Pattern Feedback and Questions

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Permalink Reply by jackturbo on April 19, 2008 at 5:49am: Hello. I am starting the Cande Flame Shawl a pattern from KnitPicks. My question concerns the guage. What should it be? I see that the finished size is 16" x 70" blocked and what I have so far is about 18" wide (I've completed about 15 rows of garter stitch with size 4 needle). Will the width shrink when I block it or should I try smaller needles? I have 3 hanks of Shimmer... if I continue with a width of 18", will I have enough yarn to make the shawl 70" long?
I sincerely appreciate any advice. I never cared about the guage but my last project turned into a slight disaster so now I do care! Thanks very much.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kerin on April 21, 2008 at 7:19am: Hi there!
Generally with lace, gauge isn't as much an issue - but it is usually blocked larger than it starts out. I'd say it would be best to go down a needle size or two! You'll want to work at a gauge that results in the shawl being at least an inch narrower, unblocked, than it will be after blocking. Gauge isn't usually listed for lace projects because of blocking and such, and individual gauges pre-blocking can vary and still yield the same finished size. So, do what's comfortable!
Good luck :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by knitlady54 on April 23, 2008 at 8:11am: I have a question regarding Cat Bordhi's new sock book. Is it based on using circular needles, or are dpns (my prefered method) also used? I would like to know before ordering. Also, to everyone, do you use negative ease when making your socks? If so, how much? Stockinette stitch only or stitch patterns on leg and foot? Just wondering! Love making socks (already started on Xmas gifts!) and have two pair going right now--Felici Clay and Essential Twist Volcano.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chrissie Day on April 23, 2008 at 10:59am: the sock book will be based on circulars but one can interchange with ease when knitting socks-- negative ease is not really neeeded if you get the correct gauge as asked by the creator of a pattern-can answer this with ease as just written my own sock book and have knitted hundreds in the designing of this book --out autumn 08
hope you enjoy it; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kerin on April 30, 2008 at 9:13am: Cat's books are usually written with circulars in mind; you can easily translate this to DPN's by putting the instep sts on two needles and the heel sts on one or two needles.

Negative ease in socks is highly recommended! Not so much that you'll cut off circulation, but keep in mind that most socks will stretch a bit with wear, and also that the more something moves the more it will wear out. So, tighter socks will last longer!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by knitlady54 on May 1, 2008 at 1:41pm: Kerin--thank you very much for answering my question! How much neg.ease do you use--10% or 15%? I have had good luck with both. I am "trying" to come up with my own generic sock pattern to use for family socks for Xmas gifts. Makes it easier to just knit and not have to do all that math for each pair of socks!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kerin on May 2, 2008 at 7:20am: Well, I tend to think of it as more of a comfort issue than a percentage - very generally speaking, you'd want your socks to fit like your shoes; a little wiggle room in the toes, and tighter around the instep. Also, the choice of heel can have an effect on your tightness/number of stitches: a mitered heel will pull the instep down, making a tighter fit, while a gusset/heel flap will be roomier. However many stitches need to be added or subtracted to make it work is up to you!

What I'd suggest is to trace around your foot on paper and measure across the widest point; make your sock just slightly wider (by a stitch or two). If you don't have willing family members for this odd little experiment, there are standard foot width charts online.
From a general standpoint, I believe the average widths are 3.5-3.75" for women and about 4.25-4.5" for men. Kids are all different! At a gauge of 8 sts/in, a 60 st sock for women and a 64-68 st sock for men should be just about right.

If you're unsure, ribbing the instep of your sock is an easy little trick to get it to fit any size foot!

I hope I answered your question somewhere in there! :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bona Fide Knitter on April 24, 2008 at 4:51am: In a podcast some time ago, Kelley mentioned a shawl she never travels without. She said it was perfect as a cover up in a beach chair or around the shoulders in air conditioning and easy to pack. Where can I find a pattern for that shawl?

Marilyn; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chrissie Day on April 24, 2008 at 7:39am: in Elizabeth Zimmeremans Almanac it is in store section under books -fabulous read of a knitters life long agao and wonderful knits there is a KAL on this at the mo .
i made one and it is lovely
Chrissie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bona Fide Knitter on April 25, 2008 at 4:24am: No, it wasn't a shawl she was working on, not the KAL circular shawl which is a good travel project. She mentioned a shawl she already has which she always packs to take with her on vacation.

Kelley, Kelley, HELP! I hope you remember that little comment you made in a podcast. I think it was at a time you were packing for a vacation to a warm climate. I remember your point about using it as a shoulder wrap in air conditioning even if the temperature outside is hot.

Marilyn; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kelley Petkun on April 25, 2008 at 10:26am: Absolutely, Marilyn!!

I took it with me to Europe. It is my Feather and Fan Rectangular "shawl" that I originally designed as a narrow airplane blanket but discovered it works very well as a warm shawl. I knit it in Suri Dream. The pattern is a free download - Lace 1, 2, 3

http://www.knitpicks.com/lace%201%202%203%20suri%20dream%20throw%20...

I absolutely love it!!

Kelley; ▶ Reply to This