March 15, 2007
swatching instead of sorting
I am supposed to be writing C# code to implement different sorting algorithms, but I just got the yarn for a new baby blanket, so I decided to spend an hour this afternoon knitting a test swatch instead.
Eva and I went to a yarn store earlier this week in search of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece yarn, but the store no longer carries it. Instead, they suggested Cascade Yarns Sierra, which has the same fiber content (80% cotton, 20% wool). As I've never knit with cotton or a cotton blend, I bought one skein to try out. I had heard the Cotton Fleece holds up well in the wash, but I can't figure out if Sierra has the same lasting properties. I plan to wash the swatch in every load I do for the next couple of weeks. If it holds up, it's the yarn I will use. Otherwise, I will probably use Encore, which is what I am using for Elliot's blanket. I haven't picked a color yet, although I love the color of the skein I bought, and might go with that.
And speaking of Elliot's blanket, I'm past the half point! This weekend I calculated that I would need to knit at least 2 rows a day, every day, until my due date, if I wanted to finish the blanket before the new baby arrives. Right now each row is taking me about 10 minutes to complete, but since I'm decreasing down to a point they should get faster and faster. As of this morning I have 160 rows left to do, about 13-14 hours worth of knitting. My goal is to finish Elliot's blanket and start the new blanket before I go into labor.