Thursday, May 11, 2006

lilaran.jpg

Further evidence of my love affair with cheap yarn, here lies a special flash from my past. It’s all washed and getting ready to go UP to Northern Lower Michigan this weekend.

This is a cropped Aran cardigan, made from a Vogue Magazine pattern (I don’t have it anymore) that my Mom had, year unknown. I made it about 10 years ago and it’s something I’m wearing all the time this Spring – it’s short, it’s textured, it’s now…

It’s also made from Peaches’nCream Cotton Yarn. I think. I remember it came on a cone and was probably best meant for a dishcloth but why pay attention to little things like that when you can fantasize! I believe the original yarn called for was Rowan Handknit DK cotton – in my infinite wannabee yearnings, this was the best my pocketbook could do.

And how now, cash cow? Actually, not too bad! This got softer and better with every washing – and since it was cropped to begin with, a little shrinkage didn’t hurt TOO much. I actually was totally naive about shrinkage in that era – even though I owned jeans that shrank in length, I didn’t grasp the fact that 100% cotton yarn almost always shrinks, (unless it is pre-shrunk and then it still might shrink!) Now, in the New Age of Yarn Awaremess that I live in, I swatch, wash AND dry the little bastards to see *exactly* what I can expect.

Bottom Line? I’m pretty darn lucky – this sweater made it in spite of my ignorance!

21 Replies to “Thursday, May 11, 2006”

  1. This is a touching testament to the Power of Peaches & Creme. I adore it. I am convinced that Rowan Denim is the exact same quality of cotton. Nothing wrong with it, provided you are willing to wait for it to soften up a bit. xoxo Kay

  2. Oldies but goodies are the best!

    Between you and those Mason-Dixon chicks, I’m thinkin’ I should buy some stock in Peaches and Creme!

  3. I’m so envious when I see people who have successfully made garments using Peaches ‘n’ Cream cotton. They have some great colors, but everything I make with it comes out horribly.

  4. You were protected by the Yarn Goddess! Otherwise, you might have abandoned the whole affair entirely. The cardi is gorgeous!

  5. I love that sweater! I think it’s held up admirably. I was just looking around for a yarn for CeCe and couldn’t find a silk I liked and wondered if this stuff might work. I wish I could get my hands on that Vogue pattern, it’s divine.

  6. Colin Firth.

    Totally cute. I used to knit for my nieces and nephews in Suger & Cream. I wonder why I stopped?

  7. I’m impressed that such a “cheap” yarn has held up so well over so long and so many wearings. It still looks great!

  8. I love it. That “cheap” yarn shows the pattern and stitches so crisply! It’s a Champagne sweater on a beer budget!

  9. It’s a gorgeous sweater, too! “Cheap” doesn’t always equal poor quality. No need to apologize for humble yarn, eh? Bad Ass knitters don’t apologize for anything! I just got Wendy Knits book — so, are *you* writing one? All those hush-hush Chic Knits designs going in the sidebar . . .

  10. Wow! I’ve been using the wrong cheap yarns… I know how soft it washes up, but I always thought it would be too heavy for a sweater.

  11. Oooh – you’re alot smarter than I was back then – that yarn IS very heavy – I’m lucky this is a cropped cardigan otherwise it would weigh a ton!

    Wouldn’t do it again, for sure…

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