The Boringest of Swatches
It really is quite boring, and mostly stockinette, but with a point. I’ve had a couple balls of Misti Alpaca for a bit that I bought with the intention of making a hat. I rethought the idea for a bit, then decide for it again, then thought slippers would be good…See I’ve had this problem with hats in that I’ve never actually successfully made one. I think I’ve mentioned this before, and using common knit lexicon I think it’s into the realm of a curse. It’s a Hat Curse.
Sooo, tonight I finally got up the nerve and decided to do a full on real swatch. OK, not exactly full on with the garter edges and pinned-outness, but I plan to wash it! That’s a rarity for me. I’ve decided on the hat again for good and sure, and I think this yarn is perfect for it. This stuff is amazingly soft and hopefully warm.
However, that’s not the real reason I’m going on about this swatch. While I was making this swatch I was thinking (and talking to the wonderful husband who loves to listen…really!) about my design aspirations. I want to spend more time and effort on designing things, and being more original and creative with my knitting. I’d like to sell patterns some day, and try to write some about my craft. It was then that I realized that I would have to make a real commitment to what up ’till now I’ve considered (subconsciously) waste knitting. Swatches.
I know, it’s terrible but I’m not the only one for sure. When I swatch it’s with the intention of getting a quick gauge and ripping out to start the project. I have so little money for yarn that I want to have plenty for my project (and maybe a little more!). Despite all this, I have decided that the key to getting a start on more designing is swatching more. So, for here on out I’ve promised myself to commit to taking time specifically for swatching just to try new things and see what I come up with. I’ve got a good bit of not-so-special yarn in my stash, plus some handspun in colors I’d never wear. I’ve just got to be disciplined now. Ha!
February 8th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Be brave! Hats can be great and I find the way the decreases make swirly patterns on the top to be magical. I really like the book Hats On! by Charlene Schurch - lots of great hats from basic to advanced. And I’m totally impressed you made a swatch!