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Friday, April 20, 2007

Baby Silk with US6 needles



I can't decide whether I like how this lacy pattern is coming out. I started out with US5 (3.75mm) needles and it was obviously not coming out right. Then I switched over to US6 (4mm) needles which you can see in the photo above. I know it doesn't look like much, but that little sliver of knitting -- about 5 inches (13 cm) -- is actually the result of many hours of knitting. Yeah, I'm slow; it's mostly knit a few rows, tink back a couple to fix something, knit forward a few rows, tink back a one or two rows, etc. I think the one you see above is much better than the US5 needle version. What do you think? Do you think this will "bloom" after some blocking? Or is it still too tight?

I don't have much experience knitting lace with fingerling weight yarn. I've only knitted with Baby Silk once before when I did my Branching Out scarf. I thought that scarf came out a bit too lacy. I wrote down US6 needles for that, but I'm thinking maybe I was smoking the carpet and meant to write down US8 instead?

No idea whether I should continue with the one above using US6 (4mm) needles.

Should I try casting on with US7 (4.5mm) or US8 (5mm) needles? I don't have any available US7 needles right now, so maybe I'll have to skip up to US8 if I do that.

I wish I had a better idea of how this would look after blocking...

I don't remember what the color of this yarn was called. The label says color 1778. It is a very soft baby alpaca & silk blend... you just just roll around in the stuff all day... :-)

.

4 stitch(es):

Anonymous said...

lace size is a very personal thing. 6 sounds about right since the yarn states a size 3 needle. the only way to tell is stretch it out a bit and see if you like the look.

Unknown said...

Marie,

Sorry for being soooo behind the ball these days. Just ask the Elann girls. I just read your post about the biopsy and I'm hoping that everything turns out to be just fine. Please let us all know.

As far as the lace is concerned. I would put it on a stitch holder (waset yarn) then stretch it out and see if you like the looks of it. I've not knitted with BS but I have worked with BC. I think they are about the same gauge yarn. Anyway I really like it knitted up on US7s. Its just lacy enough without being too lacy.

Libby

Joan said...

Marie, I used 7's when using Baby Silk & Baby Cash for lace shawls. You might want to wash & block your swatch and see how you like it before deciding to change needles.
Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Hi Marie,
I use size 7 US for Baby Silk and Baby Cashmere. For me, it works best, and I like the look.