Friday, November 21, 2008

Chat Back for November 21

Answering questions from comments and email.

More Lake Effect Snow today.

Knowing it's all supposed melt by Sunday, I'm content to stay home today and enjoy watching the fluffy flakes come down.



JoLynn asked . . .
Right side /wrong side of caston is the smooth side or bumpy side?
Got me to wonder, what I had learned originally? and from what source?
What is your right side of the caston?

I think it's standard to consider the side that looks like a crocheted chain, probably what you're called the smooth side, to be the right side. That's what most pattern writers and I like to use for the right side.

But really, if someone likes the bumpy side as the right side there's nothing wrong with that. Sometimes it does look better especially when doing a garter stitch border.


Sherilan asked . . .
Could you mention again how you position the k7p1 to go down the foot evenly?

There are several ways to do it.

Lately I've been doing it the easy way and having the 32 stitch heel and the 32 stitch instep both be k3,p,p7,p,k7,p,k7,p,k4. It's next to impossible to notice the lopsided stitch on the finished sock.

During a more perfectionist time in my knitting life, I would use 31 stitches heel side, 33 stitches instep side and center the k7 panel down the heel side and instep side. When knitting the heel I would Make1 in the center to bring it up to 32 stitches. When decreasing the gussets I would bring the heel side back down to 31. Toe decreases then needed to start on the instep side in order to come out even at the end to Kitchener.

Jean asked . . .
Love the contrast between the cardinal and the snowflakes falling. Do you leave any food out for them in the winter?

Yes. And every other season as well. Long time readers here have seen dozens of bird pictures taken at the feeders.

We buy sunflower seeds by the 50 pound bag.

On the east side of the house where we sit at our computers there is
  • A ten foot plank full of black oil sunflower seeds specifically for the cardinals who don't like to perch on a feeder. All the other birds and squirrels eat from it as well. If there's anything left, the possums clean it off after dark.
  • A hanging tube feeder with black oil sunflower seeds.
  • A thistle seed feeder always loaded with finches, especially the Goldfinches.

On the west (kitchen) side of the house
  • A peanut feeder - the one in the picture. That's a Tufted Titmouse getting ready to fly off with a peanut in its mouth.
  • A double side suet feeder.
  • A hanging tube feeder with black oil sunflower seeds.



Debi asked . . .
I love the cotton/hemp version of the February Lady Sweater....is it knitting up as a true worsted weight?

The Elann site suggests 20 sts/inch on a #5!! Could that be a mistake?

The Summer Spice short sleeve gansey I knit with Coto Canapone was 22 st/4 inches on #4s. It was a nice firm fabric but not so tight that it hurt my hands to knit.

I almost always require a needle size one less than the pattern calls for to get gauge.

February Lady calls for worsted weight yarn and #8 needles for 18 st/4 inches in garter stitch. I swatched with #8s, #7s, and #6s. The 6s were too tight, the 8s were an unacceptable floppy loose fabric. The #7s were just right and gave me gauge right on.

If the Elann site says 20 sts/4 inches, that's reasonable. If it really says 20 sts/inch that's just silly.

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