July 23, 2004

Is It Me?

Does this:

Embers Sock.jpg

or this:

Embers LL SS.jpg

look better?

I think I'm inclined to believe that Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock is something that (at least in the variagated colorways) is more beautiful when it's in the skein. At least it's really nice yarn to knit up, the colors are luciously dyed, and I'm always happy to be playing with the small needles. I love the itty bitty stitches. I have to say, though, it makes me feel a little bit insignificant as a knitter when I take off the (Calvin Klein, thank you very much) sock I wore today and realize it is knit (by a machine, of course), in the round, on 256 stitches. Compared to the 64 on my needles... Yowza. But hey, I don't knit to make "affordable clothing." Can you imagine? My hourly wage x the number of hours spent on a project + the cost of the yarn... even the little baby sweater I still have to finish finishing would cost over $300. Egads.

Posted by Jon at July 23, 2004 02:55 AM
Comments

If you can, avoid having people guess at a fair price to pay you for a hand knit sweater. You'll only end up disappointed and insulted.

But I'm loving the diagonal striping effect that's going on with the sock.

Posted by: Antonio at July 23, 2004 07:26 AM

I kind of like thinking about how much a handknitted item is worth. I've been working Cromarty for months and months. So far, according to my calculations, it's worth about $5400. THAT'S what I'm going to point out to people when they say I should sell my stuff....

Posted by: Rachael at July 23, 2004 08:41 AM

This is a little off-topic but it's about the "Sampler Shawl". I've started this shawl and I frogged it but I'm determined to start again. Word of advice: Use at least 40" circulars! I could probably use 50" but they don't have them! The only drawback is you can knit for hours and still only finish a few rows - no surprise with 401 stitches! I've been searching on-line for some people who have finished it and can give me a pep talk and/or pointers. Let me know if you start on it!

Posted by: Beverly at July 23, 2004 10:34 AM

Sometimes changing the stitch can make all the difference in the yarn's beauty - you might want to try something like a k3p2 ribbing for the body of the sock instead of St stitch. I just did that on a koigu sock and boy the sock is gorgeous - whereas with the st stitch I had been using, I was not impressed.

Posted by: Kitty at July 23, 2004 08:26 PM

Only once did I agree to knit a commission piece -- a tyrolean embroidered black sweater for a family friend. I was in law school and needed the money. Got 300 bucks for it, plus materials, but I still think I only made about 50 cents an hour.

Posted by: Carolyn at July 24, 2004 07:42 AM

Your Norwegian sleeve is beautiful.
You could try purling all the stitches of one of the colours to add interest to the sock - although I think it looks very nice.
Must apologise for not e-mailing - you'd be shocked if you knew how behind I am ! You're very sweet to offer to be a yarn 'mule' for me !
If you're going to be in London I can put you in touch with some of the London knitters who meet at Liberty.
Enjoy your trip.Do go to the Colinette mill shop if you can manage it - colour overload.Have a fab time whatever you do. :0)

Posted by: Emma at July 25, 2004 07:41 PM