Sell or donate? Pattern decision

I really need to and want to declutter.  I kind of got of track the past week or so but am determined to start back up again by going through one drawer or cabinet a day.

I want to reap some monetary benefit from all this stuff and have a yard/garage sale with but that takes a lot of time (and help).  Do you find it better to donate or hold a sale?

My goal is to finish part of the basement for a proper craft room where I can organize all the many materials I use and to also have a place for my kids and grandkids to be crafty.

I decided to knit different sweater/shell/tank out of the Cascade Ultra Pima. 

Lace hem Topping from Creative Knitting July 2008 issue

It’s from Creative Knitting magazine July 2008 issue and it’s featured on the cover.  The yarn is supposed to be a worsted weight (same problem I have with the Eileen shell from No Sheep for You) but since this isn’t supposed to be knitted as tight as the Eileen, I decided I can use a knitting gauge/stitch converter and still make it fit.  What a FABULOUS tool this converter is!  As it turns out this converted to the exact stitch count for a larger size so I can knit this without having to blindly convert the shaping !

Yarn isn’t working

I spent $$$ at my LYS on Friday on this gorgeous Cascade Ultra Pima in Heathered Pansy (3705) to knit the Eileen Shell featured in No Sheep for You.  It’s a substitute for the Louret Sales Euroflax Geneva (which is no longer available and would have been way above my price range).

The pattern calls for a worsted weight and I was advised by the salesperson that I could substitute the Cascade Ultra Pima for the Euroflax.  Gauge is 20 st x 24 rows on Size 2 (2.75mm) needles.  I’ve swatched this starting on Size 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and finally got the correct gauge on a size 7 needle.  This is supposed to be a very tight knit but it’s not happening.  The DK weight just isn’t a proper substitute.  I should have known but I just wasn’t thinking.  In the meantime I ordered some Comfy Worsted in Peony from Knit Picks just in case I need to change the yarn.

Questions abound.  Well, maybe only three questions…

  1. Do I use the size 7 needles since that is what gauge was?
  2. Do I figure out what size to knit using a smaller needle so I get the intended denseness?
  3. Do I go with the above mentioned yarn from Knit Picks and save the Cascade Ultra Pima for something else?

I’m not good at substituting.  But then I don’t think this was completely my fault.  The advice I received from the salesperson wasn’t exactly right IMHO.

Please help!

Periwinkle, Sky Blue, Aqua, Lime

 

In addition to the Heathered Pansy color I also bought  (from l to r) Periwinkle (3726), Sky Blue (3727), Aqua (3732), and Lime (3739).  Not sure what I’m going to knit with these but I loved the colors and the feel of the yarn.  With so much swatching I’ve done over then weekend I do not think will not get tired of this buttery softness.

Weekend update

Mr.  Aitch and I went to a wedding in Cleveland over the weekend.  We were basically going to help take care of the twins during the wedding and reception so my daughter (bridesmaid) and her husband could enjoy the wedding and reception.

It was hot.  The sweaters I slaved over stayed in the diaper bag.  The twins were adorable.  Do I have pictures?  No.  But someone else may have taken a few so if they share, I will post.

We got home late last night and I was just too tired to post anything this morning.

I will share some yarn with you tomorrow.