I Just Don’t Like Variegated Yarn…
February 12th, 2012, 8:48 pm
I spent most of the last week under a duvet, fighting a horrible cold. Could my week get any worse?
It did, however, give me the perfect opportunity to finally finish off sewing up my last outstanding WIP – Beatriz in the Louisa Harding Silkwool. I also managed to knit another entire garment but that’s for another post!
I blogged about the lovely, bargainous yarn purchase of the Silkwool here - Irresistible Yarn
- I’ve finished her.
- She fits.
- The yarn is soft and lovely to work with.
- I had just enough yarn (2 meters left!).
- The pattern is well written and worked well with the yarn.
So whats wrong??
I just don’t like variegated yarns when they are knit up! And I really don’t like this one on me 
Wanna see?
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| From Beatriz Silkwool |
I think Ben summed it up. He said it looked like “partially flayed flesh”! It does look a bit “raw meat” doesn’t it?
There is nothing essentially wrong with this garment but nothing that says “WOW!” to me either.
I think there is a really big lesson for me here – not to be seduced by how lovely hand dyed yarns look in the skein, even if they are a fabulous bargain, because I don’t like the effect when they are knit up! I guess it doesn’t help that I’m quite petite too. I start to disappear behind all that extra visual “noise” – I’m not one for wearing busy patterns either…
Beatriz is actually a very nice pattern, well written, easy to follow and with a pretty eyelet detail in the neckband…
 |
| From Beatriz Silkwool |
The back is straight forward (I always feel I have to show you!) and looks unsurprisingly similar to the front!
 |
| From Beatriz Silkwool |
I’m going to fold my Silky Beatriz up and put her away in the back of the wardrobe until the weather is warmer and I haven’t had such a horrible week. I may just change my mind…
| Completed Knit Report | ||
| Name: | Beatriz | |
| Pattern: | from Rowan’s Lenpur Collection | |
| Yarn: | Louisa Harding’s hand dyed Silkwool | |
| Pattern Problems: | None | |
| Pattern Modifications: | None | |
| Washing and Wearing: | Yarn is soft and wonderful against the skin – suspect it will pill if handled roughly | |
| Knit It Again???: | Pattern yes – yarn yes but only in a solid colour | |
| Difficulty: | Easy | |
| Rating: | 2/5 (Cos I didn’t like the variegation) | |
| Other Postings Relating To This One: | Irresistible Yarn | |
E F Lutt said,
February 13th, 2012, 1:43 am
Errm, agree with Ben. tee hee
josiekitten said,
February 13th, 2012, 7:58 am
Well I think it looks lovely! Please wear it and enjoy it!
Shirley I said,
February 13th, 2012, 3:50 pm
This jumper is beautifully knitted – but I have to agree with you – I love knitting with plain yarns (4ply or dbl.knit) and only use variegated yarn for socks.
Katherine said,
February 13th, 2012, 5:03 pm
Yes, that variagation does look a little busy on you… perhaps you could over dye it darker? (Although, not much yarn left to do a dye swatch with, to see whether you like the colour, and that it won’t completely wreck your work).
Terry (terdotty on rav) said,
February 13th, 2012, 6:42 pm
If you had just posted this as your latest FO I would have just thought ‘another lovely and beautifully knitted jumper from Susan. I agree with your misgivings about many variegated yarns, but, honestly do think that this colour suits you although don’t think that ‘flayed flesh’ will catch on as a name for a colourway! Anyway, I think it loks good on you, the fit is perfect – maybe you can grow to like it?
Juliettecherry said,
February 14th, 2012, 4:34 pm
Hello Susan, just came across your blog. I agree with your comment about variegated yarn, but I love how it knits up in a fairisle pattern. I am always tempted by how it looks in the ball/skein too. but just finished a little jumper with variegated pattern on white background ten row stripes. Looks very nice!
Christine said,
February 16th, 2012, 4:20 pm
Hello!
I think it lools lovely on you!
ang said,
February 18th, 2012, 1:18 am
well i dont like varigated yarns either. darn it. so why do i keeep buying them. i dunno……
your sweater is nice on you !
Linda said,
February 19th, 2012, 6:09 pm
That looks beautiful on you, and I would never have thought about raw meat if you hadn’t mentioned it lol. As josiekitten said wear it and enjoy it. I like varigated yarns for kids stuff.
Fleur Cotton said,
February 27th, 2012, 2:00 pm
I’m always a little disappointed when I knit with variegated yarns, the colours always look better as a ball of wool than when knitted up….although your jumper looks more of a success than some I’ve had!!
Happy Knitting
Fleur xx
fleurcotton.blogspot.com
Crystal said,
February 28th, 2012, 7:55 pm
I actually really like this sweater on you! The colour definitely suits, and your strong glasses bring attention back up to your face and away from the variation in the yarn. I think if this pattern was knit in a solid yarn it would be a bit boring. Maybe that’s just me though! Either way, I do hope you learn to love it – it’s always a sad day finishing something that feels mediocre.
Karen Berthine said,
April 14th, 2012, 9:46 pm
And I thought I was the only person who didn’t like variegated yarn! Tweed is as close as I can go to variegated. Perhaps it’s reminds me of all the cotton tshirts I tie dyed when young.