Sunday, September 09, 2007

A Contest! A Contest!

Some time last March, I was on ebay checking out the sales at the "Cucumber Patch" (a fiber source in the UK) and decided that I needed to buy several skeins of Rowan. This was my first on-line yarn purchasing adventure and I was overcome by the easy access and instant gratification.

Since then I have used only one of the lots purchased for a vest. It was Rowanspun chunky and it was a happy FO.

At the time, I did not pay attention to the type of yarn I was buying and ended up with a large quantity of Rowan 4-ply in various beautiful shades.

The problem- I have no idea what to do with it. Each lot contains about 1600 yds. I am giving away the whole lot (10 skeins/162 yd ea) of the color "sludge" (the only one that hasn't been swatched in one way or another because I was saving it for when I finally figured something out.)

Tell me what can be done with Rowan 4-ply and win a prize. Random drawing to be held next Sunday September 16. Advertise the contest on your blog and let me know and you'll get a second entry in the drawing. The picture here shows the yarn to be a little greener than it is in real life. The gauge is US 3 4"=26-28 stitches and 36-40 rows. If it's worsted, it's definitely on the skinny side.



Just an update- The top of my latest neverending wip is now being referred to in my head as the "Mangled Joke." There are too many errors to have it even come close to Eunny's version. I've come to accept my current limitations on this project and will finish it, not referring to it's actual name again. It will be something. Just not exactly what the pattern suggested.

On the other hand, it's made the start of the Central Park Hoodie seem like a stockinette scarf and I'm learning how to cable without a needle thanks to the suggestions and references of those more skilled than myself.

65 comments:

Anonymous said...

I checked the site that shall not be named, and I saw quite a lot of lacy shawls knit in that yarn. Not a lot of sweaters, but saw some blankets and some cute pillows. Someone on there is working on Thermal from Knitty (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTthermal.html) . I think 4-ply is worsted, so you should be able to go to town on quite a lot of sweater patterns.

I will try to remember to mention your contest on my blog when I next find the time (or a reason) to write something. My brain is a bit like swiss cheese at the moment.

Diane said...

Some nice warm vests for CIC would make a great use of that yarn.

Yarnhog said...

4-ply is a little finer than sport weight, which is finer than dk, which is finer than worsted. If it were me, I'd hold two strands together to knit, which should give you about a worsted weight. You will of course only have half the yardage that way, but should be able to complete a project without resorting to alcohol. (I don't knit with anything finer than dk weight as a rule--and even that challenges my patience).

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I checked that site, too. My favorites, using a search for projects done in Rowanspun 4-ply:

* A striped raglan using Barbara Walker's Classic Raglan Pullover/Cardigan pattern from Knitting from the Top

* The Tumbling Blocks pillow; everyone seemed to have made it from Kaffe Fassett kit, but it uses the Tumbling Blocks intarsia chart, which you can find in his book Incredible Knits (probably available through your library). It looks like it uses 4-6 colors, though, so you would have to either modify the chart or (gasp!) buy more yarn.

* Eunny Jang's Endpaper Mitts. They wouldn't take anywhere nearly as much yarn as you have, though; better to make them from the leftovers.

* A long-sleeved version of the Something Red sweater by Wendy Bernard of Knit and Tonic. You can see a picture of the original here:
http://knitandtonic.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/somethingred5_1.jpg

* A large number of lacy shawls and scarves, as previously mentioned.

I am a bit confused as to the weight of this yarn. Many knit it like a DK or worsted weight yarn on US#6 - 8s, but the endpaper mitts and several pairs of socks were done on US#1s. Weird. Whatever you make, though, will be gorgeous, given the gorgeosity (that's a technical term) of the yarn.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, I thought I had your e-mail to send a trackback but I don't. I'm plugging your contest in today's post on my blog.

Olga said...

Oh, how I loves me a contest! How about knitting up some bum-warmers, kinda like a nappy but to line your johnny's with to keep your bum warm when you are sitting on bleachers. I'm sure IK will have a pattern out in the winter issue, at the very least it will be the new craze on Knitty. ;o)

Olga said...

I did your bidding master,you are now 'announced'.

carla said...

Yarndex lists it as a DK-weight yarn. Personally, I'd do a v-neck ocardigan using EZ's EPS, probably the seamless hybrid, with patch pockets and leather buttons and elbow patches. I'm nerdy like that.

Anonymous said...

I made my beloved a sweater using Rowan 4-ply knit double stranded. It didn't really work out and I ripped the entire thing out and had to start again. I was too discouraged and had to ask my mom to finish it. In that exact color in fact.
Please I don't want anymore, please no more.(Just keep my name out of the draw) Posted your contest on my blog though.

Anonymous said...

My answer to most things is life is a top down raglan. Maybe something with a lace patterned yoke. I know you hate the word yoke right now. Is that really the yarn's name: Sludge? I love it. When Ipost later today, I will link to your contest.

5elementknitr said...

I checked knitty and they have a few good projects, but none that require that much yardage.

I checke ravelry and same thing, except for the Thermal shirt from Knitty Winter 2006. Very cute!

Also, I linked to your contest.

Natalie said...

You have to make the Jemima Sweater from here:

http://needleandhook.co.uk/journal/fashionable_life_knits_patterns_to_buy/

It is super cute and on my "list" of things to make!

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

Well, Mustaa Villaa made an amazing Swallowtail out of 2.5 skeins of it!
http://mustaavillaa.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html

Sharon said...

What I often do with yarn that I don't know what else to do with is make a prayer/comfort shawl. That color would make a nice shawl, throw or lap blankie. Right now I have the Argosy Wrap on the needles, because I had one of those ginormous skeins of Lion Fisherman's Wool and couldn't think of anything else to do with it. (Funny, I could have used that Kona Bay cotton for the same purpose, but somehow didn't.) Anyway, that's what I would use it for.

Shameka said...

I am so glad that this yarn is fingering weight. It is discontinued, which makes the pot even sweeter. My recommendation would be the upcoming "Secret of the Stole" which starts sending clues on October 5th. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/secretofthestole/
The amount of yarn needed for the stole is about 1200 yards. So, I woud probably make a pair of socks, or the Branching Out scarf from Knitty Spring 2005 with the remaining yarn. I will post the contest on my blog today.

OzKnitter said...

UK 4ply = US "fingering" aka "sock yarn" weight

Maybe...

http://www.spunkyhats.com/pattern_showyourcolorshawl.htm

or the Woodland Shawl

Heide said...

This yarn in these glorious colous would make a wonderful Fair Isle project. Here's a link to a cardigan pattern http://www.knitpicks.com/Palette+Fair+Isle+Cardigan_PD50455220.html
Here's a pretty vest pattern
http://www.paradisefibers.net/Misti-Alpaca-Fair-Isle-Vest-Pattern-p/100931.htm
and here's a pullover pattern
http://www.patternworks.com/productdetail/800969.htm
Good luck in whatever you decide to make.

Guernseygal said...

I definitely would NOT use it for socks - it has no memory at all and the pair I made actually tore when I pulled them on in a hurry! I have seen several lovely shawls in it but I would be wary of making a sweater in this yarn unless you want it to be baggy.

Dotty said...

I would recommend Rogue or Eris from http://www.girlfromauntie.com/patterns/shop/

Some mods are needed because the gauge isnt' right but I think the yarn would be perfect for either one.

wenat said...

Cabled scarves and mittens would keep you warm and cozy, and be quick to knit up, especially if you double the gorgeous yarn. Great find!

Anonymous said...

If you can't find the right sweater pattern for this yarn, how about a great shawl? Brooklyn Tweed's latest "Hemlock Ring" blanket/shawl is stunning, and would probably look amazing in that Rowan! http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/2007/08/hemlock-ring-blanket.html

Gingersnaps with Tea... said...

I would probably go with what a few others have already recommended: the thermal shirt from knitty. When in doubt though I tend to double strand stuff so I can go up on the needles. You could do the Boyfriend Scarf from last minute knitted gifts double stranded. You must know one or two people who would like a manly looking scarf.

Jen C said...

I would recommend a top-down raglan. I'm making one now out of rowan yorkshire tweed 4-ply. I'm falling in love with tweed!

Anonymous said...

I was going to suggest Central Park Hoodie, but since you've already cast on for that, I doubt you'd want to make another one. How about Mariah from Knitty?

Turtle said...

A lot of great suggestions here...and i love the vest you did knit, lol, i was first going to suggest a vest..then couldn't find the one i was thinking of (i had better soon as I got yarn last week to knit it!)
Beautiful colors you splurged on...did i mention green is my fav color??*grin* Here is the link I am suggesting! I think it would be fun to add to your wardrobe and very chameleon-ish too!
http://knitandtonic.typepad.com/knitandtonic/2006/02/if_someone_aske.html

Turtle said...

Oh yeah, mentioning this on my blog as well!

Mary Beth said...

Okay, just so you know, this is not a worsted weight yarn. It is a fingering weight that you'd make shawls, socks, or lacy cardigans with. The size 3 needle gives its weight away. A size 7 to 9 needle would be a worsted yarn.

YawnOver said...

You could use the rowanspun for the Faux Russian stole from Meg Swansen's A Gathering of Lace. Check out one in progress here: http://iriewoman.blogspot.com/2007/08/faux-russian-stole-my-heart.html

Kenyetta said...

I want to say a shawl or socks, but that is not going to use up much. I think it would make nice children's cardigans or use doubled for a cardigan for you!
I posted a link on my blog.

Haley said...

so what do you WANT to make. I think that's what you should make. (sorry for the smarty answer, but it is what i really think.) i would consider checking out a book like Barbara Walker's knitting from the top that allows you to make a sweater or vest or a skirt or even pants with any yarn you choose. she has really quite simple directions and they are designed so they work with any yarn and any person. that would be my thought. the idea of doubling it also sounds like a good idea since you have so much yardage and it would allow you to use bigger needles and would knit up more quickly. i will mention this on my blog next as i can use all the chances i can get. i've never won one of these contests, but i would love to try to make something with this yarn. and as i'm on a yarn buying freeze and my stash is sad and not-so-lovely, this would be extra cool to win. good luck with being inspired to use your lovely rowan stash.

Haley said...

you're officially mentioned on my blog. :)

Anonymous said...

A shawl from Folk Shawls (maybe the Wool Peddler's Shawl?) and the Persian purse from Folk...ah, purses? I'll have to check.

Sharon said...

Yoo-hoo! I advertised the contest on my blog.

^o^

ikisti said...

i bet it could be used for the new jumper pattern that they have in their new mag.

too bad it's not that green that would be pretty.

now to pop over to ikiknits and push your contest for you.

Nana Sadie said...

It's gorgeous yarn and lovely to work with, so how about something lacy? How about Highland Triangle Shawl from Folk Shawls? Swatch it, tho' as you probably will need to adjust needle size to get gauge (her gauge is BLOCKED gauge too). It's a shawl that has presence, but is not terribly hard to knit (I wear mine all the time)

I'll mention your contest in tonight's blog post...
I LOVE Rowan 4-ply, so I think you'll enjoy knitting with it!
Good luck with your choice?

Diana said...

I've been looking at that yarn too! What a great buy. BUT, I think I'd stick to a shawl or vest not a sweater. The Folk Shawls book would give you a range of patterns using it single stranded or doubled. If you had lots of colors a fair isle vest would be nice. But a solid button up or v-neck would be something to wear with jeans or a skirt in the fall!
I'll post to my blog!

Nana Sadie said...

Ok! I posted a link to your contest! :)
http://knitnana.blogspot.com/2007/09/too-pooped-to-percolate.html

teabird said...

I think that a nice, warm shawl, nothing too fancy, would be lovely, with the Knitty Coronet hat to wear with it. And mittens. Always mittens.

Deb said...

What gorgeous yarn that Rowan 4-ply is!! I'd knit a cardi or pullover from a Rowan knitting book.
https://homepages.force9.net/ethknits/Rowan/Rowan-Patterns/Rowan-Magazine-30.htm

I posted a link to your contest on my blog. :o)

Redheadskydiver said...

I made "Pink Frosting" from the Spring '06 interweave crochet (it is knit but has crocheted ruffles) in 4ply cotton. Not sure if the rowan spun will work as well for a summer garmet but maybe it could be modded into a vest? Mine was knit on size 4's.

Susanne said...

I would use it for a fairisle project...with the addition of small amounts of some other yarns, (I have several in my stash), a gorgeous piece would emerge!
Love the colour too.

Kristy said...

If you held 2 strands together, it would be about worsted weight. Otherwise, you can do some lovely stranded colorwork, such as Endpaper mitts or one of the gloves/mittens from Selbuvotten.

Anonymous said...

How about Anne's Honeybee Stole (knitspot.com)? It's beautiful. I posted your contest on my blog too.

Courtney said...

I like the little cardigan that is here: http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=100&d_id=7&lang=en

It is simple enough to be dressy or to go well with jeans, and the construction is interesting enough to keep the project from being boring.

Plus, it is moving towards the top of the list of things I'd like to knit for me.

Courtney said...

Doh!! wrong link! Go Here instead. That other link takes you to a sock pattern or something.

Dandy said...

Oooo, contests are so much fun... I think I'd buy 1/2 the amount youd need for a kauni sweater and use this as the second color... how cool would that look??? a different take of the pattern, thats for sure

I came here from Deb's blog:
http://streganeedlehook.blogspot.com/

and linked to you on mine:
http://purpleisafruit.blogspot.com/

Dandy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
R a i n said...

I saw someone knit a beautiful Swallowtail Shawl with that yarn and I think you can pull off a lovely shawl/stole/lacy scarf with it =)

Something fair-isle would be gorgeous too but since you already have a lot of the same colour, a shawl would be lovely. It's nice and delicate too =)

Oh I linked the contest on my blog too: http://rainyknits.blogspot.com

Quail Hill Knits said...

I'm in! I'll post the contest tonight on my blog. I love vests and have used the 4 ply quite successfully for these projects.

Anonymous said...

Ohh what a beautiful colour! If i ever get some i'd make a top down raglan with pockets on the front, for myself. I had a beautiful one close to that colour from yarn i bought in Ireland and leant it to my daughter..who lost it :(.
The top down is great because you can decide as you go along if you want to add pattern - fairisle or cables or whatnot. I made mine fairly plain but used a little cable pattern on the pocket fronts and also did a cable patterned for the cuffs.
Off to post a link on todays blog entry :)

Heather said...

it is soo pretty! the perfect green.
it would be beautiful As Rogue or eris.

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful yarn! I think I'd use it for an Aran sweater, with lots of cables and bobbles and other fiddly bits, in whatever size there's enough yarn for it. I figure my two-year-old daughter will grow into it eventually! :)

Lapdog Creations said...

Since you have a variety of colors, I suggest using it to make the Tulip baby sweater from Dream in Color:
http://www.dreamincoloryarn.com/pages/patterns.html
Or their Rocketry baby blanket (also on that page).
You might have to knit holding 2 strands together since you have fingering weight yarn, but it would be beautiful!

noricum said...

Shawls would be good. If you don't want to knit a sweater at that gauge, I'd recommend doubling the yarn and swatching to see what gauge you get.

Debra said...

I'm pretty new to knitting so I don't have any great ideas for you but I just had to say, love the color name "sludge". Wow.

That's funny!

You're green vest looks great!

Jen C said...

Another idea I have is the Lucky
Clover lace wrap cardigan from Stitch n Bitch Nation. It calls for Rowan 4ply Cotton but a wool version would be very nice too.

ikkinlala said...

I'd make hats and mittens (maybe with doubled yarn, at least for the hats). But it is COLD here this morning, so that may be influencing me.

Unknown said...

Since you have so much of it in a color, I'd make any of these...they're pretty cute (at least I think.....LOL)
http://tinyurl.com/29fwx4

http://tinyurl.com/ystboy

http://tinyurl.com/2xzwvf

good luck with the next project, hope you find something wonderful :) Looks like very lovely yarn though, will have to try it sometime :)

Yarn Devil said...

Thats a beautiful yarn! I would make socks, mitten's, warm poncho or even a shawl!

Awesome contest, thanks for sharing! and Dandy sent me! :)

Mira said...

Hmm with that much amount of yarn, I think the Sahara top from Stitch Diva would be cool. You might even be able to make the long sleeves version.
http://www.stitchdiva.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=SDS-031

Oh i've linked the contest on my blog too:
http://knittintherapy.blogspot.com

gradschoolknitter said...

All of the colours you have shown in the original post when you purchased it (assuming you haven't used any of them) would go beautifully together. You could do a log cabin blanket (original style or in blocks a la Mason Dixon OK, they're both from Mason Dixon...)

There's also a great blanket in Last Minute Knitted Gifts that holds two strands of sport weight together and then gradually switches from one colour to the next so it has more "flow" than just solid blocks of colour stuck together... you can see a great version of it here.

Good luck!

Elaine said...

I LOVE contests! It is definitely a fingering weight yarn and you'd have more than enough for a really nice shawl. How about something like Charlotte's Web (which calls for Koigu, but this would look nice) or better yet, Fiddlesticks, Lotus Blossom.

I'm posting a pointer on my webpage - I definitely want to increase my chances of winning :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi - Rowanspun is a bit of a challenge since its seemingly semi-felted state makes it less stretchy than most wools. I like it for shawls - doubled or single stranded -- simple scarves - and baby blankies!

Rachel said...

I'm newish to the knitting world (and may be too late for the contest but I'll offer a suggestion anyway!) but when I look at the yarn pictured, I think shawl. And when I look at that color, I think Kiri...which is a shawl with a fern motif. If it is close to fingering weight, I think that pattern would support it. Good luck finding something that you like!

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