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new, with questions

I've been lurking for a couple of weeks, since I posted here to give away some yarn--figured it was time I introduced myself. And maybe I can take advantage of the collective expertise concentrated here.

I learned to knit about 50 years ago, but only got serious about it in the last 30 years, after reading Barbara Walker's (sadly out of print) book on knitting from the top down. I mostly do mindless wool socks now in vibrant colors (tube socks with an afterthought heel, following Elizabeth Zimmerman's instructions), but the current project is to knit an Aran style vest to the same measurements as a hand-me-down I have from my daughter which I love, except for the color (and the fact that it has sewn seams). I've done about 2 inches of the back so far--we'll see how it goes.

Now, the questions. (1) My son recently asked for an Aran style sweater I made that his dad used to wear, and I located it, but when he tried it on, it was obvious it had shrunk several inches in length. It was made in the

1980s out of some mass-marketed American wool/acrylic blend--as I recall it was 15% wool--that was supposed to be machine washable. So, I told him I would knit him one that he could wear, but not to expect it in less than 12 months' time. Since I'd gone through my stash (acquired mostly in the 1980's as mill ends from WEBS) recently to find wool for the vest, I knew there 10 skeins or so of a neutralish tweed that would be good. It is Schaffhauser Fiorella (apparently long discontinued). It is 50% virgin wool and 50% acrylic. The label says that it is "machine launderable with special care - do not bleach - warm iron- dry cleanable - do not tumble dry". Does anyone have any experience with this sort of yarn? Can it really be machine washed? On a normal cycle? Should I just tell him it has to be dry cleaned?

(2) What is NYCO? I guessed "New Years cast on" but even if that's right, it doesn't tell me enough about the customs to understand the posts.

(3) are there other yarn NG acronyms I should know? (I figured out LYS--glad we have one of those).

OK. This is long enough. Thanks in advance!

Georgia

Reply to
Georgia
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Hi, Georgia! I'm glad you de-lurked and intro'd! NYCO = New Year's Cast On... you're correct and get a gold star! Regarding this, the 'rule' (not really a rule, but I couldn't think of a better word, I'm tired!) is, you cast on (or chain, if a crocheter!) a project ON New Year's Day, for YOURSELF. Here's a 'bunch' of litttle acronyms we us alot here at RCTY...

RCTY= rec.crafts.textiles.yarn (this NG) LYS= Local Yarn Store DH= Darling, dear, or damned, depending on your mood Husband or Hubby. DS= Darling Son DD= Darling Daughter DGD= Darling GrandDaughter DGS= Darling GrandSon MIL= mother in law SIL= daughter in law (ok, I know you're getting the picture on those!) Here's some more: WIP's= works in progress OTN= on the needles OTH= on the hooks OT= OFF topic UFO's= unfinished objects PIG's= projects in grocery sacks SEX= Stash Enhancement eXperience... SABLE= stash acquisition beyond life expectancy...

there are plenty more, and i know others will chime in here. Welcome to the best NG on the 'net... Hugs, Noreen

Reply to
The YarnWright

Hi Georgia,

Welcome to the group and anytime you care to join our 6x6 square exchange feel free to do so. I can't help you with the yarn either as the aran sweaters I made years ago were from Mary Maxim and using their yarn.

Higs,

Nora from upstate NY

Reply to
norabalcer

Welcome, Georgia. I see that most of your questions have been answered, so I'll just mention the wool. I would NOT dry-clean it. Put it in the washer, in cold water, on a gentle cycle, and do not put it in the dryer, and you should be safe.

Higs, Katherine

Reply to
Katherine

Thanks a bunch. I would never have figured out SEX or PIGS.

Does the NYCO have to be New Years Day? Will the vest I just started count? Or should I cast on something like the "non-matching patchwork" socks I plan to do next out of left-over sock yarn? (Is there an abbreviation for projects involving left-over yarn? Lord knows I have enough in lots of 1-4 balls/skeins!)

Georgia

Schaffhauser

Reply to
Georgia

One really certain way to tell is to knit a swatch, measure it and also put it on a piece of paper and draw a line around it. Then wash it with a towel or two. Then measure it and check it against the drawing. (If you intend to put pockets on the vest, the swatch can be a pocket.)

Generally, wool can be washed, though the safest way is to use the machine only to fill with water and soap, turn it off and let the sweater soak. Then switch the controls to spin-dry and remove the water that way, then refill and turn off while it soaks to rinse, and again, spin-dry without agitation. Remove and pin out.

But the yarn you have is 50-50 acrylic and wool, and anything less than

80% wool is usually pretty darned washable. Materials science has been worked on a lot since the 1980s, and in my experience some commercial knitwear will spread sideways regardless of what the fiber was. (And I've had acrylic that shrank when it was accidentally exposed to boiling hot water due to a malfunctioning washing machine.)

I'd say there's a very good chance that the 50-50 yarn is genuinely machine washable, even with agitation, but as always, test the swatch!

=Tamar

Reply to
Richard Eney

Good idea (duh!--I have to knit the swatch anyway!)

Georgia

Reply to
Georgia

Are you sure it shrank? Does it look felted?? The reason I ask, dh is currently wandering around the house in a 100% wool sweater I made him in the 1980's and it comes to about 3" or 4" below his waist, which was where men were wearing them then, and he likes that length. Nowadays, I notice that the fashion is for them to be much longer. My son and SIL like their sweaters close to hip length. Keep the old one around - it may come back into fashion.

Oh, welcome aboard, by the way.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

Reply to
Olwyn Mary

It definitely shrank. Son and his dad have the same frame, and the waist/hip band didn't come down to DS's navel, and the sleeves were 3-4 inches too short (like 32" instead of 35").

Reply to
Georgia

Oh thank you !

(I did not know LYS - pppffft!)

Sandra Rose

Hi, Georgia! I'm glad you de-lurked and intro'd! NYCO = New Year's Cast On... you're correct and get a gold star! Regarding this, the 'rule' (not really a rule, but I couldn't think of a better word, I'm tired!) is, you cast on (or chain, if a crocheter!) a project ON New Year's Day, for YOURSELF. Here's a 'bunch' of litttle acronyms we us alot here at RCTY...

RCTY= rec.crafts.textiles.yarn (this NG) LYS= Local Yarn Store DH= Darling, dear, or damned, depending on your mood Husband or Hubby. DS= Darling Son DD= Darling Daughter DGD= Darling GrandDaughter DGS= Darling GrandSon MIL= mother in law SIL= daughter in law (ok, I know you're getting the picture on those!) Here's some more: WIP's= works in progress OTN= on the needles OTH= on the hooks OT= OFF topic UFO's= unfinished objects PIG's= projects in grocery sacks SEX= Stash Enhancement eXperience... SABLE= stash acquisition beyond life expectancy...

there are plenty more, and i know others will chime in here. Welcome to the best NG on the 'net... Hugs, Noreen

Reply to
Sandra Rose

Oh! - UFO's= unfinished objects

OOoH! - PIG's= projects in grocery sacks

oh... SEX= Stash Enhancement eXperience...

thanks again - LoL! SR

Reply to
Sandra Rose

Regarding the sweater that shrank, try a bucket of water with a cup of hair cream rinse. Soak a few hours, rinse and lay flat to dry blocking to the desired size. The cream rinse will often put the "give" back into the wool.

Reply to
CHEX

LOL Can we all tell that Sandra Rose is enjoying learning the acronyms? ;o)

Gem

Reply to
MRH

Hi Georgia! I see that your questions have been answered. I just wanted to welcome you to RCTY. Hope to see you posting more often. :o)

If you would like to have a look at some of the people on RCTY, just have a look at the photo album URL in my signature. If you would like to add your picture, please send me a jpg picture to gemsawriter AT yahoo DOT ca and put "RCTY Photos" in the subject line, and the name you use here "Georgia" ;o) in the body of the message and I will be happy to add you. :o)

Reply to
MRH

On Fri, 30 Dec 2005 17:54:51 GMT, "Georgia" spewed forth :

Georgia - I got an envelope headed your way yesterday. Sorry for the delay!

+++++++++++++

Reply to the list as I do not publish an email address to USENET. This practice has cut my spam by more than 95%. Of course, I did have to abandon a perfectly good email account...

Reply to
Wooly

Never heard of that cure before--but I've got nothing to lose--I'll try it tonight!

Georgia

Reply to
Georgia

Georgia, Welcome to the group!

Higz, Susan K

Reply to
Soozergirl

Thanks, Susan. Maybe ( among all the other things I plan to do today--including knitting!) I'll take pictures of my FOs so I can post them for knitting friends to see.

Georgia

Schaffhauser

Reply to
Georgia

I hope it doesn't have to be on New Year's Day - I didn't even get the yarn for my 2005 one until October (and I haven't finished it yet).

I think the idea is that many of us do a lot of knitting for other people, and very little for ourselves. I know that is true of me: my children are still young enough that they like to have things made for them by me, but they are big enough that it takes a moderate amount of time.

Anyway, I think you're vest should count. I don't know whether my 2005 NYCO should be carried ver of not.

Reply to
Penny Gaines

Georgia,

I just had a look at your website... you make some really beautiful things! :o)

Gemini

Reply to
MRH

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