Thinking ahead, I've been scouting out yarn for Metro by Connie Chang Chinchio from the Fall 2010 Twist Collective. It calls for a heavy worsted to knit up at 18 stitches/4 inches.
Included in my last Knitpicks order was a skein of City Tweed to swatch.
First impression is WOW. It's soft, it's easy to knit, stitch and row gauge are right on perfect, and I love the tweed look.
Disclaimer: I reserve the right to change my mind after I wash the swatch. I need to do that soon before I have a keyboard spasm and order enough yarn for the sweater. Last time I swatched with a single skein Knitpicks broke my heart by discontinuing the yarn before I could order enough for the intended sweater.
I love my coral and aqua stitch marker pins. They slide in and out of stitches with ease and every project I knit is full of them. I hook them in stitches to keep track of the row count, to mark increases and decreases, to mark the first row of a stitch pattern, and to slide on the needles and mark divisions in a row.
To get my last Knitpicks order into the free shipping dollar range, I happily ordered TWO packs of their (assumed) identical marker pins.
They're so awful they're unusable. The points are not sharp and not smooth. They snag my stitches. For fingering weight socks, I can't even slide these pins into a stitch because of the excess plastic that didn't get trimmed off the tips.
Don't buy these things! They're worthless.
Your warning is too late. Went and checked, and yes, the dreaded stitch markers are the ones I purchased in my last order. I wondered why they were so inexpensive. I guess caveat emptor would apply here.
ReplyDeleteI love this sweater pattern. If the City Tweed doesn't work out, have you got alternate yarn in mind?
Kellie
I tried those stitch markers too and was disappointed that they were not as smooth and flexible as the salmon and aqua ones...it can really distort my knitting fabric to pry those on and off a stitch.
ReplyDeleteMetro is on my queue--I saw one in person done in a gorgeous scarlet yarn, and it was stunning and draped beautifully.
Thanks for the heads up on the stitch markers.
ReplyDeleteMy initial love affair with Knit Picks has waned. They're great for some things (cheap yarn to dye), but often I've found that I'd rather go elsewhere and spend a bit more money for higher quality items.
I bought some of those terrible stitch markers over a year ago. I thought it would be good to have additional colors, and I expected them to be the same as the Clover ones. I couldn't use them, either. What a poor product! I haven't thrown them away (yet), but I really should.
ReplyDeleteI a more positive note, I knitted a Cobblestone Pullover for my son using City Tweed. I really loved working with it, and my son says he likes it.
Thanks for the tip...I took them out of my cart....Chris
ReplyDeleteYout Metro will be beautiful in the City Tweed. I knit mine with WEBS Valley Yarns Northampton which was also the perfect gauge. It took less than 4 skeins.
ReplyDeleteI have the same bad stitch markers and agree with you they are almost useless.
Not funny those Knit Picks stitch markers. I often marvel at the Clover ones as they are just perfect. I have a full set and always get miffed when they are all "in use" in other projects. I must get myself another packet! You should tell KP about your displeasure!!!
ReplyDeleteI am anxious to hear about your swatch post washing. I love that sweater!!
Nice pattern! I always enjoy and learn from your comments. That's a nifty way you've marked your cables!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful sweater! It will look great in that tweed yarn.
ReplyDeleteMight I suggest using am emery board to sand off the nasty bits on your markers? That might make them usable. I'm very wary of Knitpicks tools. There's a reason they're so cheap.
I'm another fan of the aqua and orange Clover brand. I've been so disappointed with anything but, that I know snap them up when I see them. I'll be extra cautious...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sweater/pattern.
I've used the KP markers and totally agree. They even break after a few uses, although I don't even know why I used them at all. Yuck!
ReplyDeleteI love the Metro. I think it will have to be added to my overflowing queue. I'll be watching to see how yours progresses. :)
I have four stitch markers in the coral & aqua that came as freebies with HiyaHiya circulars, and when I use stitch markers, I make my own out of thread.
ReplyDeleteSo if you'd like these four, email me your address & I'll be happy to put them in a bubblewrap envelope to you.
I appreciate your sharing your viewpoint, thanks for the warning. Can't wait to see what you think of this sweater pattern, it really looks lovely - wish they had it in a dk weight though, could wear it more.
ReplyDeleteI agree the Knit Picks stitch markers are terrible. They don't slide, they break easily and are not very flexible. Love the Clovers ones.
ReplyDelete