Friday 3 January 2014

Swatch Like You Mean It Giveaway.......



Do you swatch before starting a new project? As you saw on my previous post, this was my very first swatch, which was included in the pattern of Mel's Halele'a Cardigan. I've never felt the need or wanted to swatch before even after I've had to frog hours of work because the size was wrong, I never learnt my lesson. Does this sound familiar?

Not only did I get to check my gauge on this swatch, I got to practise new stitches, picking up stitches, making buttonholes and getting the feel for the yarn. I can also take my swatch out with me when I go button shopping and get the perfect buttons for my cardigan.

If only I'd spent a couple of hours of swatching, soaking and blocking my other projects, I would have saved hours of time on knitting and ripping out. Thanks to my wonderful friend Mel, I've discovered I love the process of knitting not just the end product and swatching is part of that knitting process.

Now for the exciting part of this post, Mel the Guru of Swatching is doing a 7 week online course called............

Swatch Like You Mean It.

you will get weekly audio/video of key techniques, informative PDF's to download, two patterns, exclusively designed for class. Also there will be support, encouragement and interaction with other knitters plus other little surprises along the way. 

Mel has kindly offered me one free spot to give away to one of my lovely readers, so if you would like to be part of this fantastic course, just leave me a comment, telling me why you would like a place. I will close the comments on the 8th January and pick one winner using the Random Number Generator, don't forget to tell me why you would like a spot.

Don't worry if you don't win but would really like a place, registration is open until the 24th January, you can register here. Also, check out the PDF with all the Swatch Like You Mean It information.


Since learning the joys of swatching, I've been putting it into practise. I've wanted to cast on the Aureus cardigan for some time, I just needed the yarn. I  purchased some Rowan Felted Tweed and Rowan Pure Wool in the John Lewis Christmas sale, both were suitable, I just couldn't decide which one to use.


This is how I decided, I swatched both of them in the cable and lace pattern, to see which I preferred once knitted. I was originally drawn to the mustard colour but once I'd swatched, even though the stitch definition was better using the Pure Wool DK , I loved how the purple, Felted Tweed was so tactile. It just seemed to suit the cardigan, very soft and pretty with a nice drape and a gorgeous vintage look, so that's the one I went with. So, as well as making my decision, I killed two birds with one stone and got gauge and practised tubular cast on for the first time. As you can probably tell, Mel has converted me and I have just signed up to Swatch Like You Mean It to learn even more. I can't wait for it to start on the 1st February, anything Mel does, she makes it so much fun!!!!!!!!!! I hope to see you there, too.

Good luck to everyone who enters!!!!!!
xxxxDebxxxx

15 comments:

Lynnda said...

These look beautiful Deb!.... hugs...x

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

So gorgeous!! I always love your creations!!!!

Jo said...

Such wise, wise words! I have started to grow up a bit and swatch myself - it takes a more mature knitter I think!!! Happy New Year Deb. Jo x

Unknown said...

Thanks for this great opportunity :)
I would love to win a spot in this course as I am not a swatcher, and would love to learn how to do it properly. It would make a world of difference to my knitting skills if I knew why and how we should be doing this!
x
Natalie

Stefanie said...

Just commenting here...
You are dedicated and doing great work here.

Unknown said...

Looks so pretty my friend..

Hugs~

The MadStamper said...

Love your swatches!!! =)
I am new to crocheting and knitting (started this past summer) and have a long way to go but I love them both! Swatching is not something I have ever done, I guess I have been lucky that I haven't really made anything yet that needs it! lol! A class on it would be wonderful!!! I can't imagine how much knowledge I could gain from something like this ~ thanks so much for the chance to win it!

CathieJ said...

Oh wow, from your description of the two swatches you made, I would love to learn how to swatch effectively. Upon currently knitting my first sweater I have found that my width is perfect but my length is long. This wasn't a problem until I worked the sleeve pattern and came out too long. I would love to know how to swatch effectively.

yarnderwoman said...

I would love to learn how to swatch properly. Winning a place would be great as we are on a tight budget atm. Thank you to both you and Mel. :-)

Jodi said...

One of my crafty resolutions for 2014 is to hone in on my technical skills, such as fixing dropped stitches, searching, etc... So this class would be a perfect opportunity for me :). Thanks for the great giveaway!

Unknown said...

Love those intricate patterns, every time I come down here, you make me want to pick up knitting again Deb ;-) but for now I fully content myself with watching your lovely creations! Ira x
Ira’s Crea Corner

Denise said...

I'd like a spot, because I still haven't learned my lesson either! I've started trying to swatch but all I do is a small square!!!

Mouse said...

After reading your post I thought hey that's me too, I never swatch!!! so would love a chance to win, thanks so much.

Linda Tytko said...

I'm starting my sweater by Mel as we speak Halele'a is on my needles I got the yarn in the gray color-way yours looks beautiful. I love Mel's patterns I fished Old man and the sea and Pau hana, this one looks like it will take a long tine with such fine yarn but I am not in any hurry. You are fast knitter,

Mandy said...

I' m new to swatching and sweater knitting. I love all of Mel's patterns and love how she gets you to enjoy swatching too.

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