I have no voice today – I took the weekend off from church, and I may be off from work tomorrow if I don’t at least regain my speaking voice. But even so – today is an exciting day! Since I couldn’t work, I visited one of my favorite thrifts and found a lovely black cashmere coat from some indeterminate era (the label makes me think 1950s.) I tried to take a photo, but black is so difficult! It has a lovely rhinestone detail around the collar. We also visited a new (to us) coffee shop, and saw a house.
The house was very nice, and we are considering it, but honestly it is a bit further north than I would prefer. I am somewhat nervous about crime, and I want to make sure that we buy a house somewhere where I will not have to be nervous about my safety. I know I’m paranoid, but it’s with reason… I have been mugged more often than the average person I know, and I’m not looking to continue the trend. If we have to wait, we have to wait… I don’t want to move twice! The house was so perfect for us otherwise, but I feel uneasy, and I want to follow my instincts here… I was really enthusiastic about it, but then I kept having this nagging bad feeling.
Last night, since I was feeling totally lousy and was totally unable to sleep, I rewarded myself with some swatching. I got to try out some new and exciting yarns, which always makes me feel better on a lousy day!
Reynolds Whiskey – swatched for the Tangled Yoke Cardigan. Some people say this yarn is scratchy, but I don’t see it, and how great are the colors? This swatched at barely over 6 st/in on size 3s for me… slightly smaller than the pattern calls for, but that might be a good thing… I will have to do math and see how it would work out!
Valley Yarns’ Williamstown – swatched for the Drops Swing Jacket. This is a very soft yarn. I hate to call it a tweed, because I don’t think it is exactly… more like a really nice wool/acrylic blend with some random colored bits thrown in. It’s really nice to work with, and I have no complaints other than a desire for the tweedy bits to be a bit more color coordinated with the yarn. I swatched at 5 st/in on size 6 needles here – I will either go up to a size 7 or knit a size up on the jacket.
Valley Yarns’ Sheffield- Lake – This yarn feels luxurious. The yarn is super soft and knits up very evenly. This swatch is on size 6 needles and shows 4.75 st/in. The angora gives loft to the yarn, but it isn’t overly fuzzy. I did see a few tiny pieces floating in the air, but it did not get on my sweater while I knit with it. I remain a huge fan of the whole Valley Yarns line… if you haven’t tried them I really recommend it – they’re a great value, especially with the discount, and I find the quality to be higher than many discount lines
Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool – I’m testing this yarn out as another sub for Felted tweed. I was able to get 5.75 st/in easily using size 3 needles. I like that it’s nice and lightweight like felted tweed, and that it looks vaguely tweedy. I think this is a winner!
Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino – All the sweaters I’m planning lately seem to call for sportweight yarn. This swatch is for a Phildar Sweater, one with eyelets (thus the holes… although I’ve messed up here!) I’ve used Cashmerino aran before and been unimpressed, but Baby Cashmerino is a totally different feeling yarn. I’ve heard that it does not share the pilling problem that it’s larger cousins have, and I hope that’s true!
These swatches are both attempts at stash busting. The yarn on the left is Valley Yarns Colrain (still lovely!) for this lovely Drops Cardigan, and on the right is Cascade 220 heather in Cordovan heather, for the minimalist cardigan. I just can’t seem to decide on a yarn for this jacket, but this one may be the closest so far! I bought it to make the nantucket jacket, but alas it did not work out, so now I need to use it up!
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
I actually am using Cascade 220 on my Minimalist Cardigan and it’s really been great so far. I’ve never tried the Colrain (although I’m rolling in my Valley Yarns Amherst right now) so I can’t really make a fair comparison but just in case it helps, Cascade 220 is a joy to work with on the Mini Cardi – especially with the miles of moss stitch.
On a side, the Reynolds Whiskey swatch looks beeeeautiful. And I always read your blog, I’ve just never actually commented – so hi!
OOh despite you not having a voice you did say a lot to us! :oD
Thanks for doing all of those swatches for us! Your reviews really helped. I just got in my box the Valley Yarn Brookshire and I have the Silky Tweed over here. So your input was very helpful
Hope you feel better soon!
Whiskey swatches out small for me also. The colors are amazing though!
I admire your diligent swatching, I am a bit more lazy. Thanks for the great info.
Get well soon.
I hope you are going to do something really fun with all your swatches. You are the best swatcher out there!
I hear you on the safety factor, I feel like I live a bit away from where I would like but I have no worries about unloading the kids and groceries, I hate the feeling of looking over your shoulder.
Love all those swatches, esp. Whisky!
I say listen to that nagging voice–the right house is coming your way, just be patient (even though it’s hard!).
Man, if I loved swatching as much as you I’d get much more knitting done. 😛 I found my gauge in garter rib with Felted Tweed was quite loose, even on 3.5 mm needles – or perhaps it’s because I really am waspy, and *need* a size 32″ bust. *sigh*
And since I can’t imagine doing the cardigan on smaller needles, the FT will have to be used for something else. Le sigh.
I was going to knit on it during the NaSweKniMo, too! I guess I’ll have to find something else. 🙂
I really like the Cashmerino swatch, and especially the Whiskey and Sheffield swatches too.. I want to pet them! 😛 Nice way to spend a sick day!
I also used Cascade 220 for my Minimalist, and it came out wonderfully.
I’m so impressed with your love of swatching!
I hope you get over your cold- feel better
I’ve never heard of Quills before! I’ll have to check it out. Sounds like a place my husband and I would like. Has it been open long?
Hope you feel better soon!
You are such a good swatcher! Do you wash them before taking your measurements? I think that is the part I find the most tedious about knitting, trying to find the right yarn by numerous swatches!!!!
You are a swatching machine! I’ve been wanting to try that Colrain, and some of the other Valley Yarns.
Follow your instincts on the house. Unless there is a compelling reason to hurry, you’ll be much happier in the long run if you are sure before you buy.
Hmmm…thanks for the idea to use Cascade 220 for Minimalist. I’ve been wondering what sort of yarn to use and that would be really affordable, and comes in nice colors too.