Sunday, October 19, 2008

Caution: Crossed Fingers Are No Substitute...

...for washing that gauge swatch! How sad to finish a project for someone else and find that it doesn't comfortably fit the recipient. And doubly sad because part of the problem was a length gauge change after washing the completed garment -- totally avoidable, and I'm smacking myself for not taking the time to pre-treat the swatch.



The pattern is the Basic Chic Hoodie from Chic Knits, and it's a good one -- no problems at all with the pattern. The yarn, however, is a bit of a different story. I used the Peruvian Highland worsted from Elann. I've used it before, with no ill effects, but this batch seemed to me to be loosely plied and more subject to pilling. So shame on me for using my unwashed swatch for gauge -- it's a hard lesson to learn, but maybe someone else out there will benefit from my mistake. For what it's worth, this would probably be a very good yarn for felting. I'm not going to suggest avoiding the yarn, because this screw up is squarely on my head, but please take the time to wash your swatch (and you do swatch, right?) so that you'll know better what type of fabric you're going to get before you invest all your time in making a garment.


So, pick yourself up, dust yourself off...

2 comments:

Joan said...

I've had that problem with two sweaters even after washing the swatch because the weight of the sweater sometimes makes it stretch. I took the advice of a friend and wet blocked it on the floor again until almost dry, then put it in the dryer for just a few minutes until dry. It worked and did not felt.

Margaret said...

Is it too short or too long? Either way, you could add or shorten at the hem. Had to do that to a husband vest that didn't drape as much as expected. And that was even with a washed swatch. But still, Arrgghh.