Sweet on Sweater

Chloë: It’s chilly out here.

Spud: Ya’ think?

Chloë: I need to put on my sweater.

Spud: Already got mine on.

Chloë: Touché

Let’s take a closer look at Spud & Chloë Sweater yarn today. A worsted weight yarn has a versatility that no other weight of yarn has. It is a classic workhorse yarn, meaning the sky is the limit for making just about any project you could possibly imagine. With the added bonus of having a superwash wool and organic cotton blend, the universe is really the limit! You will love this versatile, soft, squishy yarn. Sweater has already become my go‐to yarn of choice.

Here are the Spud & Chloë Sweater yarn facts:

Weight: worsted
Content: 55% superwash wool and 45% organic cotton
Skein: 100 grams and 160 yards/146 meters
Needle size: US 7‐9/ 4.5‐5.5mm
Gauge: 4‐5 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

There are 13 colors with some of the best color names in yarn color history. Here are the names: ice cream, popsicle, grass, rootbeer, lake, firefly, toast, moonlight, pollen, firecracker, splash, chipmunk and watermelon.

Spud & Chloë Sweater yarn is perfect for sweaters (high fashion to casual comfort), hats, scarves, mittens, toys, blankets, baby clothes and home décor, just to name a few. I want to show you how varying your needle size up or down can change the gauge of the knitted fabric ever so slightly.

To do this I chose the three recommended needle sizes listed on the Sweater label and made 3 swatches, one with each size needles. To make each swatch I cast on 20 stitches and followed the exact same stitch pattern on each swatch. The swatches shown are not blocked in any way. They are in their freshly knitted, natural state.

Yarn: Spud & Chloë Sweater in Pollen #7508
Needles: US size 7
Gauge: 5 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

This square measures exactly 4‐inches across at 5 stitches per inch with a 20‐stitch cast on. As you can see Sweater lends itself to a stitch definition that is truly beautiful and crisp. This means it is an excellent yarn for stitch patterns and cables of any sort. They will show up and the yarn will show off your stitch work wonderfully.

Five stitches per inch is my all‐time favorite stitch gauge. It is a comfortable gauge that creates a soft, flexible fabric, good for just about everything. This gauge will hold its shape and form really well. You will probably find or you already have a favorite yarn weight and gauge of your own.

For the next swatch I went up one needle size. Here is the information for the next square.

Yarn: Spud & Chloe Sweater in Firefly #7505

Needles: US size 8

Gauge: 4 1/2 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

I cast on 20 stitches again, this time using the US size 8 needles. This square measures 4 1/4‐inches in width, so it is just slightly wider than the first swatch. This may not seem like much difference but it does make the fabric slightly looser in texture. At the larger needle size the fabric is still beautiful, dense and lofty. This is a fabulous gauge for the Sweater yarn and is perfect for, well, sweaters. The knitting will go fast and furiously and the because of the bigger gauge but it isn’t too loose. Perfecto!

The last swatch that I knit up is on a size 9 needle. This is the information.

Yarn: Spud & Choë Sweater in Popsicle #7501
Needles: US size 9
Gauge: 4 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

For this final swatch I pulled out this gorgeous, richly colored Popsicle Sweater yarn and my size 9 needles and cast on 20 stitches. The swatch measures 4 1/2‐inches in width and it knit up quite quickly. The fabric is more flexible and airy feeling but it maintains a very solid feel as well. Sweater on a size 9 needle would be perfect for any larger size knit like for a blanket, pillow or a sweater that is meant to have a looser gauge.

Below are the swatches side by side. Now you can really see the difference a slight needle size adjustment can make. Notice the length difference in addition to the slight width difference. It is always important to pay close attention to gauge for every project. It is a make it or break it ingredient for successful knitting. This swatch experiment was fun. It has my mind racing with ideas to use these little squares. Hmmmm…..

Spud & Chloë Sweater may just revolutionize your worsted weight projects. It is that appealing on every level. It’s soft, classic, durable, squishy and all around delicious.

Be sure to pop back for the next post which will include my next free pattern. You will love this one. It is a quick and simple little knit just perfect for summer fun! I am thinking about hosting a giveaway in the very near future as a kind of celebration to the fantastic kick off the S & C brand has had in the knitting world. I want to share some Sweater yarn love with you and maybe a pattern or two. I love nothing more than a good giveaway.

All coming soon……

Oh yeah, one more thing, a quick update on my current Sweater yarn knitting. I finished the back of the Track Jacket in Chipmunk and I have a good start on the right front. I will post some pics when I finish the right front to give you a look.

Take care, Spud & Chloë peeps!