There's one minor concern that I have though. I joined my second cake the other day and noticed a faint, rather large stripe that's developed. As anyone who knits with Madelinetosh knows, the skeins are hand-dyed in small batches and don't have dye lots. There's a lot of mottling (is that a word I just invented?) in the yarn which I love but it also means that each skein will vary in how the color is distributed. Can you see it? Should I be bothered?
Another small detail that I noticed is in the faux seam that is created on either side of the sweater -- I love it but based on the stitch pattern, it's not as smooth as I thought it would be. I contacted Michele Wang, the designer, about my question and she was wonderful about getting back to me, but I think we're looking at this design element a bit differently. It's completely fine as I'm happy with how the whole sweater is knitting up. As someone who is really interested in design and how designers make intentional choices, it's always such a great learning experience to hear how designers explain their work.
Hope you all get some solid crafting time this weekend!
I have to admit that the color-blocking you get with hand-dyed yarns bothers me. And yet, I'm too lazy to work alternating rows from 2 or more skeins! It's been keeping me from using the very best handspun I ever made, because I've got 3 skeins, but the fiber was hand-dyed so they're all slightly different!
ReplyDeleteI always find it interesting how different people have different tolerances for this sort of thing!
Most people alternate skeins every two rows with tosh and other hand dyes because the skeins are so different.
ReplyDeleteI can't see the stripe at all, so I wouldn't worry, and the patternis lovely
ReplyDeleteCrafting time, no. Homework and art time, yes.
ReplyDeleteI think your sweater looks fine, but if it really bugs you i bet you could find a way to fix it :)
I'm with Celtic CastOn - I think you should alternate the skeins to get a consistent effect... and I'm sure the faux seam will look fine after blocking.
ReplyDeleteI didnt alternate skeins with my Tosh merino light for my Annalisa, and I so wish I had!
ReplyDeleteOh that MadTosh phenomena happens to me too. I think it looks fabulous anyway.
ReplyDeleteThe inconsistencies between the skeins is one of the slight drawbacks to hand-dyed yarns. I usually alternate skeins but it is all a matter of preference. If that slight color block effect is bothering you, then rip back now! Don't wait until you get further on in the knitting. As for the faux seam, I would maybe take a look at some other knitters' finished Bedfords and see whether they omitted or kept the seams.
ReplyDeletethat yarn and the colour look luxurious!
ReplyDeleteI'm too late to be any help here so will wait a few hours to see what you decided to do. The yarn and pattern are both beautiful.
ReplyDeleteooo, I love the bedford - my twin 2 "liberated" mine and he wears it all the time. I hope you resolved the yarn dilemma - it is always so difficult with hand dyed yarn...
ReplyDeleteThe Rainey sisters have a good post about the challenges of knitting with mad tosh. http://theraineysisters.com/?p=4962 . I think it's one of those things that you have to be more exacting if you want a smoother color gradation -contacting the vendor or switching balls every row.
ReplyDeleteI personally am too lazy to alternate balls of yarn. I think the variegation gives the sweater character. I'd dare to be different.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell the difference, I think it looks great and I really love this pattern, I just might have to add it to my to do list.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous color :)
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