October 25, 2006
The knitting is still making boring blogging, I'm afraid.
Icarus has only 12 rows to go, and I'm hoping I'll get it done by the weekend. Spring Blossoms is nearing the end of the sixth repeat, but has been largely abandoned in favour of finishing Icarus.
The sock is halfway down the foot, and progressing nicely.
Having all this boring blogging material is dangerous.
It makes me want to start things.
The new Jo Sharp book, Knit 2 is out, and I purchased it last week. I think this is probably the best book she's done yet.
I instantly fell in love with this.
Mind you, if I have one major complaint about the Jo Sharp pattern books, it's that some of the pictures are too artfully posed to see the garment well. Here's a better picture of the pattern.
Love it, love it, love it.
It calls for Jo Sharp Desert Garden Aran Cotton which is 65% cotton and 35% microfibre, and has a gauge of 18sts and 24 rows on 5mm (US 8) needles.
So I hopped onto eBay and had a look around.
This magically appeared in my mailbox today. (I wonder why my stash isn't shrinking?)
Rowan All Seasons Cotton in "Purr". I got this fantastic bargan from Jannette's Rare Yarns on eBay. How fantastic a bargain? $US22.50 a bag.
Bargain!
To compare this to Jo Sharps Desert Garden Aran Cotton, the Rowan is 60% cotton, 40% microbfibre (close enough for me) and has a recommended gauge of 16-18 stitches over 23-25 rows on US 7-9 needles.
Surely I can make that work.
Or maybe the gauge Gods are laughing at me right this minute.
One glaring difference that is a little disconcerting is that the Desert Garden has only 55m (60yds) per 50g ball, and the Rowan has 90m (98yds) per 50g ball.
Is it just me, or does that seem like a gigantic difference for an apparently similar yarn?
Can 5% microfibre mean that much difference?
Anyway, there are many other things I like from this book.
There's more, but they're my favourites.
I haven't swatched yet, in fact, I haven't even opened the bag of yarn, but how long do you think I can last?
I will finish Icarus first, I will. I will.
Maybe.
Posted by Donna at October 25, 2006 02:42 PMComments
I bought the Knit 2 book too. I am not a huge fan of Sharpes. I don't find her work particularly original or inspiring - though the same can be said of 99% of knitting designers at the moment. Pretty mundane stuff on offer. However, she has enough nice stuff in this book to make me want to buy it. Also got Knit Today's first issue. Ho hum.
Posted by: Susan at October 25, 2006 04:38 PMThe ASC looks really pretty.. *wonders how long you can restrain from starting that project* =D
Posted by: kessa at October 25, 2006 04:44 PMI had just bought this book too, and I love it! There are so many patterns that I want to make from this. I love that lace leaf panel jumper too.
Posted by: claudine at October 25, 2006 04:48 PMThe ASC is great to knit with - good choice! I've heard good things about the Jo Sharp book but can't find it anywhere (not that I've looked too hard!) I may have to resort to a web-purchase of it...I agree that Jo Sharp patterns are all a bit same-y (she seems to use the same 5 or so patterns in each book just adapting them a bit here and there) - but they are good solid classics. But go Icarus!!
Posted by: Rose Red at October 25, 2006 05:24 PMI love that purple and that book is great. I have it here and startitis is seriously tempting. eeek.
But first Icarus.
hi, i've been lurking on your blog for a couple of weeks now, and i just wanna say that i love reading about your knitting and your family. both my boyfriend and i especially love twinkie (we have this...thing for cute furry animals) and your lovely pictures of her. please keep blogging =D
Posted by: karyn at October 25, 2006 06:11 PMThat drives me crazy, too. If they want people to like a pattern, why can't they show the whole thing instead of showing the models hiding behind a tree?
I love that lacy blue pullover. Go for it!
Posted by: jessie at October 25, 2006 08:43 PMI love this book
and
I'm another who usually doesn't like Jo Sharp's books.
The leg is nice and the sock looks good.
Funny how we all have different tastes. I really love Jo Sharp. Her designs are what I would call up-to-date classics. I need to get that book! By the way, excellent deal on the yarn.
Posted by: wool winder at October 25, 2006 11:01 PMSo many patterns so little time.... I wish I could have time to knit half of my planned projects.
Posted by: Tianne at October 26, 2006 01:05 AMI love those patterns! I can't wait till Icarus is done. I just finished the Swallowtail Shawl and I'm in love with it. My first real lace project! I'm off to pick another color and make another one.
Posted by: Evelyn at October 26, 2006 04:31 AMNice looking sock! Whats the pattern & yarn?
I love the color of the Rowans OSC too!
Ooh I have the same book, which I got a few weeks ago. Maybe we can have a knitalong for the pattern, I will need to check my stash to see what I have in it to knit it up. I buy from Janette's Rare Yarns too, she has gorgeous stuff. I love all of the patterns in this book, especially the cabled sweater at the end too.
Posted by: Sue at October 26, 2006 11:15 AMhi!! is 1 bag of that yarn enough for that nice jumper you knitting? i might get my hands on it too!!! how much was the postage?
Posted by: Michelle at October 26, 2006 03:11 PMcannot wait till i get my hands on Knit 2 ... drooool....
Posted by: yin at October 26, 2006 05:38 PMI LOVE that first Jo Sharp piccie you posted too! I am considering making that for myself..
Its gorgeous! there are a few things in that book I love.
Katt
Posted by: Katt Walker at October 26, 2006 10:02 PMI like Jo Sharps' designs I have a lot of her books and made a few things but I do agree that she does tend to repeat a few of the designs in each of her books. I did buy this book yesterday too and do like it a lot. I have never bought from Janette's Rare Yarns but have book marked her site for future purchases.
Posted by: Helen at October 26, 2006 11:33 PMI'm one of those that adores Jo Sharp's patterns. She does take some of the same styles and redo them, as does Debbie Bliss. But as I tend to like more classic styles and less trendy items, that's why Jo Sharp is one of my faves. I haven't seen this book yet, but as she's Australian, it makes sense as it's your summer, I believe now. A lot of those patterns look great. I do like the one that you've ordered yarn for. Quite beautiful. I'm looking at you ordering cotton for your summer and we're having a snowstorm in Denver at the moment. Must bundle up with wool stuff now!
Posted by: Wanda at October 27, 2006 01:23 AMmmm I've eyed it off at the newsagent!!!
Posted by: corrie at October 30, 2006 05:34 PM
I subbed Jo Sharp for ASC for a Rowan pattern a couple of years ago. I had to reorder more yarn as the yardage was so much shorter wit the JS. The JS ended up being quite a few more balls than the ASC called for, but I think otherwise it was (for me) an excellent sub. Why the difference? I have no idea
Posted by: Nat at October 25, 2006 04:15 PM