I was about to print up some knitting graph paper to have on hand when
inspiration stuck, but I ran into a problem.
What I was going to do was create generic papers for the various yarn
weights. So, I'd have a graph for worsted weight at 5 st. per inch, one
for sport at 6 st. per inch, etc. I realize that sometimes my gauge won't
exactly match these, but it's close enough for government work.
The problem is that I've found a number of resources that give the
standard stitch/inch count for the various yarn weights, but none of them
list the corresponding row counts. Obviously, it won't work as graph paper
if I only specify the number of stitches per inch, but not the rows.
So, does anyone know what row the counts are for the various yarn weights,
or is there a standard percentage that usually applies in stocking stitch?
I know I could just knit up samples at each weight and measure them (and I
have the stash to do it! <g>), but I'm hoping someone just knows the
answer.
Thanks,
Martha Gallagher
--
Martha,
_Row_ gauge is probably less important than _stitch_ gauge, since you'll
normally knit or crochet up to the desired length in inches. I believe
you'll get many answers to your question(s), since knitting worsted
weight and any knit and crochet yarn seem to come in differing
thicknesses depending on the yarn brand. Also, you'll get even greater
differences in gauges depending on how each person knits or crochets --
too loose, too tight, just right -- so, getting that proper stitch *and*
row gauges right (or perfect or on the dot) is probably unlikely (or
nerve-wracking).
Here is what I've found among my (yarn) stash ...
"Thick & Quick" Chenille
Size P crochet hook
3 sts = 2"; 8 rows = 5"
#11 knitting needles
2 sts & 4 rows = 1"
Caron Knit and Crochet Yarn
Size I crochet hook
3 1/2 sts & 4 rows = 1"
#8 knitting needles
4 1/2 sts & 6 rows = 1"
Red Heart Classic
Size H crochet hook &
#8 knitting needles
15 sts & 22 rows = 4"
Caron Wintuk
Size I crochet hook
8 sts = 2"; 5 rows = 1"
#8 knitting needles
9 sts = 2"; 6 rows = 1"
Red Heart Super Sport
Size G crochet hook &
#6 knitting needles
20 sts & 27 rows = 4"
Red Heart Sport
Size G crochet hook &
#6 knitting needles
22 sts & 30 rows = 4"
Lion Brand Baby Soft
Size G crochet hook
4 sts & 5 rows = 1"
#6 knitting needles
5 1/2 sts & 7 1/2 rows = 1"
... Also, both a knitting and cotton worsted weight yarns only mention
the stitch gauge, and both a 3-ply worsted and baby weight yarns gave
neither the stitch nor row gauges at all.
One reference book suggests knitting or crocheting a swatch (for both
knitting and crocheting) four times the desired number of stitches and
rows to the inch. For example, 2 sts & 4 rows = 1" -- make a swatch 8
sts by 16 rows. Also, check the row (or vertical) gauge on the wrong or
purl side of stockinette stitch knitting. Note: In both knitting and
crocheting, this book suggests placing the two pins at 1" in the middle
of the swatch, then counting the stitches or rows (for the gauge).
_ _ _ _ _
~ Millie ma...@eagle.ptialaska.net
--
Mary-Ann Parisi
Knitters Niche
3206 North Southport
Chicago, Illinois 60657
(773)472-YARN
Martha Gallagher wrote in message ...
>Hello,
>
>I was about to print up some knitting graph paper to have on hand when
>inspiration stuck, but I ran into a problem.
>
>What I was going to do was create generic papers for the various yarn
>weights. So, I'd have a graph for worsted weight at 5 st. per inch, one
>for sport at 6 st. per inch, etc. I realize that sometimes my gauge won't
Martha,
You're way ahead of me on that one. :)
Lately, I'm looking into double knitting, and knitting continues to
surprise me ...
[snip me asking about row gauges]
,
>_Row_ gauge is probably less important than _stitch_ gauge, since you'll
>normally knit or crochet up to the desired length in inches. I believe
>you'll get many answers to your question(s), since knitting worsted
>weight and any knit and crochet yarn seem to come in differing
>thicknesses depending on the yarn brand. Also, you'll get even greater
>differences in gauges depending on how each person knits or crochets --
>too loose, too tight, just right -- so, getting that proper stitch *and*
>row gauges right (or perfect or on the dot) is probably unlikely (or
>nerve-wracking).
>
That's exactly right. I'm just looking for an approximation to graph
out an intarsia pattern. Once I have a working pattern, I'll knit the
intarsia section to fine tune it. But I figured it'd be easier to start
with it basically graphed proportionally and then work from there.
>Here is what I've found among my (yarn) stash ...
Thanks, this is great. Using this and the numbers Mary-Ann gave me, I'll
print up some graph paper and then copy my design onto it.
This is going to be fun. I've designed many of my own sweaters, but this
is the first time I've created an intarsia design. :-)
Thanks,
Martha
>
Yeah, but, Mirjam, not everyone is as *wonderful* as you are.
Heh.
Anyway, thanks to everyone who responded. I'm spinning the most lustrous
dark gray Lincoln for this. It's so shiny, in some lights it looks wet.
Very cool. :-)
Martha
Mirjam,
Martha's (new) knitting project -- intarsia -- involves row gauge (as
well as stitch gauge) for a good reason: to "paint an inlayed or mosaic
tiled picture." Here's a site that shows the kind of work she's
endeavoring to take on (from a word search that I did) ...
http://search.britannica.com/frm_redir.jsp?query=intarsia&redir=http://www.cybertours.com/borealis
Some of these pictures are quite amazing in the overall work! [--Though,
I imagine, it takes a certain kind of determination or inspiration to do
it.]
> , I do NOT Understand Your Comment !!!
> >, Mirjam, not everyone is as *wonderful* as you are.
> There is No need to be so cynical , Like mae many people learn to do
Sarcastic, I think, not cynical (or at least not as represented in this
thread).
> with waht they have and making such ppaer seems a buit strange to me ,
> And Unneeeded ,,, but Ok if you think it helps you By all meands Go
Ok, if you wanted to translate a picture into a knitted fabric, could you
tack a picture on a bulletin board, sit down and start knitting
directly from that?
"Knit 14 stitches background color, knit 2, 3, maybe 5? stitches for the
foot, knit, oh, um say 20 stitches background color, then, hmmm, I'm
guessing 4 stitches of yellow for the next foot, etc."
Maybe you can do that and maybe that works really well for you. For me,
it's *much* easier to use graph paper in order to create a chart. That
doesn't mean the design work is over. I still have to knit it, see where
the chart needs to be modified in order to make the knitted fabric display
what I see on the picture. My older sister was a needlepoint designer. For
simple or geometrical patterns, I've seen her just pick up the canvas and
start stitching. But, if she was doing a complicated design, even if it
wasn't one she was going to produce commercially, she'd paint the
canvas. It took a little more work, but she found it made it faster and
easier than if she had to make it up as she went along. It also helped her
identify problems in her design before she was halfway through a good size
canvas.
> ahead make and Use it , I think that many an creative Idea came into
> the world Becuase people HAD to solve a Problem , had to make without
Yeah, and using tools such as graph paper, calculators and rulers are
ways that people designed to make problem solving easier. Sure, you can do
it without, and if you want to, that's fine with me, but other people make
different choices and they're not wrong for doing so.
> , Had to find a way Around A problem ,, and thus Trained their
> creative abilitives ,, having it all laid out ,,,,, sure takes out a
> lot of the Fun of solving the enigma !!!! mirjam
>
Well, I disagree. I designed a sweater for a friend who was training to be
a blacksmith. I created horseshoes, a hammer, tongs, and a few other
symbols using cables. I found it pretty challenging on a creative and
technical level, even though I used graph paper. Sure, eventually I
probably could have worked out the appropriate dimensions for a knitted
horseshoe using trial and error, but as far as I'm concerned, using tools
to make a task easier is a good thing. (If anyone wants it, sorry, I lost
my notes for that one the last time I moved.)
On page 45 of _Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting_, she says
"using graph paper and pen, I later recreated the image in this allover
pattern." Does this mean that Alice Starmore fails your test of
creativity? Or, should we say that her creativity lies in seeing a flower
and thinking "what would that look like knitted?"
>Soory if my writings annoy you . mirjam
>
I am not annoyed, but I am offended that someone asks a question that is
clearly on-topic for this group and then hears that you're tired of the
question and never want to hear it again. And then further, that anyone
who takes a different approach to design is somehow less creative as a
result of their choices. We don't all do things the same way, but, as far
as I'm concerned, what is important is our enjoyment of the time we spend
knitting (including the preparatory stages) and creating a finished
product that we are proud of.
Martha "there's no wrong way to eat a Reeses" Gallagher
I have also just picked up two needles and various colors of yarn, and let
the yarn direct my work. Those have been some of my best projects. I also
use graph paper when I want a very realistic look as when I was doing a
parrot on a sweater. The placement of each feather and color had to be exact
for the type of realism I was attempting.
I agree with Mirjam about all this knitters graph paper being an unnecessary
expense. I just go to the corner drug store and buy some students 4 square
to the inch graph paper. Yes, I know that the 5 to 7 relationship of
knitting will disfigure the picture a little, but it is proportional enough
for me to get the picture. Did a sweater of a forest scene one time. Really
needed the graph paper to place the various elements. Actually it is because
I'm lazy and do not like to rip that I find it easier to erase paper than
undo knitting.
In the end there are very few pictures that will look exactly the same in
knitting as they do on paper. Some of you may have the book with the great
masterpieces of western art plotted out on graph paper for sweaters. Da
vinci, Raphael, Degas, Gaughan and some of the more modern artists
paintings made into sweaters and dresses. Even made the Michaelangelo Head
of David sweater. They are lovely sweaters but they do not look like
paintings as there is movement in a sweater which distorts the image.
Sometimes for better and sometimes for worse.
If you are designing an intarsia pattern and feel a need to see how the
elements of the design fit together, using graph paper can be a help if you
want as realistic a duplicate of the picture as possible. It will still not
be exactly the same as the picture. If you want something more
impressionistic, pick up your needles and go.
--
Mary-Ann Parisi
Knitters Niche
3206 North Southport
Chicago, Illinois 60657
(773)472-YARN
Marilyn Thompson wrote in message ...
I actually am interested in how food is prepared (and furniture, clothes,
cars, etc.) :D But I come from a different background than Mirjam -- or
maybe it's better to say that my mind works differently, I think! I like to
know the rules and why they're there *first* -- then I can break them. This
creativity thing -- are you familiar w/ the works of Andy Warhol? How
creative was his soup can or his Marilyn pictures? :D My *personal*
definition of art is -- if the creator says it's an artistic expression,
it's art. (Art is in the eyes of the creator.) I see myself as very
creative, but that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy creating an exact replica
of something as an expression of my mastery of a craft. I find that very
satisfying. But I do balk at the general opinion that all "Art" is drawing
and painting -- I was just commenting on this to a friend -- there are so
many ways to make a creative expression, and it frustrates me when people
say they're not artistic simply because they can't draw!
Laurie
mirjam
>
Friend Mirjam,
You misunderstand me! I mean that we think differently maybe because we
have different personality types (something that I've been reading about)
*not* because of different cultures -- I've found I see the world and react
to it very differently than my twin sister who has a different personality
type than me -- even tho we were raised side by side!
I agree that an exact copy is not generally a "work of art" (and boy have I
gotten some flack for that opinion!). However, if the artist is making a
copy as an artistic expression or impression it is. Example -- if I exactly
recreate the "Mona Lisa" out of dog poop to express my feelings about the
state of the art world today, that's an artistic expression; by my
definition that's "Art". So my question to the young student would have
been -- if this is a "work of art" then what are you trying to say, and how
have you gone about saying it? Going back to the "Mona Lisa" -- if I paint
an exact replica as an expression of my feelings about the art world today
then by my definition that is "Art" as well. In both cases I've made a
"statement" (Neither very subtle, I'll admit; but I've never been accused of
that :D) As I said, this is my own personal definition of "Art" and not
widely held by others. This leads to the discussion of what is "Art" and
what is "Craft"? I see art as decorative and craft as functional
(generally) but the two overlap enormously! What if something is
artistically functional? Or functionally artistic? :D (BTW, I view myself
as a craftsperson, not an artist. While I'm very creative, I'm not making
any statements w/ my work, and as a general rule it's all functional.)
And finally, Mirjam, I was agreeing w/ you that the view that "Art" can only
be drawing and sculpture is wrong. Robert Fulghum (a kind of modern
philosopher) wrote an essay about this kind of thing. Basically he said
that if you ask a group of 5-year-olds if anyone can sing they'll all say
"Yes, I can sing, let's sing a song now!" But if you ask a group of
25-year-olds if anyone can sing almost all of them will say "No, I can't
sing." Only those who are exceptionally talented will say they can. He
said (and I agree) that this was a terrible loss. You can say the same
thing about "Art."
Laurie
there are times when I make garments and there are times when I make
art.
Sometimes the art is wearable but in my mind it is still a garment. I
can
use very creative and artistic elements in making my coats and jackets,
but
they are still coats and jackets. There is definitely an element of
functionality about them. When I am making a garment strictly thinking
in an
artistic way, it is not necessarily totally functional. I would not
wear it
to do shopping. Mostly, it would be worn to be put in a show.
I have come to a point where I cannot create without incorporating
knitting
and/or fabric, both in my art and in my garment-making. I can no longer
allow what other people think of my work to determine what I do. There
are
times when I just have to start something and see what will turn out.
Either
the colour calls or the texture or shape, something compels me to make
something. It is quite invigorating and also at times difficult when I
cannot bend the object my hands is manipulating to match what my mind
wants
to form.
I have found over the years that what I consider art has had to be
expanded,
my mind had to be opened to other ideas. It is only be keeping my mind
open
that I keep my mind young. I try to not judge - I do, of course - but
by
prying my mind open, I am continually surprised and overjoyed at the
creativity of not only us humans but the entire world.
Jane in Toronto, Canada where it doesn't seem to want to stop raining
these
days.
Hurrah! This is exactly what I was trying to convey! As I said, my views
on art are my own (and nothing is black and white!) But every so often I'll
see some media bruhaha about "Is this Art?" and then I'll start thinking
about it again. Funny how all this stuff comes up at once -- when this
discussion began here my 11 yo began a discussion w/ me about what is art
and what is craft as well. (And what's wrong w/ craft? Why does everyone
want to call their craft work art work? Why is it that when someone masters
a craft they "become" an artist? What's wrong w/ "Master Craftsman/woman"?)
Laurie
Than i went to the TelAviv M<useum to See Local Artist Yossele Bergner
, retrospective Exhibition , He would be very interesting , for
Fiberartists , since He uses as MODELS , various tools as Irons , The
`body` tailors uses to sew clothes on , In his marvelous picture 'THE
TAILOR~S DREAM ' A FLOCK of thos Dummies
fly towars the horizon , i found no poster nore postcard of this work
, but mean to write and ask the Museum whether they could provide such
postcard Also when he draws clothes , they are not realistic in form ,
yet they are realistic enough in recognizing the material , you see it
is linnen , jeans and such .
Than i went to see an exhibition by Gharda Amer , An Egyptian born
Lady who now resides In New york , she Embroiders [ mainly with flat
long stiches on Real Painting canvas , than she paints over it ,
Which is immensely interesting , and is accepted as art in The
conventional way , by painting over the canvas she Turns It Into a
`conventional ` Art piece that `happenes` to have `also ` some threads
!!!
Here i saw The debate Art / craft taking A new spin , as well as the
Craft= women`s work , art= man`s domain , Theme that stil hoverrs
over us, a lot here in Israel and I hope less in Usa !!!
mirjam
Ps Jane pleas No apologies Needed mirjam
>Just before I turned 40, I decided to go back to school and finish my BA
>and
>while I started out with the idea of studying psychology, I ended up in
>Fine
>Arts. During this three years of intense study, I also spent a year at
>college taking clothing construction & design including machine
>knitting. I
>wanted to make wearable art.
>I got caught up in the problem then of what was art. Why was it if I
>painted
>a design on silk, it was craft, but if I painted the same design on
>canvas,
>it would be art. I spent a number of years agonizing over this and
>after a
>number of wall hangings, papier mache sculptures incorporating fabric,
>paintings, quilted paintings, I have come to the realization that for me
>
>there are times when I make garments and there are times when I make
>art.
>Sometimes the art is wearable but in my mind it is still a garment. I
>can
>use very creative and artistic elements in making my coats and jackets,
>but
>they are still coats and jackets. There is definitely an element of
>functionality about them. When I am making a garment strictly thinking
>in an
>artistic way, it is not necessarily totally functional. I would not
>wear it
>to do shopping. Mostly, it would be worn to be put in a show.
>I have come to a point where I cannot create without incorporating
>knitting
>and/or fabric, both in my art and in my garment-making. I can no longer
>
>allow what other people think of my work to determine what I do. There
>are
>times when I just have to start something and see what will turn out.
>Either
>the colour calls or the texture or shape, something compels me to make
>something. It is quite invigorating and also at times difficult when I
>cannot bend the object my hands is manipulating to match what my mind
>wants
>to form.
>I have found over the years that what I consider art has had to be
>expanded,
>my mind had to be opened to other ideas. It is only be keeping my mind
>open
>that I keep my mind young. I try to not judge - I do, of course - but
>by
>prying my mind open, I am continually surprised and overjoyed at the
>creativity of not only us humans but the entire world.
>
It seems Laurie that basicly we do have the same ideas and feelings
toward this subject , mirjam
>
Mirjam and all,
I believe it's more like this ...
*Crafters* are those who make homemade items to be given away to friends
and family or for charity ...
And, *Artists* are those who make items for a public showing (and
[personal] fame -?- ) for a price ...
... And, NOT necessarily a male or female thing ...
Mirjam,
LOL!
I had an *after-thought* that pretty much went along with your
sentiment. It went like this ...
RE: Crafters ... though some Crafters have been paid handsomely for
their livelihood, and live very well in all respects.
RE: Artists ... though some Artists have invested more into their Art
with no return during their lives, or later -- decades or centuries --
were paid millions for their art (work) long after their deaths.
Jane Boulet wrote:
> I wish to apologize to the group and to Mirjam. I wrote the following
> message and sent to Mirjam personally instead of to the group. It has
> taken me a day to figure out why I got a personal reply to my posting
> and could not find it on the newsgroup listing. Then it has taken me
> another couple of hours to even find the message on this computer that I
> have been attempting to build but which has not be assisting me in
> becoming, it seems to continually want to do things its way and not
> mine. Anyway, my apologies to the group and to Mirjam - what follows is
> what I meant to send last night. Jane
> .................................................................