The Knitting Fiend

I like the way this swatch feels. The fabric is thick and fluffy.

The label suggested “15 maille – 20 range = 10 cm” and also suggested knitting it up on 6-7 mm knitting needles. (That’s size 10- 10 3/4 in US sizes.)

I thought: “Size 10’s? To get 3 3/4 st/inch? What are they nuts? With size 10’s I figure I’d get 2 1/2 st/inch!”

So, I dug out my size 8 tips from my Denise knitting needle case, attached it to a cable, and cast on 19 stitches. Even with the smaller needles, I got a looser gauge than the manufacturer suggested. The width across 15 stitches was 4 5/8″ before I washed it. Strangely enough, this grew to 4 3/4″ after I washed it. The length was 4 7/8″ before I washed it, and shrunk to 4.5″. I guess blocking just sort of made the swatch relax.

This fabric is very nice. I can’t believe the manufacturer recommends a tighter gauge. Honestly, I think a tighter gauge would result in bullet proof, card board like fabric. So, I’m just not going to cram this yarn on size 7 needles to get a tighter gauge.

Now on to the vest!