I wanted a project to use the Rowan Scottish Tweed DK I bought a year ago, and I've also been looking for a nice shoulder warmer pattern for a while now, so this pattern and yarn seemed like a good combination. But no matter how nice the colors and the "tweediness" of this yarn, there is just something about it I don't enjoy. It always knits looser than intended, and ribbing knit with it doesn't do what ribbing is usually supposed to do: pull the fabric together. It also feels quite harsh on the skin, although washing made it a bit softer. The pattern was written for worsted weight yarn, which I thought this DK weight yarn could substitute, knowing it's "looseness". Well, knit with the suggested needle, my gauge was still way off: 17 instead of 20 stitches per 10 cm. I had cast on for size S, but noticing my gauge on the way (naturally I didn't swatch), I knit the rest of the garment based on the XS instructions, and it still turned out a bit too large, at least the sleeves did. I'm not totally unhappy with the result, though: It's something I'm perfectly content with to wear around the apartment. And it's surprisingly warm for its size. The pattern is Top-Down Shoulder Warmer by Laura Chau.
Despite your misgivings, I think it's really lovely on you. I haven't worked with the Scottish Tweed, but I've used Rowan Felted Tweed (also a DK) and had to go with a smaller needle size on the ribbing because it was much too loose. Even then, it's stretching out again with wearing. I had been planning to make this project as well using leftover Malabrigo from a Feb. Lady Sweater I'm doing.
ReplyDeleteI think its really pretty! That is one of my favorite colors!
ReplyDeleteI really like how it looks on you, too, and the colour is just awesome. :) It's lame to have ribbings turn out too loose, though... I'd imagined it only happens with fibers with less memory than wool.
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