DeckardsJellyMold

Renewed enthusiasm for #knitting (and finishing) the #zosia is that this little pile of stunning gorgeousness arrives in the next few days to make a summer top, and I simultaneously want to start working with it immediately and to maintain the success of my ‘one in, one out’ policy with my #wip /#ufo pile.

Teeeeeeechnically I finished the #nanaimo Cardi, and frogged the wrap I started before casting on another shawl, but it’s the spirit of the thing, isn’t it?

Isn’t it?

May 16, 2023 at 11:35amWeb
Show threadKaren StrickholmMay 17, 2023
@seryndippyt Love that color! What is the fiber content? BTW I always have 4-5 different projects on needles. I like it that way. Who's to say we can't?!! I love knitting.
Show threadDeckardsJellyMoldMay 17, 2023

@KarenStrickholm the website (Tribe Yarns) states that it’s 100% linen, from the oldest mill in Lithuania no less, so they would know what they were doing! The whole range is deeply lovely. If I don’t hate the linen knitting experience I’ll be going back for the cerulean, and the purple… and the jade… 😂

I have 3-4 and some ufos that I’m not in the right place for tackling, but it was out of control and I wasn’t finishing anything, so in came the rule. It does help me, weirdly.

Show threadKaren StrickholmMay 21, 2023
@seryndippyt I love working with linen. It's just different, as there is no stretch. It's also nice holding linen with another yarn, like a fine mohair. There are lots of little tricks to linen, like knowing difference between long line and fine line, swatching (it can actually shrink sometimes after washing), different joining techniques. It wears like a dream, never pills, takes color beautifully. I just love everything about it!
Show threadDeckardsJellyMoldMay 27, 2023
@KarenStrickholm I did wonder if shrinking would be a problem. I’m still trying to find a pattern I like and work out if o want to work larger (2 strands together works to DK) or smaller. My only worry is that the lack of stretch will cause fatigue, as I know cotton (being also non stretch) does that.
I guess larger it is, probably wise until I know!
Show threadKaren StrickholmMay 27, 2023

@seryndippyt I made a lot of stuff out of Euroflax linen which comes in gorgeous colors. Gorgeous! It's kind of like sport weight but you can pretty easily scale up and down - i usually use US 4 needles. I don't care for knitting with cotton, but linen has such a different feel, and it gets softer as you work it and wear it. Use needles with a lot of "slip" and go for "long-line" linen which is top quality, if you decide to try it. I love linen! 🧶😊💞

https://loftyfiber.com/products/euroflax-sport-weight-100-line-linen

Euroflax Sport Weight Linen Skeins

Show threadKaren StrickholmMay 27, 2023
@seryndippyt ps I never noticed any shrinkage when wet blocking, but it defin8tely won't grow! Maybe try a few different patterns on swatches or linen wash cloths...? I'm about to get started myself on several linen projects.
Show threadDeckardsJellyMoldMay 29, 2023
@KarenStrickholm I got impatient, did a swatch with the two strands together and the shrinkage was minimal so I plunged ahead with a DK pattern. It does hurt hands a little sooner than wool would, but I’m really enjoying it, so yes, I think cloths, towels and more tops are in the future!
Show threadKaren StrickholmMay 29, 2023
@seryndippyt I made a BIG MISTAKE in my advice to you. Reflecting back, I think I might have used bamboo needles, more traction on the yarn. I'm glad you are giving it a go, and am so curious to hear how you get along with it!
Show threadKaren StrickholmMay 29, 2023
@seryndippyt PS: You are a Brave Knitter. I like that!
Show threadDeckardsJellyMoldJul 3, 2023
@KarenStrickholm thank you! It’s a big life goal that I be brave in most things, I’m just happy I’m managing it even if it is just knitting.
Show threadKaren StrickholmJul 3, 2023
@seryndippyt We are brave ones, us knitters!
Show threadDeckardsJellyMoldJul 4, 2023
@KarenStrickholm 😂 this is hilarious especially as I only just went and found a stitch marker 15 rows after I should have placed it (I figured the decreases might be harder without one).
Show threadKaren StrickholmJul 4, 2023

@seryndippyt I love by them these days! These are my faves, the are cheap, stretchy, and easy to transfer. :-)

(100 Pack) Soft Stitch Ring Markers (Available in 3 Sizes, Includes 2 Colors, for Knitting/Crochet/etc) (Medium (Needle 9-15), Red & Black) https://a.co/d/49r43To

Show threadDeckardsJellyMoldJul 4, 2023
@KarenStrickholm I tend to make my own with tiger tail and some beads. I have a few different styles of marker I’ve bought but the really fine and flexible wire is the least intrusive when I’m working, they don’t interfere with the tension and the bead gives them a nice weight - plus I can tailor the size and coordinate them with my project if I’m feeling all fancy 😂
Show threadKaren StrickholmJul 4, 2023
@seryndippyt Sweet!
Show threadDeckardsJellyMoldJul 3, 2023

@KarenStrickholm sorry, did not get a notification for this! Top is finished. In the end my normal steel (chiaogoo) needles were fine, which surprised me as they’re quite slippery needles, but I guess they’re what I’m most used to handling. The worst issue was splitting but even then, not as much as expected.
I need to wash and block it, hoping the minimal shrinkage holds true, and I’ll get photos.

My brain has been hovering over the buy button for more of the yarn already…

Show threadKaren StrickholmJul 3, 2023
@seryndippyt I was reading last night that sometimes the color bleeds so put a lot of vinegar in the rinse water...? I just swatched for #PsychedelicaKAL on my ChiaGoo US7, I think needle size might be too big. What do you think?
Show threadDeckardsJellyMoldJul 4, 2023

@KarenStrickholm yup, colour definitely bleeds - my whole shower was pink after the first wash. I completely forgot about vinegar - I’ll give it another rinse with it.

I’d say yes it’s a bit loose, if you’re not going for an open, mesh like look. IIRC I was using a 3.5mm steel for two strands together, which gave me a fairly dense knit, not quite crunchy, but almost, as I wanted to be able to wear it without a vest underneath.

Show threadKaren StrickholmJul 4, 2023
@seryndippyt Crunchy! You are cracking me up!!