Nov 16 2005
Past and Present
I have learned that the process of knitting does not end when a garment is bound off the needles and put in a drawer. What is more important than how your knitted garment wears? We all want our knits to last the test of time, but does that really happen? All of the work that goes into knitting an item only for it to be relegated to the back of your closet? This kind of information needs to be shared in the knitting community–there is great worth in telling your fellow knitters how a pattern shapes up after a few outings, as well as how the yarn washes and wears on a daily basis.
Purly did it last week. Lolly does it this week. Who is next week?
I encourage you to let your fellow knitters know!!
(Compliments to Rachael for "inventing" this fun finished knit pose)
Rhapsody in Blue was completed this past summer while I was at the beach. I have worn it about three or four times, and initially was very happy with how it turned out. I liked the wide boatneck and the bell sleeves. However, with each wear, I found it stretching width-wise. I washed and reblocked, and it was good again. I am concerned that it will stretch out width-wise again, and I guess I will just repeat the blocking process. Have others had this problem with Cotton Ease? Do you always have to reblock?
The yarn itself looks as good as it did the day I finished. No pilling, no fading, and no stray fibers sticking out from the woven ends. I had a few problems in the beginning (pictures in this May entry) with the way the reverse side looked–it could only be described as "wonky". However, these patches have smoothed out very well with the washing. I continue to be very happy with this yarn–I think it is my favorite yarn I have ever used–and sure enough, it is discontined now! However, I do have a little reserve in the ol’ stash–at least enough for two more garments and an accessory or two 
VERDICT: Love it — even if it takes a little more maintainence to reblock it!
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This is Tempting, from Knitty.com. I completed this sweater in the beginning of May after a few problems with the pattern. However, once I got it down, I was pretty pleased with the result. I was determined to show that even if this sweater was designed for smaller girls, I could wear it too. The yarn is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. It was really wonderful to work with while I was knitting this garment. However, I really am not very pleased with how it has worn. I have worn this garment only twice in public. I am not entirely sure how the off-the-shoulder look would go over at the office, or at a Catholic school… So, I wore it to a festival last spring, and have worn it to dinner once. After only one wear, I began to notice fuzziness and the beginnings of pills on the sides of the sweater. |
I picked some pills off, but more appeared almost immediately.
It may be hard to make out in the photo–but they are there, trust me.
The other major problem with this knit is how much it has stretched. The yarn is quite heavy in the knitted fabric–and in my opinion, may not be the right weight for this particular project (although that is what the pattern calls for) The stretching has caused this figure-shaping feminine sweater to look boxy and droopy… and that is not flattering at all.
Plus, I am not happy with the sleeves. I would make them longer–they are a weird lengh–either a cap sleeve, or a 3/4 sleeve would be a better fit for this garment. Another mishap, entirely my own fault, is the hole in the sleeve–this happened when I slipped it over my head, and the yarn got caught on a piece of jewelry.
All of these factors make me like this sweater less and less. I am willing to give the yarn "another life" in a new garment if I can reduce the pilling. (It is such a great color!) Any ideas? Has anyone made a garment with Cashmerino Aran and LOVED it? Please tell. In the meantime, I am thinking of another garment that this yarn is better suited for–Tempting was a fun knit, but if I ever did it again, I would choose a different fiber, and knit a size (or two) smaller.
VERDICT: This one will be swimming in the frog pond shortly.
Yesterday, I celebrated my 25th birthday. I guess it was not so much of a celebration as it was more of an observance… The high point of the day was definitely a nice lunch with my mom at our favorite French cafe. Unfortunately, I had to cut the afternoon short because I was getting some major cold symptoms–but I had to get to class that night to turn in a paper. A nap and some medicine helped me through the rest of the evening, but I sure was ready to hit the sack once I got home…
We did get the chance to have a little fun on the weekend before the school and work schedules started up again. We met my parents on Sunday for an early birthday dinner at a favorite Mexican place.
When it is your birthday, you get to wear a sombrero.
A big thank you for the lovely cards and birthday wishes that filled my inbox! This community is full of amazing people!
You know what I want for my birthday? I want YOU to place a pin in my KnitBlogger Geography map! This is a new project that I heard about through Bonne Marie. Other knitters have maps too–make sure to sign theirs as well!
I had a great time compiling the pomegranate post. Thank you for your interest and comments on it! I so enjoyed seeing your experiences with pomegranates, as well as your stories of your own personal treasures. Cathi shared her extensive city mug collection and some information about her travels past and future, and Cathy shared her adorable panda collection and more information on how to help these endangered animals.
If you share information about your own collection in a blog entry, I would love to know about it!
Socktoberfest news will be in the next entry, so stay tuned!
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOLLY! It sounds like you had a great one, except for the cold. I hope the year ahead is filled with great things - and lots of knitting!
Happy 25th Birthday Lolly — You’re just a baby (2 years my junior) *wink* …
What a great post about those two knits and the yarn used. Very informative.
Oh, I forgot it was your birthday, I hope you won’t think I’m a bad friend
We’ll have to do a little celebrating this weekend, woo!!
I think it’s official that we should start a “Debbie Bliss Yarns are Overrated Crap” movement. I was just looking at my baby cashmerino socks yesturday, and they’re totally fuzzing and pilling. WTF? It is really sad about your tempting though, it was very cute and flattering on you. Perhaps the yarn would be better suited to something that wouldn’t make a big difference if it stretched, like a vest or something. Something that you can layer
Happy (belated) Birthday, girl! We get to be the same age for all of 9 days. And I must admit, my Tempting has never seen the light of day. I finished it and promptly threw it in a drawer. It has since been moved to the out of season clothes chest but I know I’m going to end up frogging it and making something else. Maybe a Spring Fling cardigan!
Happy Birthday! How does 25 feel?
That is a great idea to tell how the yarn and pattern wears.
Thanks for sharing! I have never worked with Cotton-Ease, which is probably just as well since it is discontinued. I do like that pattern though, if I can find a good sub for the yarn I might have to give it a go-looks comfy! Tempting is such a pretty sweater, but I agree that the yarn should be something light and also have a little elasticity to it, so it can stretch some but retain its shape. Very pretty color, hope you can find a project that is better suited for the yarn if that is the way you decide to go.
Everyone should wear a sombrero on their birthday ;-)! Glad to hear you got to do some “observing”!
Happy Birthday!!! You snuck that one on us, didn’t you?! I haven’t had that problem with Cotton-Ease, but I machine wash and dry everything I’ve knit from it.
Happy birthday! Hope that among the sombreros and the tissues for your cold you got some nice presents (not that I have anything against sombreros…).
Happy birthday! See, we *are* cosmically connected!
The only thing is that you’re much, much younger. Savor that! hahahaa
I’m knitting a little somethin’ somthin’ with Cotton Ease right now after having sacked away skeins and skeins of it this summer. I’m not really finding it my favorite yarn. It knits up really nicely as far as tension and stitch regularity, etc., go, but isn’t as soft as I thought it would be. I think it’s ideal for kid clothes, which is what I’m working on, so that’s good. Did you toss Rhapsody in Blue in the dryer? I wonder what that would be like…
Have a fabulous day!
Happy belated birthday, Lolly! I hope the next year brings you everything you are hoping for and more.
P.S. Finally finished my Socktober socks, am I last?
Happy birthday!! Ugh, 25 was harder than 30, in my opinion. I left you a pin!!!!
Happy Birthday!!! Looks like you went to Chevy’s. Gotta love them on birthday for the free hat!
Another fabulous Lolly post! Happy belated b-day! We went out for Mexican for my birthday this summer too! Gotta love a good Margarita to ring in another year.
Hope you had a lovely birthday!!
Happy Birthday!
Cashmerino Aran is my favorite yarn to work with, but like you I’ve found that it does not wear well. It stretches A LOT, then becomes limp, floppy, and fuzzes almost instantly. I’m thinking if it needs to be knitted much more tightly, in a much smaller needle size than 8. Debbie Bliss is definitely overrated.
I didn’t know yesterday was your birthday Lolly! Happy Birthday! I hope it was fun
I love that you are reviewing your experinces with the yarns and patterns in your projects. This is such great information to have when considering whether to tackle a specific project.
so many knitbloggers with november b-days! (ok, maybe i’m just noticing them since i’m a november b-day too) hope it was a good one!!
Happy Birthday! Great idea to share about how our knits stand up to the test of wearing and washing. Out of everything I knitted last year the only two that will not go back to the frog pond are Rogue cardigan knitted in Rowan Aran Tweed and Ribby Cardigan knitted in Peruvian HIghland yarn (although that is pilling a bit)!
Happy birthday lady!
Now my comments on Cashmerino Aran…I don’t like it at all. It was amazing to knit with, really. But I’ve worn my pink sweater 4 times and it’s piling and looking fuzzy. So not good. It’s not cheap yarn too. I am very, very disappointed…
I am glad you felt a little better after your nap yesterday. I am sure you are happy you have the rest of the week to recooperate from your cold. I love your pictures. Check out my updated blog…it is a long one. Love you! XXOO
Happy Birthday Lolly!! I hope you feel better soon. BTW, did you know you look like Hillary Duff? Cute as a button!
iyiyi! lookie at da hottie in the sombrero! hottness!
I feel your pain with the Dbyarn…you know I do. It is so pretty on you…you should save it for special occasions…I think it is so classic and pretty on you - not boxy! The pilling? Well that is another story…ack.
Just think you are now 1/4 century old. esh. I’m now into my 30s…so enjoy it! you are mahvelous~!
Happy belated b-day!
I don’t even bother to block Cotton-Ease. It’s going to “grow”. I made a vest that was nice and cute, then I washed it and it made me look like a box. I still love the stuff but I’m just careful to use it for things that are exact and don’t have to be blocked.
The picture of you in Tempting looks great but I’ve heard several times that Tempting should be knit a size or two smaller, so I understand the disappointment in the sizing. To bad you have to frog it.
Well, I share your angst at the loss of cotton ease. But Lion Brand MAY have redeemed themselves from what I hear about the cashmere that they are now introducing. Unfortunately, I have been unable to actually see it it person as of yet. I am waiting anxiously . . . .
As far as Tempting. I knit it up for the spring (I wore it at a first communion and at easter). I used Karabella Aurora 8 in the cornflower blue color. LOVE IT! It has worn beautifully and has kept it’s shape well. If you ever decide to dare to be ‘tempting’ again, try it in Aurora 8!
What a great idea to share how your knitted garments have held up over time. It’s so true that it’s a major part of the knitting process.
And happy belated birthday to you!
Happy Birthday Lolly. God, I feel old these days!
Anyway, I made the Pinup Queen from Stitch n Bitch in exactly the same yarn (colour too) It pills like mad, but I love the shaping. So I keep it because the garment is good. I need a sweater shaver though.
Happy Birthday Lolly. I love Rhapsody and it looks great on you. I’m sorry Tempting isn’t working out. It’s really cute, but I too hate yarn that pills.
Again, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Lolly!!! I’m so glad you got to celebrate with your parents over the weekend. Love the Rhapsody and sombrero combo.
Sorry to hear that last night wound up being more of an observance than a celebration with your cold. That just means you’ll have to celebrate extra hard this coming weekend! Great idea for a post, and reading everybody’s comments, it looks like the Cashmerino might be overrated. I’ve been wanting to knit Tempting for a while, and I was hoping to make it with the Cashmerino since it doesn’t call for too much yarn. I’ll definitely be thinking twice about that one now. Does Wool Ease have the same stretching issues as Cotton Ease? You look great in both sweaters! 
Happy Belated Birthday Lolly!!!
Belated Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Lolly! Sorry your body decided to party down by giving you a cold.
Rhapsody in Blue is beautiful and I’m sorry it’s being a pain in the butt. I’ve never had problems with the Cotton Ease stretching, but I’ve only made tank tops with it, never anything with sleeves and much substance. I was so disappointed when I found out it was being discontinued that I ran out and grabbed everything I could get my hands on (assuming it wasn’t ugly) and now I have an embarassingly large bag full of it in the closet in our spare bedroom. I think I am down to 50 skeins of it now.
Happy birthday! Sounds like you had a good one.
Nice idea with the wearing of the knits. I better work on something I can wear besides shawls! Happy Birthday
You have to let me know about the Cotton Ease….what people say. I have a whole load of it stored away b/c it was $1.99 at JoAnn when it was going to be discontinued.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
OH YES, that Debbie Bliss Cash. Aran pisses me off. Same thing about the heaviness. I did my Nothing But a T out of it and am going to rip.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Lolly, you’re awesome. Your blog’s always a joy to read. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday, Lolly!
I don’t know about Cotton Ease but many of my cotton things seem to get shorter and wider, except long sleeves, which always seem to get longer.
Happy Birthday! Your Debbie Bliss experience is very disappointing! I have a few balls in the stash that I was going to use for a scarf…
Thanks for the low down on your two projects. I like that idea and will have to do a report of my own. How about once a month? That’s assuming I have that many FO’s to report on!!!
Sorry to hear about the cotton ease growth. Have you tried drying it? Most Lion Brand yarn is machine washable and dryable, so it might help keep it from stretching if you threw it in the dryer for a bit. I’d probably not put anything else in there with it though…
As a side note, do you know if Cotton Ease compares to TLC Cotton Plus? I’m using Cotton Plus for a Christmas project and it looks nice for now, but I’m worried that it’ll grow like your sweater did…
Happy Birthday Lolly!
Happy Birthday!!!! I posted to your map - it’s great fun isn’t it??
I hope you had a beautiful day.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOLLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 25 huh? I THINK I remember being 25 ;). I’m so sorry you weren’t feeling well, there seems to be a lot of that going around lately, and you have so much going on with school that it must be even harder for you. Your sweaters are gorgeous, I have so much respect for people that knit clothing that actually fits and looks good on them! Like you, I love the feel of cotton sweaters, but I too have found that it tends to widen and shorten instead of the other way around. I’ve never quite figured out why that is.
oh, and by the way… you pull off that sombrero fantastically!
Nice to see a fellow MD knitter! Glad to find your blog!
Belated Happy Birthday, Lolly!!! =)
I enjoyed reading your reviews of past projects. While DB Cashmerino Aran is a lovely yarn and one of my favorites, I don’t think I would ever knit a garment out of it.
Hope you recover quickly from your cold!
Happy Birthday! Nice sombrero
You look great in Rhapsody and I’m glad it’s held up (besides the reblocking issues). The cashmerino aran? umm I would think knitting it tighter than you think would help in the pilling dept. How about making up your own little sweater with it? maybe a cute raglan?
First of all, a belated Happy Birthday to you, Lolly! I have to say you looked gorgeous in Tempting … and you’re right, you did wear the sweater very well! I haven’t used Debbie Bliss yarns yet, but I have read quite a lot about it’s being not hard wearing. So, I have little motivation to try it … so many other good quality yarns I’d like to try.
Happy birthday Lolly!
I too used DB Cashmerino Aran for my Tempting. I haven’t noticed much pilling, but that may be due to the color (lt. grey) not showing the pills.
Amy
Happy Birthday! Yay for November birthdays.
Happy Birthday Lolly! Sombreros are required for a super fun birthday! =)
Hey Lolly! Happy belated birthday! I’m so sorry to have missed the actual day, but I’ve been a bit under the weather myself. I’m glad you were able to do something in advance of your birthday, since you got a bit sick on your b-day.
I don’t like my Tempting either. I thought maybe mine bagged out, b/c of the yarn I used, but it’s good to know that the yarn you used did the same thing. Tempting will probably be ripped by next summer to be used for something else. What that will be, I don’t know at this point. But mine, after only wearing it twice, has bagged out and once I washed it, it didn’t spring back into shape. It’s just a shapeless top that isn’t very flattering anymore. Off with its thread!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOLLY!!! I love the sombrero!
I made “Under the Hoodie” from Stitch and Bitch from cashmerino aran, and it pills like mad! Which makes me mad!!
Happy birthday! You’re adorable!
(PS. I lived in Clovis, NM, not too awful far from Roswell.)
I was thinking that the pink sweater I made from Cotton Ease was getting shorter–and now it seems that fear is confirmed. I was considering reknitting the bottom hem anyways. As for Tempting, mine ist still on the needles. I am trying to decide between a) ripping just a bit and adding longer sleeves or b) finishing it as quickly as possible to free up the needles, since several folks seem to agree with you that it doesn’t hold up so well.
Happy, happy birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOLLY!!!!!!!! I’m sorry to be late with the birthday wishes - sure hope you have had a wonderful time turning 25 - despite the cold! (Hint: If more symptoms or more schoolwork impinges on birthday celebrating… have one more sombrero and several more margaritas!!)
PS - Thanks for a great post - I always heard the DB pilled like that, now I know for sure. Thanks for saving me the money!
Happy Birthday to you! Mine was yesterday (Nov 16th) and one full year older than you. 26. Welcome late twenties. Kind of! Hope your day was wonderful.
Happy Birthday!
I’ve been enjoying your blog since finding it through Socktoberfest. I actually knitted 2 or 3 pairs of socks on October.
I was at our local Art Museum the other day and saw something about pomegrantates and it made me think of you. How odd am I that random things in Art Museum shops make me think of people I have never met?
Happy birthday Lolly! My boyfriend’s birthday was yesterday. He’s not close to 25 anymore, which amuses me to no end to tell him (of course I’m not 25 anymore either but I’m closer than he is!).
I’m glad I heeded other warnings about a Cashmerino garment, and your Tempting just tells me I made the right decision to do a scarf and hat and return the other balls instead. I did Tempting in Cotton Ease, and I never wore it outside the house. It was way too big and shapeless on me.
Lolly! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! That sombrero looks fab on you.
I hate that your rhapsody is stretching like that. I’m having a similar problem with Rowan’s summer tweed. I need to reblock that baby. Big hugs!
Happy (late) Birthday!!! I’m so glad you did this review, it was very informative! I’ve had similiar problems with cotton yarn growing with each wash, but the blocking didn’t help, so at least you’ve got that going for the sweater. And I think pilling is the nature of cashmere. All my cashmere sweaters pill like crazy and I just use a little electric de-fuzzer on them on a regular basis. You might try a scarf, maybe backyard leaves, for the cashmerino aran. Maybe it wouldn’t pill so much and it would be gorgeous in that pink.
happy happy happy birthday to the nicest lady in the blogosphere! hope you are feeling better and had a great day.
Belated Happy Birthday Lolly! I hope you had a great one.
Thanx for the sweet condolances
Happy Birthday! I’m glad that you found your way over to my blog. Welcome back!
Oh, I love the idea of later telling others about wear and tear on patterns, yarns and knits. I will have to do an entry on that…Oh yes, and I will agree that cotton ease is one of my ost favorite yarns too. I am making a sweater out of cotton ease as I type. It is too bad that it is discontinued. *sniff* Happy Belated Bday to you too. HUGS!
Happy Birthday! That was a really informative post! Thanks! Now I am not so tempted to make tempting! On to something that will hold up better…
Oh my…how did I not comment here! Happy Birthday!! You look great in a sombrero! LOL
You indeed to GET the idea of the process. It does go on and on as you wear the garment. You’ve made some good choices and, like me, you’ve learned what works best.
Thank you Lolly for being such a great pal;-)
Y’know, despite the problems with the yarns, those FOs look absolutely darling on you. P.S. Happy Birthday.
Congrats! It sounds like you had a great birthday! I started to knit Tempting - but I frog(ed)(?) it! Perhaps I will try again, I liked yours!
Thanks for the yarn reviews, wearing well is one of my biggest concerns when I shop for yarn. Happy Birthday, the sombrero really works for you!
thanks for the advice about the yarn… i have never used the cashmerino aran, and i will think twice before i start an project with it
happy birthda lauren 
Unfortunately, that is the nature of Debbie Bliss yarns, to pill and not stand up so well. I have a hat made from cashmerino aran, and I wouldn’t make anything larger than that or anything that rubs against itself (like a sweater does) with it. If I remember correctly, the gauge is 18sts/4″, and knitpicks.com makes a peruvian highland wool that wears VERY well & is VERY soft and is only $1.79 for 110yds that knits to that gauge. I’m, eventually, going to make a Tempting for myself out of the Knit Picks yarn (I think they call it “Wool of the Andes”).
As for the cotton, not sure about that brand, but cotton stretches pretty badly, yes, that’s the nature of cotton, unfortunately.
Happy Birthday, even if I’m coming to the wishes late. My brother’s was the 17th, and my son’s will be sometime this month, if he ever decides to leave my body.