I've read that many knitters were annoyed by the low meterage in the Colinette Jitterbug yarn. One skein is more often that not, inadequate to complete a pair of socks. Purchasing a second skein results in a ridiculously expensive pair of socks. Whilst, we all deserve to treat ourselves, it basically means that Jitterbug is probably off the cards for regular sock knitting.
I didn't know this when I went to visit Colinette last year. I bought some Jitterbug drenched in the most beautifully rich colours. I love the intensity of the colours and the softeness of the yarn. Worried that I would not have enough to complete I project, I managed to acquire another 20g from another knitter in a swap.
Although both are Velvet Plum, the variation in the dyelots are HUGE.
Here is the start of a plain pair of socks for the hubbler. It's ok that it's plain because I'm working on a bigger project at the moment.... yes, believe it or not, I've picked up the forest path stole again. (Which might mean that my dad won't get a pair of socks any time soon.. I am a BAD daughter.)
I'm using the spare 20g for the heels and toes. The colour is far from a perfect match, but I suspect that after a few washes, no one would be the wiser. The yarn sure does smell vinegary. I'm going to bet that these babies are going to run (like the wind) in the wash.
I weighed the skein before starting and my jitterbug skein was 111g (stated weight on label was 100g).
The jitterbug is really lovely to knit with. It's definitely thicker than koigu or CTH. It is also wonderfully soft and springy.... a girl can get used to this and easily justify making socks from this regularly. I already know how nice they are to wear, thanks to Meg
wow the difference in dyelots is unreal - but your solution is brilliant!
Posted by: catsmum at February 3, 2008 05:07 AMI like your complementary heels (and toes in good time) there is a fair old difference in the dyelots, isn't there? K x
Posted by: Kathleen at January 19, 2008 05:35 PMI do like the color & I have a skein too. You are so clever to use the different color for the heels - makes it an interesting contrast. I have also knitted a pair of socks with Jitterbug (Oyster Blush) & still have leftover as I have small feet. Thanks for the warning on the color run.
Posted by: Ann at January 18, 2008 10:40 PMWhat?!! Jitterbug has little yardage AND runs when you wash it? I am super bummed. I'm new to the sock knitting and bought one skein as a treat to myself. I will have to be very careful while knitting and washing it. Thanks for the tip!
Posted by: Senja at January 17, 2008 02:37 PMFollowing comments on possible yarn shortage for a pair of socks: one might want to consider Elizabeth Zimmermann's suggestion for "afterthought heels". One could just knit the sock from cuff to toe (or vice versa) and then knit on another toe (contrast yarn, if necessary) where the heel would be. Another idea would be to knit "short row" heels where you would ordinarily knit gusseted heels (less yarn used overall). I just recently attempted the "afterthought" heel -- not bad! I have, in the past, knitted several pairs with "short-row" heels. I use the short row technique quite a bit, especially when I know the recipient doesn't need to know the finer points of handknit sock heels.
Posted by: Bobbi at January 16, 2008 09:29 PMEven if the colours are quite different from dyelot to dyelot, on the heels and toes won't be so bad, and at least the colours go nicely together too.
Posted by: Ria at January 16, 2008 09:17 PMJitterbug socks are lovely and comfortable to wear. I was able to get a pair of shortish socks for me, size 9, from one skein. I have found that they do run like mad though and my socks are now quite washed out looking.
Posted by: Dianne at January 16, 2008 07:43 PMOh no! Guess what I'm knitting with at the moment! Thank you for the heads up Polly, I am due to turn the heel tonight so I will have to think carefully about how to proceed.
Posted by: Rebecca at January 16, 2008 07:03 PMThanks for sharing your Jitterbug information! I plan on knitting the skein I have toe up using the pattern in Interweave Knits. I did notice that Sheri at the Loopy Ewe is now selling half skeins of it.
The color you chose is gorgeous...so sorry the second skeins dye lot was so different!
Posted by: Rebecca at January 16, 2008 05:55 PMWith short cuffs, I had enough Jitterbug to finish a pair of socks for me. And they are lovely socks to wear. Do be careful when you wash them the first time -- they bleed like you would expect. The color on the socks didn't fade at all but it turned the wash water a bright pink. (Luckily I wasn't washing any other light colored socks at the same time.)
Posted by: Sharilyn at January 16, 2008 01:12 PMI love the Jitterbug for socks. I actually prefer it to *whispers* Socks That Rock. But don't tell! I have UK size 7 feet (US 9/9.5?) and have always managed to get a good pair out of 1 skein. Because it is so thick, I don't need to cast on so many stitches and always knit toe up, so I get to use all of the yarn.
Lily
Posted by: Lily at January 16, 2008 10:14 AMThey are going to be lovely! Though I can see the annoying in having to secure extra yarn to be certain to have enough for a pair of socks (which really is important to me as I'm a size 11+) ;-)
Posted by: Karen S at January 16, 2008 08:35 AMColinette Jitterbug is really a nice yarn to knit with, but I've heard newer skeins (as of July or so of last year) have increased the yardage from 267m to 291m. I think I have a skein of the new one in my stash. I have one skein earmarked for a scarf. And last year I got a skein at a store that was having all blue yarns on sale or 50% off (b/c the owner had a baby boy), so I bought an unlikely skein of colinette with purple and blue b/c it was 1/ 2 off of course! I did like working with it and I like short cuffs. My first pair were with the shorter skein, so the cuffs were only 4.5" tall.
Posted by: Wanda at January 16, 2008 04:06 AMI'm so happy you're enjoying the socks enough to make you venture into more socks in jitterbug!
That I managed to finish your pair of socks without running out was a total fluke! I didn't even know then that jitterbug was in danger of running a bit short.
I usually use this handy little calculator to tell me how long to make the leg before doing the heel.
I have always wanted a skein of Jitterbug, the colors are amazing, but have always been daunted by the want of yardage. Maybe I will have to settle for a pair of anklets. I am very curious to see what these look like after a good washing or two, please do post the results. Can't wait to see how that stole comes out.
Posted by: Tracey at January 16, 2008 01:03 AMI've done two pair of Jitterbug. For size 9.5 to 10 (US) feet (depending on the shoe manufacturer).
They do have shorter cuffs - maybe 5 to 6 inches - both with a bit leftover at the end - wound into a golf-ball sized ball, approximately. I prefer shorted cuffs, tho', then I don't have to fuss as much with adjustments for my wider legs!
The first pair is mostly bright turquoise with some bits of other bright colors (blue, magenta, red, if I recall correctly; don't remember the color name). It bled turquoise, red and magenta for several washes but I don't think does anymore. I haven't noticed any fading of the color, but I also haven't compared with my remaining bit of yarn.
The second pair is color blue parrot; just finished a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving and only washed a couple of times, hasn't bled. It's a less intense color. Slightly different feel to the yarn, too - the first pair is significantly softer and seemed to bloom more in the initial wash.
I really like both pairs, and the way they feel on my feet - there's at least one more skein in my stash, waiting for the right combination of pattern and color. Although I may go with another pair plain, the colors are wonderful just plain!
Posted by: Jean Marie at January 15, 2008 11:03 PMSTOP THE PRESSES!!!! The Forest Path Stole returns to the needles?? Must be a full moon or something :)
Nice socks too!
Posted by: Debi at January 15, 2008 10:46 PMI've knit a pair of socks from one skein of Jitterbug, had enough left over to knit a long cuff pair of baby socks AND part of a Vine Lace baby cap... So I suppose it greatly depends on the pattern. I used F. Pea's intro to socks pattern from her blog. I did increase the cast on # but then I have size 8 (U.S.) feet, not small. Your mileage may vary but frankly unless you're knitting for boy-boat feet, or a pattern that consumes yarn, I'd say you'd be fine with one skein.
And you're absolutely right about the yarn color running. The first time I washed them the water was a deep, saturated blue (I had used color Jewel). But the socks still retained their color, go figure... If you'd like to take look, I'm FiberTribe on Ravelry. btw, your colorway is gorgeous!
what a beautiful colour. I've some variegated jitterbug, haven't tried it yet (but it's not as nice a colour as these!)
Posted by: dawn at January 15, 2008 10:15 PMthe colors are gorgeous.
Posted by: carolyn at January 15, 2008 09:48 PMI'm knitting with that very colour at the moment!
I have finished one sock it weighs 53g. I weighed the remaining yarn .... 53g..... It is going to be close...
Posted by: Janine at January 15, 2008 09:46 PMIt's a very clever idea to use the off color yarn for heel and toes! I can tell they look squishy just from the pic!
Posted by: kneuroticknitter at January 15, 2008 09:41 PMI'll take your word that Jitterbug is lovely to wear. It certainly was to knit, but I gifted the pair of socks I made. I had to use something else for the toes of mine, and in that case it was Jaeger Matchmaker Merino. I don't think anyone would ever notice. I have another skein left, and they will be toe-up socks for me.
Posted by: Mandella at January 15, 2008 09:39 PM