Friday, September 05, 2008

Bumps....

Purl bumps, how does one count the stitches? You know as in for my gauge swatch. I think this is the first time I've ever done a garter gauge swatch. As we all know I don't swatch for hats or socks if I can help it, but for a sweater, it is needed.

As you can see, I have my handy stitch gauge from Karatstix, who made these for the Woolgirl sock club.

Gauge swatch
So, do I count both the up and down bump or just one row of either up or down bumps enclosed in my square opening. Nosy minds like me wanna know, well need to know! ;)

Well, folks, what is she swatching for?? It's the February Lady sweater .
STR Heavyweight
Inspired by Carrie's, I knew I wanted one in the Raven Colorway. As you can see from the gauge swatch and from these photos, it looks very different in various lighting.

"Raspberries in pond scum drowned in black. Loud and just a wee bit obnoxious. Attention is what he craves and he will get it. From the primordial ooze, he has risen to wreak a bit of havoc. Trickster? Definitely!" colorway description courtesy of Blue Moon Fiber Arts.
STR Heavyweight in Raven Colorway Grawk
STR Heavyweight
Love these colors and sorry my photos don't do it justice right now. But stay tuned to the sweater progress and we'll see how it looks.


17 comments:

Criosa said...

you know, I've never thought about counting stitches in garter. rows I've got figured out.

but I think you count one bump. so pick either the top bumps in your ridge, or the bottom, and stay consistent across. how you figure if there's a half stitch or something, I'm not sure.

love that color, even if it is hard to photograph

DPUTiger said...

I agree. Count either the top row of bumps or the bottom, not both. FLS is not for me, but I'm enjoying photos of what everyone else is doing! :)

Anonymous said...

I think it might depend on how the pattern reads. For example, does it say "x rows in garter stitch" or does it say "x garter ridges". I think rows means all the rows and ridges means just top or bottom rows of bumps. Good question!


Very pretty yarn for the sweater!

Karen said...

Hmmmm, I wonder if I did it wrong? For the stitches, I counted either the top or bottom bumps, not both. And my FLS seems to be coming out the right size. For rows, uummm, I didn't count my rows at all. :) Never do, bad knitter that I am. I never worry about row gauge.

Bezzie said...

I'm real lackadazical about it. If they are close enough to being within the gauge parameters...I go with it.

Yeah Carrie's damn FL is what threw me over the edge to cast one on too. Such an enabler she is! Ha ha!

Chris said...

Oh, that is going to be a gorgeous sweater!! *is tempted to buy same colorway for same sweater*

Shannon said...

I just got yarn for the FLS. I really like it, and mine will be purple (cotton mind you). Great minds huh? Heheh!

gilraen said...

Gorgeous yarn choice!!!!! I love the Karatstix gadgets!! :)

Sonya said...

That yarn is going to be fantastic as FLS. I'm like Karen; never pay attention to row gauge.

Batty said...

I just ordered yarn for that very same sweater!

I can never remember how to count garter stitch either. I have to look it up in a basic how to knit book every single time, so don't feel too bad about not knowing off the top of your head.

Beverly said...

I am right now searching around for the perfect yarn for that sweater. Carrie's had me really wanting one for myself. Can't wait to see the progress on yours.

IrishGirlieKnits said...

Happy to enable you dear!! Right back at ya after all those ypf's :)

Its going to be gorgeous!! Can't wait!!!

buttercup said...

ENABLERS! All of you!

I think maybe I have some Brooks Farm that this sweater will look stunning in.

Gah!

weezalana said...

No answer on how to count the garter gauge - although I *think* one bump equals two rows? I can never remember though, so whenever I need to swatch in garter, I just use a row counter and a calculator to math it out. :P

Raspberries in pond scum, niiiice. I think I need to go have a Pop Tart, just to erase that idea...

Jennifer said...

Gorgeous! I love those colors together.

Anonymous said...

Great inspiration sweater, the yarn you chose is going to be awesome! I'm not very used to working in garter st either, but I love that little stitch gauge, so cool!

sgeddes said...

I love the color you picked. I'm still trying to decide what color to use. What a cute little guage rule. She makes some nice tools doesn't she?