...or
Sometimes I obssess about things!
When I started this...
...I wanted to intersperse the colors, but I didn’t want plain old stripes. The notion of a slip-stitch pattern presented itself and this seemed like a good idea. The slipped stitches on the last row of one color would move up and be worked with the new color in the next row. This way, the colors would kind of bleed into one another without a straight-as-a-ruler dividing line.
I was going through my notebook of stitch patterns and ran across something called the Half-Linen stitch that looked likely. I had also heard of the Linen stitch, but I didn’t know how to work it - so Half Linen it was :)
I have since found out how to work the Linen stitch and these are an interesting pair.
Combination swatch
From the bottom up (because they were worked that way :) they are:
1. Linen stitch, solid color
2. Linen stitch, two colors
3. Half-Linen stitch, solid color
4. Half-Linen stitch, two colors
Linen stitch, solid
On an odd number of stitches:
Row 1: K1, *sl1 wyif, K1*; repeat between *‘s to end.
Row 2. K1, P1, *sl1 wyib, P1*, repeat between *‘s, end K1
Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern.
Because stitches are slipped on both sides, there is a lot of vertical compression. Any design made with this stitch pattern would require more yarn than say garter or stockinette stitch - a fair bit more yarn. The fabric is quite solid and sturdy and while there is some stretch along the width, there is almost no stretch from top to bottom.
Linen stitch, bi-color
You can see the pattern much more clearly in the two color swatch. I worked this with very different colors so the individual stitches would show clearly, but I kept thinking that using two colors that were closer in tone - ecru and taupe or teal and royal blue, for example - could yield really elegant results.
Half-Linen stitch, solid
On an odd number of stitches:
Row 1: K1, *sl1 wyif, K1*; repeat between *‘s to end.
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: K2, *sl1 wyif, K1*; repeat between *‘s, end K1
Row 4: Purl
In this version, stitches are slipped only on the right side. You’d still have to factor in vertical compression in determining yarn quantities but you wouldn’t require as much more yarn as you would with the parent stitch pattern. There is a bit more give in the fabric with this stitch and it tends to spread out a bit more. Half-Linen also has more drape than Linen does.
Half-Linen stitch, bi-color
I think both solid and bi-color versions of the Half-Linen are very handsome and am using the stitches both ways in the stole/throw.
The swatch was worked with Classic Elite Spotlight cotton on size 6 needles. I have seen it recommended that much larger needles than usual be used if you don’t really want your fabric to be bullet-proof - especially with the Linen stitch. On the other hand, sometimes bullet-proof can be good…
I pass along from the horse’s mouth (I was at the Classic Elite Mills this afternoon), for those that don’t already know, that Classic Elite is discontinuing Spotlight cotton. I will miss it as it’s been my favorite cotton yarn for some time now, soft, stable and just a real pleasure to work with. My typical luck :)
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I like experimenting with the linen stitch and its variations. One long-abandoned UFO of mine used Sarah Bradberry’s online pattern for a small bag. The variations on this stitch seem to go on forever but I always forget to take notes to remember which I liked!
I wondered when Elann carried Spotlight if it was going to be totally discontinued or just some colors. I really loved knitting with it but haven’t been pleased with how it wears. Probably because it’s 100% cotton & not a blend. :) Still…I might have to look for a few balls before they’re gone for good! Thanks for the heads up. :)
I like the two half-linen versions more and a close third is the two color linen stitch. The half seems to have more texture. I love texture.
When I first started knitting a few years ago I just assumed that the yarns had always been around and would always be around. I had no idea that they were so seasonal, like high fashion—here one minute and gone the next. It takes me forever to find out about nice yarns. As soon as I do find one it is discontinued. What’s up with that?
it seems lots of the cottons are taking a hike- that’s bad for those of us who live in the ‘land of cotton’- i know that working with it has its drawbacks, but geez, it can create finished products with just the proper amount of warmth and such a wonderful lack of the ‘itch factor’- i will go sulk quietly now-
stay happy-
Rob - Thanks for the pattern link. Though she calls it Linen, she’s really using the Half-Linen stitch. The variations really are interesting and one of the things I want to try is using more than two colors in various combinations.
I lucked into three hanks of nice cotton in compatible colors (1 cream and fawn marl, 1 light gold and 1 beige) and I think one of these stitches would make a sensational (and sturdy) bag :)
Bron - I imagine a blend might work out better in the long run, but I was planning on having Spotlight to work with for a long time yet. Oh well - I’m sure something else will pop up eventually.
Aarlene - I think I like the Half-Linen better myself, though the Linen does make a really solid fabric and that’s worth knowing about.
I don’t know why it works that way either, except that it’s certainly annoying. As soon as I find something I love, it’s discontinued. I almost expect it to happen now :)
Barb - Well, I know Classic Elite has another cotton yarn, Provence - 100% Egyptian cotton. It’s light weight and has a lovely hand and sheen, but it’s a lot more expensive than Spotlight was. I was also told that there will be a new yarn in the spring - a cotton silk blend - but I wouldn’t bet on a reasonable price for that one either, though I expect it will be lovely.
