KnitPicks Samples Knit Up

I was fortunate enough to be one of the customers who received the latest Knitpicks Catalog with knitable yarn samples inside. In anticipation of knitting a Hanover Jacket from Jean Frost Jackets, I grabbed a #4 Addi Turbo and knit them up in the pseudo rib stitch of the pattern.

I was able to get a good idea what the four yarns are like, but it's difficult to take that tiny swatch and imagine how it would be in a jacket.

The jacket pattern calls for a DK weight at 6 stitches per inch.

The resulting swatches are too small to get an accurate gauge. The approximate gauges listed below are after washing and simple lay-it-on-a-towel blocking.

Merino Style (upper left) in Iris. A 4 ply DK weight yarn, 100% Merino Wool. My approximate gauge 5.5 stitches per inch.

Very nice non-fuzzy yarn with a matte finish and good stitch definition. It's not a soft as the other three and even feels a bit like a cotton blend with elasticity.

I think I'd like knitting with it, but would need to tighten up the gauge to 6 stitches per inch for the jacket.

Andean Silk (upper right) in Lettuce. A 4 ply worsted weight yarn, 55% superfine alpaca, 23% silk, 22% merino wool. My approximate gauge 5.5 stitches per inch.

The sample was in navy blue, so I knit the swatch with a piece of left over yarn from the Backyard Leaves scarf. I already know this is a pleasant yarn to knit. It has a soft halo and a shiny finish. Very rich looking.

Wool of the Andes (lower left) in Evergreen. A 4 ply worsted weight yarn, 100% Peruvian wool. My approximate gauge 5.25 stitches per inch.

Nice, soft, basic wool. Good stitch definition.

Would be a good choice for the jacket except for the gauge. I'll be using it for CIC socks once I get my current CIC sock yarn stash used up.

Andean Treasure (lower right) in Old Rose. A sport weight yarn, 100% baby alpaca. My approximate gauge 6.25 stitches per inch.

moderately fuzzy and heathery. Very soft.

When I first knit the sample I thought the size 4 needle was too large, but the yarn bloomed after washing and the stitches are not too loose at all.