Actually, that's not entirely true. I can swatch and occasionally do swatch, but rarely do so if I've used the yarn before and know how it generally handles.
To avoid a total disaster, I started with a sleeve. This is the beginning of my hildegard. The yarn is Patons Cotton DK. It's a nice mercerised cotton. I hope that I'm knitting it loosely enough to maintain some drape.
The pattern is lovely and as Susan says, one of the best thing about it, is it looks a harder than it actually is. It's not boring stocking stitch and not fiddly colourwork.
It is going slowly though and I plan to lengthen the body by more than a couple of repeats. (I am not going to bear my muffin top to all and sundry. ) The yarn is slightly heavier than the original, so I'll probably end up with a little more width than the original. So need to be careful to not make it too long, since cotton is supposed to strength. It's a nightmare measuring length on these scalloping/chevron patterns.
It's already February and I've made little progress in the IntSweMoDo2010 Knit-along ... so I am definitely more of a straggler than a joiner!
Posted by atu at February 8, 2010 10:29 PM | TrackBackI love that pattern! And...I hate to swatch, too. Almost never, ever, EVER bother with it.
Posted by: Laurie at February 18, 2010 03:30 PMThat's looking superb - can't wait to see the finished article.
Thrilled to see my favorite being knitted by you :)
Posted by: Susan Crowe at February 17, 2010 09:37 AMLove the stitch pattern!Looking Good!
Posted by: garret at February 17, 2010 03:27 AMI like the stitch pattern too. I don't swatch all the time as I am just too impatient & want to cast on immediately.
Posted by: Ann Lim at February 11, 2010 11:37 PMWow that's is beautiful, I couldn't really see the design in the pattern picture. It would also look lovely in socks or a stole!
Posted by: Jacinta at February 10, 2010 10:03 AMLooks great!
The starting with sleeves is a great idea but then again I just love having sleeveless tank tops, especially in our weather!
Posted by: Emy at February 10, 2010 01:51 AM