Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Swatching Cables and finished Socks

I finished the cable swatch for the FLAK aran last weekend - but had no energy to take pictures because I fell and tore ligaments in my ankle. I'm hobbling around now, but time will tell if there is any damage that needs a more permanent solution than just rest and an air cast.
Anyway, here's the swatch, done in Rowanspun DK on # 5 needles:

It's upside down, which I didn't notice until I was uploading the photo, but in the natural light you can see the cables well. You can also see at the top of the picture that I messed up the first cross on 2 of the large honeycomb cables, and that the first couple of repeats of the small honeycombs weren't very well defined. I had been cabling without a needle at that time, and quickly decided that the stitch definition is much better using a cable needle, at least with this yarn. I'm quite happy with the swatch, on the whole.
This yarn will not be making a heavy, firm Aran, but I am happy with the fabric it is making on these needles. I have a few heavy Aran and other wool sweaters, and am looking forward to a lighter Aran that will be more versatile and will pack more easily.
I also finished my NYCO (New Year's Cast On) socks, made of three different left-over balls of sock yarn used in the past. The picture makes them look closer to the same blue shades - really 2 are very similar, but one is a much more lavendar blue, luckily I used it in the instep so it won't show at all.
I'm happy to have another pair of warm wool socks, and there is no temptation to give these away, as they are made of orphan yarns.
I started another pair of socks, this time in Opal from Amie via the KR Retreat swap table, in a Jacquard colorway that has a lot of purple and cream, and I am looking forward to starting the FLAK aran when Janet publishes the next installment. I'm also working on my linen Lady Eleanor, which is now too long and bulky to be carry-along knitting.
Back to the sofa to prop up the ankle!