You really should never tempt the knitting gods. I should know that by now. Really I should. I mean, it's not as though I haven't had my fair share of knitting disasters over the years, many documented on this blog. But no, there I go typing titles such as 'Joy is a joy' to my blog posts and then wondering why my knitting goes so dreadfully wrong.
Having written my last blog post, I went to Liberty to meet the girls (there will be more on the recent redecoration of the Art Bar Cafe at Liberty next time) and got thinking about my tension with Joy and so I got measuring. Which was good as it saved me from knitting a whole cardigan and then realising that it didn't fit me.
The tension of unwashed Rowan Denim is meant to be 20 sts x 28 rows. I am getting 20 sts x 24 rows. When I wash my denim (yes, I swatched, it was quite the experience), I get a washed tension of 20 sts x 30 rows.
Now on the one hand I don't mind a slightly longer cardigan than the ones that Kim Hargreaves designs, on the other hand I do realise that I'll need to work out the length of the sleeves etc. A bit of me can't be bothered as I can't immediately work out how to do this. And a bit of me really wants to knit Joy. Really wants to knit Joy.
So here are two questions for you all:
1. Should I even bother pursuing this or should I offer Joy (and Hush) up for grabs on the basis that working it out is just WAY too much hassle.
2. And if you think I should stick with it, do you have any clever ideas on how to work out how many rows I should work and where so that once it is washed and dried, it fits me?
In the mean time, just so that you have something to feast your eyes on, I leave you with a picture of Marie-france's lovely hats.
Remember, you have until the end of the month to get your hats to me to enter the raffle. I am still working out what I am going to send as prizes but 2 of the yarn presents that have been earmarked are going to be hard to let go of, that's all I have to say!
Dear Amelia,
Hello :) I'm coming late to the Innocent Hat party here - I've just searched for knitters taking part, and come across your blog.
I've set up a pledge, that I will knit at least 5 hats, as long as 35 other people knit at least one too. I just thought if you had people interested in knitting hats after your raffle finishes who need a little motivation, that they might be interested in my pledge.
You can see it here http://www.pledgebank.com/thebigknit07
I'm hoping to raise at least 40 hats!
Thank you :) (sorry for leaving this in a comment - I couldn't see your email address anywhere)
Posted by: TheKnittingBee at August 23, 2007 10:45 PMAmelia
I have done 4 hats. Please can you let me know where to send them.
Thanks
Posted by: Philippa at August 18, 2007 09:56 AMHi, Amelia, I keep seeing other people's Innocent hats on your blog. I've knitted quite a few but I don't have your address. Is there somewhere I can send them?
Posted by: Anne at August 17, 2007 07:17 PMHi, I knitted Joy a couple of months back (sorry I remain blogless busy with 3 young children so can't show any pictures). It was hard work knitting the denim but I knitted a size medium and found it hard to measure gauge due to the ripple of the pattern.
I knit tightly but used the 4mm as suggested and decided to lengthen it overall for fear that it would shrink up too much. Denim seems to stretch a lot in the hot wash, but it needs to be dried in the dryer to a crisp to get the right shrink effect. I should have stuck with the pattern specs as it is now too long and I'm going to shorten it by 3" as it doesn't look right too long. Hope this helps - denim is great yarn, the finish is absolutely fantastic but a little stressful during the washing and drying. Good Luck.
Posted by: bronwyn at August 16, 2007 05:11 AMamelia, i am not sure if this link might be helpful....
http://members.aol.com/knitnotes2/home/Techniques/Conversion.html
i hope so, because as you are aware, I just love Joy and have been looking forward to the progress report each step along the way !!!
my respect for working with a yarn that shrinks, though. Quite the challenge.
barbara
bummer about the gauge! some people get a kick out of recalculating patterns; unfortunately i'm not one of them or i'd definitely give you a hand.
i could easily be talked into taking over hush, though ;-)
Posted by: kris at August 15, 2007 09:34 PMI have no clue on any of the maths and all that (isnt that what the interwebs are for :) but if you off them we should talk!
Posted by: stinkerbell at August 15, 2007 04:32 PMWhy not finish the back off, wash and dry it to shrink it to the finished length, and then measure (against the back) the finished length of the sleeve - and count the rows needed to achieve this length, and knit that many rows for your sleeve. It will be more accurate than the swatch you've knitted, and it's in pattern. You might find that there's less adjustments to do than you thought. We can always recalculate the increases for you. It seems a shame to give it away when you rather like it.
I really don't know but it is a lovely cardigan. Personally I would just knit it, maybe go down a quarter of a needle size just to try and get nearer row gauge, but keep stitch gauge as best I could. It is 3/4 sleeves so they might turn out a little longer!! I am all for taking risks, thats why I have so many rubbish knits!
Try emailing Kim Hargreaves. They will answer I am sure as they are helpful.
Hi Amelia
I understand your dilema. I've made 2 jackets in rowan denim, one for James and just finished Solo for Luke. When it is all finished it looks great, washes well and wears well. But denim isn't the most tactile of yarns when you are working with it. Joy looks like a great pattern and one you would probably get loads of wear from and it would be a pity not to continue as you waited for her for so long...
I can't help with the workings out but I think it is worth it.
Sarah
ps now you are back at the art bar cafe I'll sweet talk my dh about babysitting...
Posted by: Sarah at August 15, 2007 10:40 AM