Blocking from Hand-to-Hand
Swatching for color only. On the top, at left, Cascade 220 The Heathers, color 9408 "Cordovan"; on the right, Berroco Ultra Alpaca, color 6280; in the middle is the Lana Grossa Royal Tweed. I know which one *I* like best. Swatching for gauge is next, which will probably be followed by seaming of sleeves, lots of trying on, measuring and contemplating, and then a bunch of math.
This morning, I soaked and pinned out the hand-to-hand portion of the Hand-to-Hand Aran for blocking. When I do eventually pick up stitches to knit the body, this baby is going to be way too bulky for portable knitting. I've cast on some Silk Garden for a pair of EZ's Mitered Mittens to remedy that problem.
The weekend was filled with family, football (yay Brett Favre!), and knitting.
That sweater will be beautiful and well worth all your efforts!
Posted by: margene | 24 September 2007 at 01:06 PM
the sweater is looking good Vicki! and so are those cute little boys!
Posted by: ann | 24 September 2007 at 01:48 PM
Brett looks bigger on TV!! But much cuter here!
Posted by: deb | 24 September 2007 at 03:04 PM
Love that last action shot! The sweater's going to be great!
Posted by: Cara | 24 September 2007 at 03:08 PM
Sounds like the perfect weekend to me. I would go for the greater contrast of the new yarns. I always think that too close makes it look like you tried to match and missed. But, who knows how it really looks since we all know about color differences on different monitors.
Posted by: Lee | 24 September 2007 at 08:44 PM
The hand to hand portion looks great!!!
Knitting and family, nothing better.
Posted by: Tonia | 24 September 2007 at 09:21 PM
It looks gorgeous blocked! Wow. Water is amazing. And Mack is huge!
Posted by: Kathleen | 25 September 2007 at 07:42 AM
If you want an opinion, I vote for Lana Grossa. The Cascase, although I love it so, is going to pill like crazy.
Posted by: colleen | 25 September 2007 at 09:00 AM
I think any of them would work. I can't decide which one I like better though.
I wish I had that much space for blocking. I think the kitchen floor is the biggest flat surface I have and no way am I blocking anything there.
Posted by: Kathy W | 25 September 2007 at 10:41 AM
I love the sweater already, Vicki. The color(s) are gorgeous and are among my favorites.
Posted by: Sue | 25 September 2007 at 12:38 PM
This sweater, and your work on it, is so impressive. And that baby is so cute!!
Posted by: nova | 25 September 2007 at 02:55 PM
It really is exciting to see the sweater turning out so beautifully! I love the Cordovan. The boys are just adorable! :)
Posted by: Ruinwen | 26 September 2007 at 10:04 AM
This project is TOO cool. And you're going about it with enviable precision! :-)
I think I like the Cordovan. It makes the contrast look more 'intentional' than the other stuff does...
Posted by: Beth S. | 26 September 2007 at 11:04 AM