Long Post...with lots of photos!

So, I have a fair bit to catch up with, don't I?

First, here's a photo of John, who came into the shop on Saturday (today is Thursday) to purchase some yarn to knit his daughter a Cowichan sweater.

And here is the sweater, close up

He is going to make one for his wife and other daughter too. Amazing work and so quick! The pattern is a free download from Canadian Living magazine from when Princess Diana and Prince Charles married. In order to access the pattern from this link, you have to acccess it through Ravelry.com.

Next, a swatch contest update. The contest ends this Saturday at 5:00 pm, so you "put-it-off-until-later" knitters better get your swatches in soon. As of this moment, no one has got the gauge that the yarn company specifies for the needle size given. No one. And look at all these swatches - 33 in total.

To determine the winner, I am making a spreadsheet that records the stitches and rows per 4 inches, and then I multiplying that number to give me the total number of stitches in a 4 inch square. Then, I am dividing this number by the total number of stitches that the yarn company gives as gauge to give a percentage. The closest to 100% wins. That means someone who has exactly the number of stitches compared to the yarn company's gauge may not win as their row gauge may be off. Since maths fascinate me, I'll show you what I mean. Let's say knitter A has a gauge of 17 stitches and 26 rows, and Knitter B has a gauge of 18 stitches and 24.5 rows. They are both really close to the gauge of 18 stitches and 26 rows, but knitter A would win with 96.444% of the total stitches. Knitter B has 94.231% ot the total stitches.

This is all hypothetical at the moment as there is no knitter a or b, I was just pulling those numbers out of the air for the purpose of explaining how I was determining the winner.

Here's a shot of the closest and furthest away stitch wise:

And here's a shot of the closest and furthest away row wise:

John, the knitter, has taken a swatch package and is returning it on Saturday. Can't wait to get his!

I have been knitting too. A cardigan as a test knit for a British designer, my big Brother project (is driving me bonkers!), some boot liners, and some socks. No photos to share there. I actually did almost finish something this summer - a cover for my netbook.

I may be felting it, so the button has not been attached yet.

I'm picking up a very large gift shop order on Monday, so look for an update Tuesday or Wednesday on the swatch contest. and, if anyone want to come in and help measure the swatches - feel free to do do. They're on the lesson room table waiting!