Couching test

Here are my notes on the couching experiment.

First, I should note that it is a little easier if you thread the yarn through the foot and then attach the foot to the machine.

I let the yarn feed in automatically and tried straight stitch and zigzag at various settings.

The zigzag stitches that were wider than the yarn had a tendency to tunnel the fabric, which is more apparent from the backside.

Note that the sample was photographed unpressed.

I gradually lengthened the zigzag stitch towards the end of the sample, ending at a stitch length of 7.0. I like the look of the longer stitch length with the zigzag stitch and the color of the thread adds another dimension.

The straight stitch thread virtually disappears into the yarn for a very different look. Here’s a close up for comparison.

If you have any suggestions and inspirational examples of couching used in garment sewing, please let me know.

 

ETA

Found a link to a SewNews article where couching is used to create an interesting coordinated accent fabric that is then used on the collar and for the button tabs of a jacket. Click on photo for link.

Here is a photo of the sample all nicely pressed. Unsurprisingly it makes a big difference.

Famous quote

Ever heard of the famous quote from the notorious Wallis Simpson?

“You can never be too rich or too thin”.

Well ….. you may have heard this quote but what you may NOT be aware of is that the quote is a misleading truncation of a larger quote.

Allow me to restore some accuracy to the historical record.

One day, Wallis was hanging out with some of her glam fashionista pals at knit night. Having no children or day jobs, Wallis and her husband were free to idle away their hours in crafty pursuits. In fact, Edward turned out to be a genius at needlepoint, but I digress.

That particular evening, Wallis and her friends were bemoaning the size of their stashes, in that pseudo-exasperated way that people often do right before they rush out and acquire yet more yarn. Wallis’ comment was “You can never be to rich or too thin or have too much yarn”.

Of course, this conversation was overheard by some snarky blogger who went on to publicize a misrepresentation of the original quote, and the rest, as they say, is history. But Wallis’ fashionista fiberista friends told everybody in their knitting circles what Wallis had actually said, and they told other people, who told other yarny folk and so on. So, although the wider public may not be aware of it, us knitting and crocheting peeps definitely respect the original quote.

In the spirit of the accurate quote, allow me to present my latest acquisitions:

A delicious bag of pastel canary colored silk (very summer 2012) from Elann, quite a steal at $29.50/bag topped up with a few random yarns that caught my attention.

I’m always very intrigued by fashion yarns that blend fibers. I like getting some test skeins even though there are very few true single skein projects out there and these too often wind up as odd curiosities that I don’t know how to use. I got a couple of skeins of Louisa Harding Kashmir DK and one skein of Gefrida Satata, a bulky yarn with a 90% cotton 10% nylon composition (that’s the one I started playing with in the photo).

I’m loving these coral/peachy/marigold colors right now. The Satata yarn has a soutache braid type of feeling to it and it seems as though it might be interesting to check it out as a fabric trim – I’m going to pull out my couching foot and have a play.

New year, new cast-ons

Almost a new cast-on because this cast-on won’t be happening until January 13th.

I signed up for a mystery KAL, Kinetik from designer Laura Nelkin.

Laura Nelkin is a noted knitting designer who particularly specializes in beaded knitting and this will  be my first time using beads in knitting.

Laura Nelkin also just happens to be a Cayuga local, plus a LYS is hosting some gatherings for participants of this KAL so this is kind of like locavore knitting so to speak, or a locaknit as I am calling it, which should be fun.

The mystery part is an interesting touch for me as somebody who pours over photos of a pattern before deciding to knit it myself and I’m looking forward to seeing how this plays out.

Incidently, noted fiberista and author of the abecedarium of knitted letters is also a local resident, a pretty good couple of knitterati for such a small place don’t you think?

And now I’m off to figure out yarn choice. On her blog, Laura Nelkin is giving away the yarn and beads she used for her own Kinetik if you leave a comment by Jan 10th. I’m not holding my breath, but you should hop over there and leave a comment if you’re feeling lucky!