October 4, 2005
Raspy is it.
After swatching for both the Lace Leaf pullover and Salina without first-try success, I moved on to Raspy. I'd already swatched for Raspy once, but it was confusing, and soon abandoned. Saturday morning, armed with a calculator and an apartment full of sleeping guests, I re-measured those washed swatches and calculated.
The conclusion: size 5 bamboo needles should produce the desired result. Size 4s for starting each piece. I started with a sleeve.
In a risky yet math-based move, I added extra length to the sleeve. I like really long sleeves; they are super comfortable. But would it be too long? Did I learn nothing from Wendy's run-in with the dreaded row gauge?
(warning, photos of cat posing with knitwear ahead...)
Raspy sleeve, pre-wash, looking rather long:
* guard-cat included for scale.
Pre-washing Measurements:
Length of entire sleeve: 35 inches.
From cuff to before armhole shaping: 24 inches.
It didn't get any wider or change color post-wash.. that's just the photo styling.
Post-wash Measurements:
Length of entire sleeve: 28 inches.
From cuff to before armhole shaping: 20.5 inches.
Perfect! phew... After washing, the sleeve turned out absolutely the right size! 20.5 inches hits just below my wrist bone.
The overall shrinkage for Elann's Den-m-nit yarn on size 5 bamboo needles was about 20%. Very similar to what you're supposed to get with Rowan's yarn. So maybe they aren't that different after all. This also corresponds to what the Knitting Wench found out in her highly scientific tests.
Onward to sleeve two!
Comments (18)
I remember reading somewhere that they are actually the same yarn. That writer said she had an old ball of Rowan denim yarn that carried the same sailor logo as that of Elann's. My Bomber is still on hold ... don't know when I'll pick it up again.
Posted by Agnes | October 4, 2005 9:47 PM
Posted on October 4, 2005 21:47
Thank you for being so technical and posting the pre- and post- wash measurements. I have a cone of demin that I was planning on knitting up as Raspy as well. Being a bit tall, I always need to lengthen the sleeves and bodies of sweaters I knit. Now I'll know what to expect, shrinkage wise, when I get to Raspy.
Posted by lori z | October 4, 2005 10:15 PM
Posted on October 4, 2005 22:15
The second picture of the cat is really cute! Glad that the sleeve worked out for you.
Posted by caitlyn | October 4, 2005 10:16 PM
Posted on October 4, 2005 22:16
Yay yay yay! I have a feeling that my washer doesn't have hot enough water or something. I bet you it is because we turned down the heat due to tiny person in house, if you get my drift...
and the dreaded row gauge, of course.
Yours looks sensational. Can't wait to see it on!
Posted by Wendy | October 4, 2005 10:50 PM
Posted on October 4, 2005 22:50
That sleeve looks great, I'm glad tsh shrinkage is working perfectly! And the kitty loves it too. So cute!
Posted by Steph | October 4, 2005 10:54 PM
Posted on October 4, 2005 22:54
I see someone took my advice and continued on with their project (or at least I like to think you did!) Looking good so far, but what's up with all these cat posts all over the internet lately?!
Posted by yahaira | October 4, 2005 11:30 PM
Posted on October 4, 2005 23:30
All this talk about Raspy.. now I want one. Glad the sleeve worked out. Can't wait to see the rest!
Posted by Angela | October 4, 2005 11:47 PM
Posted on October 4, 2005 23:47
I'm glad I'm not the only one that has a cat that must have at least one paw on everything I don't want her to. Why is that sleeve so holey? I'm alarmed.
Posted by Christina | October 4, 2005 11:58 PM
Posted on October 4, 2005 23:58
hey lady
how many balls of yarn did you use to knit up that sleeve? i need to lengthen my sleeves too so i gotta figure out how much more i need. if i do need more than what i have (13 balls total), i need to order more from elann before they run out of my dyelot.
Posted by winnie | October 5, 2005 1:14 AM
Posted on October 5, 2005 01:14
A "math-based move". I love it! Glad that it worked.
Posted by Colleen | October 5, 2005 6:23 AM
Posted on October 5, 2005 06:23
excellent info! i would love to try knitting with denim yarn one day, will definitely referred to your post! and the cat... she's really into this as well.
Posted by blossom | October 5, 2005 10:40 AM
Posted on October 5, 2005 10:40
Oh, good. I hate that feeling of insecurity with my knitting, but it shows up in every project at some point! I'm glad the shrinkage worked out perfectly and your kitty is adorable.
Posted by Stephanie | October 5, 2005 10:44 AM
Posted on October 5, 2005 10:44
Thanks for all that information! I love your kitty in there too :) I think I'll actually be using the rowan denim, so hopefully my gauge comes out alright. Have a good rest of your week Diana!
Posted by Dani | October 5, 2005 11:43 AM
Posted on October 5, 2005 11:43
I'm sorry I was so mesmerized by the cat I didn't even look at the knits. The stripes on your kitty are so striking, he must be a good guard cat.
Posted by Rebekah | October 5, 2005 12:19 PM
Posted on October 5, 2005 12:19
I recognize that upholstry! I have that same couch! In red!! I also have a chair and an ottoman. They are a total bitch to vacuum.
But yay! for Raspy turning out well. Congratulations on figuring it out so succesfully.
Posted by Purly Whites | October 5, 2005 1:20 PM
Posted on October 5, 2005 13:20
Just got Denim People in the mail, and Raspy is fave. Your sleeve looks good!
Posted by Lolly | October 6, 2005 9:45 AM
Posted on October 6, 2005 09:45
It's like a science project in a sweater! I love raspy, so glad you're doing it.
Posted by Sarah | October 6, 2005 12:10 PM
Posted on October 6, 2005 12:10
Your kitty makes a purrrrfect spokesmodel! Very cute!
Posted by Lisa D. | October 6, 2005 12:53 PM
Posted on October 6, 2005 12:53