM
the bags are GOR-geous!! I want one!! I'd want one of the little girls, too -- but I think I'm on my way with that one and besides, I hear they're one of a kind! ;)
I hear ya on the Hurricaine Katrina sweater. Your swatches are VERY professional!! Am deeply impressed.
Posted by: margo | September 08, 2005 at 11:11 PM
I don't care for swatching but I hate ripping out rows EVEN more! Looking at all of your finished swatches makes me think of starting a knitting scrapbook. Putting the pattern used, a bit of yarn(s), a swatch, yarn label(s), a finished picture and the story behind it. So years down the road, I can look back and say: yeah I knit that! Your bags, all of the bags that you have shown on your blog are beautiful! I love the colors! And the shapes of the bags are really cool too! Very inspiring!
Posted by: Amanda (daughter) | September 12, 2005 at 07:12 PM
aww, crudmuffins, sorry about that! right next to my name said daughter. My mother, and My sister both have typepad blogs. And silly me told the computer to save my personal info. yeah, I think its time for me to go to bed...
Posted by: Amanda | September 12, 2005 at 07:16 PM
I am guilty of bad swatching as well :( I think your post has inspired me to do better! LOL!! I love the bags as well!! They are great! Oh and by the way, Diana Gabladon is coming out with a new book in the series this month!! I can hardly wait!
Posted by: Kathy | September 15, 2005 at 07:43 AM