Now that Spring is entirely under way here, it’s time to start some sample Fall loveliness to travel this summer to market.
First up at Studio Chic: a wool version of VONICA.
Because the fabric for this garment is meant to be slightly drapey, the original sample was worked with DK yarn knit at a worsted gauge. This is one of our favorite things to do (other styles in our portfolio that use this technique are CeCe and Cerisara, etc.)
We’ve gotten some feedback from people all over the globe about just “what” is DK yarn. Lots of stuff in the US market seems to fall on the heavier side of what other areas use. European & Autralian yarn weight standards don’t match up 100% with many products you see available here.
So while we’re in the process of doing one of our favorite things — a wrap test — we’re going to experiment with some stashed yarn to see if we can push the envelope a little bit with this wool Vonica.
The yarn pictured above is Cascade 220 Sportweight. Now, sportweight is traditionally knit at 6 sts per inch. DK weight yarn is traditionally knit at 5.5 sts per inch. BUT we’ve found lots of evidence that the fiber content and twist of the yarn contributes to quite a bit of overlap with these sizes of yarn.
We cast on for the Left Front of our sweater according to the pattern, using #7 needles, didn’t like the result and have downsized the needles we’ll be using for the Body & Sleeves to a #6 needle. This diameter tool is both meeting gauge and producing a solid but slightly drapey fabric that we really really have a crush on… ;p
Ooohhh… I am anxious to see the results. I love your sweater pattern and I accidentally bought 10 skeins of Cascade Sportweight and don’t know what to do with it. I would tackle this for sure!
I’m really liking it so far – it has a nice hand and the gauge works well.
It seems to me that sport and DK are pretty close, though DK is supposed to be slightly heavier. But every weight seems to vary, which is why I’ve always got to swatch.