When we last spoke of Serenity, the blanket for my maybe-grandbaby, there was some question about what fiber to use. I still haven't made a final decision, but progress is being made. I ordered 1 skein each of Berocco Comfort (an acrylic blend), Berocco Touche (cotton, rayon), Berocco Love it (cotton, acrylic), and Cascade Sierra (cotton, wool). In all honesty, any one of these fibers would have worked just fine. The Touche, while beautifully soft, splits a bit and is a little bit pricey ($4.50 for 89 yards). Love it I ruled out right away just because of the way the knitted fabric looks. I think it's a versatile fiber, but not what I'm looking for. The Sierra also splits (show me a cotton that doesn't), but the wool gives it a lovely hand. That one is up for consideration. In the end, it was the Berocco Comfort that I cast on with. Easy care, extremely soft, and priced right at $5.74 (WEBS) for 210 yards.
It is a little difficult to get a good picture of a project knitted in the round, but there it is. The Comfort provides really nice stitch definition. I think this blanket will be the test run/keep at grandma's blanket, just in case I screw it up. I have to say that I am completely in love with this pattern. It's the first time I've knitted anything that began in the center and I'm really enjoying watching it grow. The true color is a little bit more yellow than this picture shows, which wasn't really what I wanted, but for the test run, it will do. Chris (HI Chris!), from Briar Rose, is going to dye me up some Grace, a superwash wool blend,and some Grandma's Blessing (isn't that the sweetest name?) in a sagey green and I think, in the end, the Grace will be what I use. Her color choices are exactly my taste (earth mother that I am) and it will be even more special using fiber from Briar Rose. I will be picking it up at the Knit In in Madison mid March and in the meantime will keep working with the Comfort. I picked up several balls at my LYS (for almost a buck more a skein. WEBS wins again.) and will have enough to finish. I could knit on this blanket all day long if I had the time, a testament to a pattern well written.
It looks lovely, Mom!
Thank you!
Posted by: Kysa Lisitza | February 06, 2009 at 05:20 PM