Choosing Yarn by Arenda Holladay

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ONYOURWAYTOTHEMASTERS choosing yarn by arenda holladay

Ya rn selection is important in knitting Wh en I did my Level I swatches, I thought who evaluated your last level or TKGA who personal projects, plus it is one of the things the committee members were probably tired wi ll forward your question to a co-chair: the TKGA Master Hand Knitting Program of looking at pale swatches so I used some It can save time in the long run. co mmittee evaluates. After all, a Master co ral left over from a project. I thought, Knitter should be able to select the right “C oral is light, right? It isn’t as if it is navy Weight – Worsted weight is to be used ya rn for any project – including the sample or black.”I was wrong. From the committee’s for swatches “unless otherwise specified.” swatches created for the program. perspective “light” is white, cream or a pastel Wh y? It is a simple reason, eyestrain. Some color. It also means one color, not variegated, submissions can take up to 10 hours to Wh en the Masters Program general instruc- tweedy, heathered or two colors plied togeth- ev aluate. Individual stitches are hard enough tions for each level say: “Use only smooth, er. Look at Swatch 3 which is a smocking to see when they are knit at a gauge of 5 light-colored, worsted-weight yarn ... unless pattern worked in a loosely plied rag wool. stitches to the inch. At 8 stitches to the inch, otherwise instructed,” it is easy to think, Co mpar e it to Swatch 4 which is the same you need a magnifying glass. Also, a needle “Where is the fun and creativity in this?” st it ch worked in simple worsted wool. The size appropriate to worsted weight yarn Ho we ve r, “c reativity” is not the object of the ya rn chosen for Swatch 3 detracts from the should be used. Check your gauge and Master Hand Knitting Program swatches. pattern, plus it has a tendency to split. Swatch co mpare it to the gauge recommended on The object is to demonstrate your mastery 4 better demonstrates the pattern stitch. the yarn band. Some knitters have learned of specific techniques. Samples knit in any- that using much smaller needles hides thing other than smooth, light-colored, Some swatches require colored yarn. The te nsion problems or makes the color worsted-weight yarn are hard to evaluate. co mmittee does evaluate color choices so this tr ansitions in intarsia look neater. Swatches The committee reviews every stitch to see is not a good time to use up random scraps with a gauge significantly different for that it is not loose, twisted, or improperly of yarn. Another factor to consider when re co mmended worsted weights are not placed, for example. You can expect that selecting colors for colorwork is how the accepted. These swatches are very stiff fuzzy, hairy, variegated, pebbly, tweedy, colors look next to each other. If you and have no drape. heathered, ‘thick and thin’ loosely plied, select colors too similar in tone, the stitches ri bbon, chenille yarns or yarn with eyelashes, are hard to distinguish from one another. Fiber – The program does not specify what puffs and poufs are not acceptable. Darker colors can be used in swatches ty pe of fiber to use. A knitter’s choice of demonstrating Fair Isle, intarsia, mosaic, fiber demonstrates her understanding of You should consider three factors when and slipped stitch patterns, plus the argyle the properties of different types of fiber. selecting the yarn to use in the program: sock as long as it is not the predominant A hint on what type fiber to use is found color, weight, and fiber content(s). color. For example, a dark blue diamond in the instruction,“Block each swatch using in a yellow sock would be permissible while the appropriate technique for the yarn.”The Color – Look at Swatch 1. Can you see the a yellow diamond in a navy blue sock majority of swatches required in the program pattern? Of course you can’t. The yarn is would not. are Stockinette. The selvedges curl in pieces to o dark. This navy tweed yarn completely knit in Stockinette. Swatches are to be blocked obscures the pattern stitch. Swatch 2 shows You have more leeway in selecting colors flat. Therefore, yarn should be selected which the same Bavarian stitch pattern as Swatch 1. for the projects required in Levels II and III. can be blocked flat without damaging the Because of the poor yarn selection, Swatch 1 Fo r example, something other than white, appearance of the stitches. This rules out wi ll be rejected by the Masters Committee, cream or pastel yarns can be used for the using most types of acrylic fiber for many of because they cannot see if the technique vest and Aran projects but, please, no navy the swatches. One of the committee members has been worked properly. or black. If you have a question about a said she used acrylic yarn for swatches in specific color choice, contact the co-chair Le ve l I which she had to block until they were

30 Cast On • August - October 2005 1 lifeless in order to get them to lay flat. Even Selecting Yarn for Projects though her swatches were accepted, she Ma ny of the same principles apply to selecting ev entually replaced them with ones knit ya rn for projects. If the project involves a in wool. co mplicated pattern, select yarn that allows you to see the pattern. Look at Swatches 1 Swatches knit in 100% wool or a high and 3. These yarns obscure the patterns. percentage of wool look better than those A general rule is that the more complex the done in other fibers. Wool can be blocked ya rn , the simpler the pattern. For example, without flattening the stitches. This is ey elash yarn is wasted on a lacy shawl. When 2 important for Stockinette, cable and lace in doubt, make a swatch with the yarn and patterns. Acrylics are fine for textured the patterns you are considering. It can save patterns such as seed stitch or brioche you time. or in the pieces of a garment which will be seamed. If you want to use acrylic yarn for the swatches, make one of the Stock- inette swatches first. Block it and if it can be blocked flat without flattening the stitches, use it for the rest of the swatches. While the TKGA Master Knitter Na tural fibers like mohair and angora are ce rt ificate is not a professional not ideal for swatches either. Look at Swatches 5 and 6. The yarn used for Swatch 5 would be ce rt ificate, it does certainly fine for a project but it makes it difficult for enhance any knitting resume. the committee to see if the cable has been It ve rifies, among other things, wo rk ed properly. It is easier to check the that the certificate holder: te nsion of the reverse Stockinette and the tr ansition between the knit and purl stitches 1. Is able to knit properly, 3 in Swatch 6. 2. Understands what and why they knit, Cotton can be used for swatches but 4 since it does not have the elasticity of wool, 3. Can properly prepare it highlights tension problems. Consider designs for submission using a cotton/wool blend. Some knitters to publications, intentionally use cotton for their swatches 4. Can write reasonably well as it is more difficult to control tension. about knitting. Re member, the committee can only evaluate re sults not effort. A TKGA Master Knitter certificate and pin are awarded to knitters Ho mespun yarn is fine for swatches if it is even. Yarn with thick and thin sections who successfully complete all three 5 makes it hard for the committee to evaluate levels of the evaluation program. te nsion. Is it the yarn or is it the knitter? The program aim is to develop If the committee cannot tell, the swatches and qualify excellence in all aspects must be resubmitted. of knitting. Because of proven knitting expertise, TKGA Master The committee wants to see your very Knitters may find themselves best work. Yarn choices only influence the te aching knitting - in local shops, co mmittee when they detract from the swatch. The yarn doesn’t have to be expensive. guilds and more, writing articles Save your gorgeous cashmere blends for a or submitting patterns for pub- project. Check your local yarn store or the lication, or even working with 6 internet for white or cream worsted weight ya rn co mpanies on original wo ol such as Lion Brand Fisherman Wool, designs for yarn promotion. Cleckheaton’s Country 8 Ply, Paton’s Classic Me ri on Wool, Cascade 220, Lane Borgesia’s Knitaly, or Plymouth’s Galway, to name a few.