What gauge looks best? What needles will I need?
Have you ever gotten gauge in your swatch, but didn't like the fabric? Too loose? Or maybe too tight? I am creating my own gauge. I don't have to match what someone else achieved. This gives me the utmost freedom. I get to decide which needles give me the best fabric.
Main Body - I grabbed US 7 needles and knitted a stockinette swatch. Then I tried US 6. After washing and blocking, I decided the US 6 gave me the best looking fabric @ 5 sts = 1 inch.
* Needles: Knit Picks US 6
* Gauge: 5 sts and 6 rows = 1 inch
Eyelet ribbing - I want the ribbing to create the waist shaping. I started with US 6. This is way too loose. As I learned from the fabulous The Best of Vogue Knitting, ribbing should be knit 2-3 needle sizes smaller than the needles used for the main body of the knit. With cotton, it should be knit really tight so that the integrity of the shaping and drape is maintained. US 3 is it.
* Needles: Addi Turbo US 3
* Gauge: Unstretched 7.5 sts and 8.25 rows = 1 inch, Stretched 6 sts and 8 rows
I probably don't need to say this, but these numbers will be important for future purposes.
Yarn
Will the yarn work? Does the stitch pattern work? Do you like like the yarn?
Swatching also allows you to determine whether the yarn will work with the proposed garment. After swatching, I learned that the yarn will give me the intended drape of the garment. The yarn, while being worste weight, is light and crisp. The design has a super low back, which means less yarn than a tank that covers your back all the way to your neck. Thus, I don't think it will get heavy, as is the case with a lot of knitted cotton tops.
I think the Karabella Zodiac will make a lovely summer tank.
Upcoming: Design Process Part IV: Measure
5 comments:
I really like the way you're writing these installments. Its very interesting to me to see how you design.
Your No Sheep Pal
Same here. I like how you're documenting your design process.
It's amazing how we've come a long way since the LBT. I pulled mine out and thought about what I would've done differently if I knit it now.
It's so exciting to watch this design proces! :) I'm working on a few designs myself, so it's always interesting to see how other people do it.. You're much more methodical than me! ;)
I'm such a goof! I just realized that these posts are a series. Can't wait to see the next post!
Thank you for your notes! As someone who wants to learn how to create her own patterns, your comments are very insightful.
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