Swatches

Part of my routine for the week is that I get out to two places; a coffee shop for Wednesday night knit night and to a friend's house for Thursday night craft night.

I read The Yarn Harlots "Knitting Rules!" I have enjoyed her wit and information, this is more of a reference book for my library. I did read something I had not heard before, and that is her way of doing what she calls "proper swatches."
The book is on loan to a friend, so I cannot quote directly, but basically she tells you about how to make the swatch the right size and after you knit it, you cast off, wash it, wait for it to dry and then measure. I think she gave the reasoning behind this method, but as the book is on loan, I cannot reference that information. I was taught to cast on enough stitches to make the piece larger than the measured area by two to four inches and then knit up to about two inches past the row measurement and measure.
This made me curious about what to do if you need 10 balls of yarn for a sweater, buy 10 balls and end up using one for swatches, evidently you need to buy an extra ball. In the book she said you could use the swatches as coasters and give them as presents. Do people like knitted coasters? Maybe.
I took a survey at knit night and craft night, oh my! Over 50% admitted to not doing swatches, and others said they kind of did them, some did them the way I am used to doing it.
It was interesting, not a momentous hot topic, but I learned a bit about my partners in crime.

I have been working on two pairs of socks and and a shawl.

I am just past the toes on my toe up Campanula sock. Campanula means little flower and is of the bell variety which makes the name very appropriate, as it has lace bell flowers on it. No picture of the lace pattern, I'm not that far yet.

Better get knitting.

The other pair of socks I am knitting are from sock club; we meet on the first Saturday of the month, get a new pattern and some yarn (at a discount for members) and go our merry way until the next month when we get together, show off our work and re-start the process.
This months pattern is "Hugs n Kisses" from South West Trading Company, It's pattern is ribbed cables of X's and O's. It calls for TOFUtsies yarn, I however opted for Cherry Tree Hill Louet yarn. very delicious color called "wild cherry". Yummy! (n0 I am not eating the yarn.)

I LOVE my hand knitted socks, people don't understand sometimes why you would take so much time to make something you could buy for a couple of dollars in the store. They have shook their heads and looked at me like I am crazy and have even said so. I feel sad for them, they have not known the comfort.