Because Without Sleeves, It's Just a Vest!

So I started the sleeves last night. Started being the operative word. See those two red worms on the needle? Yep, those are the sleeves. Actually those aren't even the sleeves - they are the hems for the sleeves. So I guess I haven't really started the sleeves yet.

OK, to distract you from the spectacular lack of progress on the Red Cardi I will show you this article in the Winter Knitty. If you don't spin, it's probably not particularly interesting, so go check out Romi's Ice Queen cowl (yummy!). OK, I wanted to make a point of mentioning this article because I think it's genius and I think it's information that quite a few spinners, both beginners and more advanced, can use. Not only does the author explain some of the considerations for spinning substitutes for commercial yarn recommendations in patterns (covering every possibility would probably be an entire book's worth of material), but she has a chart. So what? Well, this chart breaks down typical finished yarn sizes by the wraps per inch that the singles should be spun to create these yarns - and it covers using singles, 2 ply, and 3 ply as your finished yarn styles. This is the kind of information that I would have loved to have when I first started spinning and I still plan to print out two extra copies of the chart and laminate them and put them with my Spinner's Control Card wpi guide on each wheel. You'll need to keep in mind that these are more guidelines than rules: spinning a worsted single to the same wpi as a woolen single will get you two different sized yarns because the woollen will bloom more; spinning bombyx silk and angora rabbit fluff to the same size will result in different yarns, again the bloom thing. But the chart will definitely give a jumping off point and save you some sampling time if you are trying to spin yarn for a specific pattern and need to replicate commercial yarn as closely as possible. I think this is the kind of information that most spinners can use so when I saw the article, I just had to share it!

Have a great weekend!