That’s it. That’s the advice. Don’t buy superwash. It’s bad for the environment, it’s bad for people living near the plants that scour and superwash wool. This post is part of a serie of posts where I give you a detailed account of what superwash wool is , how it is created and what are … Continue reading Knitting advice Nr. 11: Don’t buy superwash wool (part 3)
Update to Knitting Advice Nr. 11: Don’t buy superwash wool (part 2)
I have made a significant update on this post. The updated part is at the end of the text, in the section called : "Research on chlorination". In this update, there is an explanation on the trade-off that is the Hercosett process : less damage on the structure of the wool fibre and the possibility … Continue reading Update to Knitting Advice Nr. 11: Don’t buy superwash wool (part 2)
Knitting advice Nr. 12: Knit your superwash wool at a tighter gauge (your garment will be more durable)
Superwash wool is meant to be more "convenient": easily washable, and even, some claim, easily driable ! We all know this only partly true. We've seen what happens to our knits that we mistakenly put on an ordinary washing cycle. They don't turn out good. It never occurred to me to put the poor wrench … Continue reading Knitting advice Nr. 12: Knit your superwash wool at a tighter gauge (your garment will be more durable)
Knitting Advice Nr. 11: Don’t buy superwash wool (Part 2)
That's it. That's the advice. Don't buy superwash. It's bad for the environment, it's bad for people living near the plants that scour and superwash wool. Introduction The first superwash treatment: chlorination Chlorination and the structure of the wool fibre the fleece of sheep the wool fibre structure felt Research on chlorination Hercosett process : … Continue reading Knitting Advice Nr. 11: Don’t buy superwash wool (Part 2)
Knitting advice Nr.11: Don’t buy superwash wool (part 1)
That's it. That's the advice. Don't buy superwash. It's bad for the environment, it's bad for people living near the plants that scour and superwash wool. I am aware that these posts about superwash are likely to be the most unwanted and contentious ones I will ever write on this blog. But I have to. … Continue reading Knitting advice Nr.11: Don’t buy superwash wool (part 1)
Knitting Advice Nr. 10 : Don’t use merino wool for stranded colourwork (some wools are much easier to knit with)
Exploring sheep breeds better suited to stranded colourwork than merino wool.
Knitting Advice Nr. 9: Acrylic & co are not suitable for outer winter garment (wet plastic doesn’t keep you warm).
Drawbacks of using synthetic petro-fibers such as acrylic for winter outerwear knits ; where to find cheap 100% wool yarn as a superior choice with insulation and moisture-wicking benefits
Knitting Advice Nr. 8: Your local yarn shop is in the business of selling you stuff, actually (note to self, mainly)
In my city, local yarn shops are quietly disappearing. We used to have about six of them, plus several department stores selling yarn. Now we're down to only two yarn shops and two department stores offering (a little, and mostly low quality) yarn. This, I guess, might be why I tend to get overly sentimental … Continue reading Knitting Advice Nr. 8: Your local yarn shop is in the business of selling you stuff, actually (note to self, mainly)
Knitting Advice Nr. 7: Embrace your negativity (wearability matters)
Understand what knitting patterns mean by positive and negative ease and how to choose patterns you will feel comfortable wearing.
Knitting Advice Nr. 6 : Swatch as you knit (knitting a flat swatch for an item that you will work in-the-round doesn’t work)
How using steeks can enable you to obtain an accurate gauge measurement for a knit worked in-the-round.