24-07-2016

Pattern Instructed Gauge:

10 sts and 16 rows = 4” in St st, blocked to get a shawl that’s 18” x 72”

Pre-blocked gauge:

US 10.5: 14 st x 22R in 4 inches

US11: 13 st x 18R in 4 inches

US 13: 12.5 st x 16.5R in 4 inches

Blocked gauge:

US 10.5: 15 st x 20R in 4 inches

US11: 13.5 st x 19R in 4 inches

US 13: 13 st x 16R in 4 inches

Here’s the thing - I get gauge with none of these needle sizes, but US 13 is def closest (matches the defined row gauge and comes closer to the horizontal gauge than the others). It’s also the proposed needle size. But I HATE knitting on US 13 needles. I actually don’t like knitting on anything higher than a US10, and only when necessary. So knitting this on 13s isn’t going to happen, even if my shawl does end up being @3-3.5” narrower and @13” shorter than the pattern indicates. Arguably I’d have to go up to a US 15 to approach horizontal gauge and, really, I find the fabric too hole-y on the US 13s.

Mind you, I can’t predict that this is what will happen for a couple of reasons:

• This is knit on the bias and bias drape gives more width than a piece would have otherwise.

• My gauge may actually loosen up as I go - I am using bamboo needles (which maybe aren’t optimal for slink of stitches off the needles).

• It’s one thing to knit a smallish swatch with tons of drape. It’s another thing to see how it will grow after it becomes heavy - and given that it will grow even more when blocked.

I suspect this thing will not be too much narrower than it would have been otherwise, and I’m not sure that I need 72” of length, even if it doesn’t pan out… I also much prefer the fabric produced by the US11s. It’s a bit open but not loose.

30-07-2016

This is what you call a fast knit. You can easily make this in a week - perfect Xmas present for someone you really care about. It feels awesome.

Won’t say I love the splittiness of the yarn, but its squishy hand makes up for it. I will def make this again.