Why do I feel compelled to shrink my needle size? No matter what yarn I am using, the recommended size always seems huge to me. It's not a matter of my loose knitting--I can get gauge. It's just that for some reason I don't want to be able to see through my fabric, not even when I stretch it. While toying with swatches for my sweater, I realized that this is going to become a problem if I start to design a garment with the intent of sharing the pattern with others. I had my Cashmerino Aran on the recommended #8 US and it felt so loose it was almost comical. If I had it my way, I'm put aran weight yarn on a #5, but I compromised and will be knitting the sweater on a #7. (Except for the sleeve ribbing, which needs to be a bit tighter of course, and will indeed be on my beloved 5's.)

Here's my mini test-sleeve with the final stitch pattern:


After hearing Debbie speak about her design process, I was gung-ho for following every bit of her advice to the letter. But then it occurred to me that she and I had a different set of priorities, and I should base my designs on MY experiences, rather than imitating hers. For instance, I wanted lots of cables in my sweater (as an homage to some of the cable-heavy garments from her trunk show that I fell in love with) but I have two very playful cats who have stolen, hidden, or destroyed every cable needle I have ever owned. I solved the problem by stylizing some mock-cable designs that are done completely without the use of extra needles. Secondly, I have an unfortunate tendency to look frumpy. Loosely knit fabric that hangs without stiffness or structure only intensifies the problem. To attempt to solve this, I allowed myself the needle size shrinkage I spoke of earlier, in order to tighten the garment up slightly. The only item on which I forced myself to leave my comfort zone was the color I chose. It will be turquoise blue instead of the jet black I truly want. I figured I needed a lighter color or else my awesome non-cables will not be seen.

Change of subject: As if I really need another item on my to-do list... Adam got a Nintendo Wii this weekend and I simply must write a pattern for a knitted crazy bunny from Rayman's Raving Rabbids.


p.s. Potter Puppet Pals will meet their maker (in my washing machine) on Tuesday; please cross your fingers that I don't screw them up.