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11.29.2005 :: Cascade 220
Yarn: Cascade 220 (The Heathers)
Color: I think this is #9451, Lake Chelan Heather
Needles: US6, bamboo
Notes: Cascade 220 is such a great yarn. It's well-priced and knits up wonderfully. Of all of the swatches, this one really shows off the details the nicest. I don't think the Cascade heathered colors can compete with the intricacy and depth of color in a yarn like the Blackwater Abbey - but for a nice, basic yarn, it's definitely a good option.
Last night, I was reading through the book, Knitting in the Old Way. It has a chapter on Bavarian twisted stitch sweaters and some good insight into reading the patterns and understanding this style of knitting. And it's in English!
My book finally shipped today, so I'm anxiously awaiting it's arrival. For those of you who already have your copy, you may want to check out this site on Japanese knitting. There are a couple pages on reading charts, translating characters, etc.
And on a totally unrelated subject, I turned one of my upstairs bedrooms into a dog training room. All I have to say to the doggies is, "Do you want to go upstairs and practice?" and it's a race to the top of the stairs and into the room. Katy is demonstrating her two-on, two-off contact position in this picture and Ellie is waiting her turn in the crate.
Posted by Mary on 11.29.2005 AT 10:42 PM
Comments
You SURE you don't want to run the KAL? You're doing so much work! The book is really beautiful - I don't think you'll be disappointed.
So between the two, money no object, would you go with the BWA over the Cascade because of the color? What about texture?
Posted by: Cara on 11.30.2005 AT 12:58 AM
It would be instructive to see (in person) the same sweater knitted in these different yarns. Having seen MB's BWA sweater and your Cascade sweater in person, I have an idea as to what the differences would be, but it'd be cool to compare and contrast them. (Remember those compare and contrast questions on exams? Tedious. Sweaters, however, would be fun!)
Posted by: Kerstin on 11.30.2005 AT 05:45 AM
I am having so much fun seeing all of your beautiful swatches and imagining what the finished product will look like. By the way, I am one of those college English professors who has to read about 50 of those compare/contrast essays a semester, and I would love to read one that compared yarns or the look of sweaters in different yarns. It would be a nice break from the tried and true car comparison papers! :)
Posted by: Suzanne on 11.30.2005 AT 07:26 AM
I have really enjoyed your yarn and swatch comparisons. Which yarn do you think you will use on your sweater? Speaking of the sweater, how hard will it be to translate it and knit it? I would love to join the KAL, but I have a hard enough time with charts and patterns written in English...
BTW.......I have a few little pooches that could use some training sessions in your new room ;-)
Posted by: Kim on 11.30.2005 AT 07:33 AM
I got my book yesterday. I love the pictures, but when it gets to the schematics, I'm lost. Thanks for the link to the Japanese site.
Now, does Ellie have to face the wall while she's waiting?!? Such a good dog...(both of them).
Posted by: Annie on 11.30.2005 AT 08:51 AM
Does Ellie move really slow so that Katie has to wait longer? That's what siblings would do. :)
The Cascade has a puffy even-ness to it. It holds its shape, while still being very soft. BWA is more unruly, in a charming way! It's airy and more textured, giving a more rustic look. (Oak-y, with a hint of pear - heehee.) Wish I could feel them!
Now I'm sure there isn't a right choice. Just two wonderful versions, unique in their own way!
Posted by: Mary Beth on 11.30.2005 AT 09:54 AM
I love Cascade 220... Oh, and the doggies are so cute!
Posted by: Jennifer on 11.30.2005 AT 10:02 AM
Do the dogs generalize well from the flat board to the teeter/dogwalk/A-frame? It is wonderful how so many dogs love to use their brains and work with their people though, isn't it??
Oh, and your knitting looks wonderful, as always.
Posted by: Janice in GA on 11.30.2005 AT 10:32 AM
I love your swatch comparisons. Beautiful and informative!
Posted by: michelle on 11.30.2005 AT 02:21 PM
Hi, just wanted to leave my mark. Found you on the KBTH website. Looks like this KAL is really going to be fun. I wish they had a guy sweater KAL. Yes, I'm a guy and I learnt to knit by myself. I seem to be learning new things everyday. I will be following your blog.
Posted by: Kenny on 12.01.2005 AT 05:11 PM
BTW, what are you training your dogs for? Not dog fighting I hope?
Posted by: Kenny on 12.01.2005 AT 05:13 PM
That is absolutely beautiful. =Denise from Aran list.
Posted by: Denise on 12.01.2005 AT 10:14 PM
Have you received your pattern book yet? Mine shipped yesterday--can hardly stand the wait! But better that it not get here too soon as I still have 1/4 of a lace scarf and two pairs of socks to knit for Christmas!
Posted by: JennyRaye on 12.08.2005 AT 07:42 AM
This is beautiful. I recently used Cascade 220 to make my first pair of socks and they came out great. Not too thin....thick enough to keep you very warm!
Nice blog by the way.
Posted by: Cristina on 12.29.2005 AT 04:28 PM
That yarn. Is. Delicious. I am. So. Jealous.
Posted by: Christina on 11.30.2005 AT 12:58 AM