'Silky Chic' Feather and Fan Knitalong

melody yarns · 'Silky Chic' Feather and Fan Knitalong

Following on from this thread here

Come and join the 'Silky Chic' Feather and Fan KAL!

Cazzie's mum used an older pattern from My Weekly called Silky Chic that she had saved to knit Cazzie's daughter a top, and Debs showed the same pattern by Sirdar, pattern number 5568:

As the patterns are no longer available, we'll see what we can do with regard to providing a pattern for everyone interested in the knitalong.

pictish

Me!! me!! - I'm in Cool

gilraen

I'm in but I still haven't worked out where to get the pattern Embarassed

melody yarns

Don't worry Gilraen - I will speak to Sirdar tomorrow to see if they are able to provide us with patterns or copies of patterns to knit from. We may have to send a nominal fee to Sirdar (about a pound each) to cover the cost of photocopying, but if I contact them directly on behalf of the forum members, it should save Sirdar a lot of extra admin time, phone calls etc.

Okay - so if you let me know if you'd like to join, pop your comment in this thread, and then I'll know how many copies of the pattern we'll potentially need.

Does that sound okay for everyone?

murdo

Yes! Looks far nicer knitted than in Sirdar pic...think it's too big for model Smile

cazzie

If Sirdar are happy I can get photocopies of the magazine version ...

gilraen

Yes I was thinking that the Wool shop in Newcastle, old style shop might have the pattern, I can phone them to see.............. Smile

Jobo

I would like to join the knitalong Very Happy

Have to search around for a nice yarn though - any ideas? Very Happy

melody yarns

I have my Sirdar Luxury Cotton in Walnut wot I got at a bargain price from Mrs Pictish at the ready with my Brittany Birches to knit this. Probably in time for when the sun eventually comes out!

Although Patons Cotton DK is gorgeous for feather and fan.... Wink

not that I'm biased or anything.

pictish

I will pay for the pattern too but will try my LYS first tomorrow and let you know Cool

I'm thinking of Sirdar Baby Bamboo or the Kool Kotton.

melody yarns

The pattern is at least eight years old, so more traditional yarn shops may still have it in stock Wink

gilraen

What is the guage for the pattern? Smile

ClaireUK

And me...and me... (Jumps up and down) I have tried my LYS but they dont have it : (

I dont suppose the pattern goes up to a 48" bust, but I'm sure I can work it out.

Claire UK

cazzie

It does - it goes up to 48/50 which gives actual measurement of 54.5"

or the 44/46 size isactual of 49.5" Very Happy

gilraen

I'm planning the yarn I would need. How much yardage etc would a 38" bust need? Thanks Smile

I'm guessing DK yarn?

KnittingLadybird

I would be up for this too if that's ok?...Is the original yarn 'silky look' or am I getting confused with the woman weekly pattern title?

cazzie

Quantities and sizes

To fit size first - actual size in brackets both in inches - followed by quantity of Silky Look (DK) which is 135m / 50g

32/34 ( 38 ) - 7 balls
36/38 (42.5) - 8 balls
40/42 (45.5) - 9 balls
44/46 (49.5) - 10 balls
48/50 (54.5) - 11 balls

Hope this helps Very Happy

KnittingLadybird

Thanks Cazzie...I was hoping it was the silky look as I have coming my way next week lol

melody yarns

Just to add that the original garment is knitted in Sirdar Silky Look, but the title of the magazine garment was 'Silky Chic' - sorry for the confusion there Embarassed

Gilraen you're right in that the original yarn is a double knitting weight, with a tension of 22sts x 28rows over stocking stitch on 4mm needles and 135m per 50g ball.

Any DK yarn, and any standard Sirdar DK yarn, that knits to this tension approximately will be okay to use - just check the meterage you'd need for your size Wink

Surprisingly I bought 8 balls of Silky Look in black to knit this garment when I bought the pattern originally, but never got round to casting on Rolling Eyes

Jobo

Thank you Cazzie, those sizes and yarn requirements are very helpful. Have been searching around - the Kool Cotton version would only cost about £12 Very Happy

gilraen

Cheers girls, very helpful info there Smile

melody yarns

I've just listed all the Kool Kotton shades in my eBay shop if anyone is interested Wink

I'm selling them by the ball on there, and have all the shades available except Steel blue which I've already sold out of.

I order from the supplier every few weeks though, so I can always order more packs if anyone is interested in a particular shade.

pictish

Is the first size = 38" when knitted?? It might be a bit big for me then Sad

melody yarns

Just checked pattern Ali - yes, it knits up to measure 38" for a 32" bust. In the 90s garments were far more oversized than they are today! Cool

cazzie

You could always go down a needle size - think that is what mum did to get it smaller (and she knits tighter than me)

pictish

Good idea - think I will have to or it will not do me any favours Laughing

Thanks!!

gilraen

pictish

Have you nabbed the last of the pale pink then??? Twisted Evil

gilraen

Yep, but then someone snatched all the Wisteria! Wink

KnittingLadybird

oooh stop it now girls lol...I quite the green shade of kool kotton Wink

gilraen

It's very reasonable Linz Wink

pictish

melody yarns

If you're ordering from me through the eBay shop, then please do an 'ask Seller total' thing when you get to the payments section.

If you mention thatyou're on the forum, and give me your forum name Wink

, then I'll deduct 10% off the total yarn price. Also I popped in postal charges that are usually for my 100g balls, so the postal charges are somewhat higher for this yarn than would normally be, so I can adjust it on the invoice for you before you pay.

mogiebear

Can I join in too? I seem to have ground to a stop on the things I'm knitting so maybe I need something new to us up some o my cottons. Rolling Eyes

cazzie

KnittingLadybird

when you say down a needle size...how far down exactly do you mean?...if it's done 4mm...I have 3.75 and 3.5....

pictish

Will do Cazzie Cool

I'm going to ring my LYS today and see if they have the pattern.

cazzie

I will check but I think Mum used an old 9 - is that 3.75mm?

I'm going to try and swatch tonight - have frogged Ariadne (was going to be too small) so my 4mm needles are free

melody yarns

Hurrah for vacant needles!

GrannySmith

I think I would like a go at this to, but you know me, I probably won't be wearing it until summer 08 Very Happy

pictish

Haven't tried my LYS yat but just wondered if you'd tried Sirdar Debs? Razz

gilraen

My LYS doesn't have any copies Sad

melody yarns

I couldn't try Sirdar today as I was wrapping parcels for eBay and then had to take the dog to the vets this afternoon. I've only just got in to have a cup of tea Wink

I will definitely contact Sirdar tomorrow afternoon on behalf of the forum members as it's my afternoon off tomorrow Cool

pictish

No rush really Debs Cool

Thanks!!

gilraen

KnittingLadybird

nice!

pictish

That's GORGEOUS!!!!! Cool

cazzie

Cast on for this last night - although I have only done 8 rows - I'm having a panic that it is going to be a bit big - need to have another play tonight I think (and check my tension properly Embarassed

)

melody yarns

I rang Sirdar yesterday afternoon but was put onto voice mail. I hate voice mail, so didn't leave a message; I'll ring back today I promise Wink

pictish

Debs have you heard anything about this? I tried my LYS and saw a piccy of the pattern but no patterns left Sad

pictish

Right have just rung Sirdar and a kind lady has agreed to copy it for us - I am sending off a cheque for £3.50 for 10 copies so if anyone wants one could you PM me and maybe send me a 1st class stamp plus a SAE to cover costs Cool

It will be first come first served.

Aknita

Ali - I have 8 balls of Sirdar cotton DK just doing nothing. Would 8 balls be enough to knit something my size? ( 38-40 )

eta what I have is Sirdar Sost Cotton DK with 111 yds - 102 m per ball. I have of course just realised that until you have the pattern you won't know the answer to this will you Rolling Eyes

but if it is enough I'll say yes please.

pictish

I THINK so - I was thinking I needed 7 or 8 balls of the Bretts Kool Kotton. I haven't got the pattern yet Joy - just sending off today - Debs or Cazzie have tho so let's hope they see this thread Cool

.

cazzie

Aknita

Yes - and no - yes it helps and no I won't have enough I suspect. I am 25m short in each ball which would be 200m over 8 balls wouldn't it? Oh, not to worry - I'll use it on something else - maybe even finish what I started in it!

Thank you Cazzie. Sorry - I was too lazy to look back through the thread this morning Laughing

cazzie

Was no problem - think you would need 10-11 balls of the Sirdar cotton ...

melody yarns

Sorry everyone Embarassed

I've been running round with my tail on fire this week as usual Rolling Eyes

I did try to call Sirdar on two occasions but got voicemail the twice I called - maybe it's because I always ring at 4.30pm!

Thank you very much Ali for sorting this out for us
*slinks off with tail between legs*

pictish

No probs Debs - I just thought I'd try as it's my day off and got through first time Cool

pictish

3 of these are reserved so will only have 7 left - if you want one see above for details of costs and PM me Cool

pictish

*5 left*

pictish

Just 3 left unreserved - see above for details if you want one Wink

pictish

The patterns have arrived!!!!! Will be sending out today to the peops who have sent me the SAE/stamp Cool

Still 3 going.

Going to be swatching today - either Kool Kotton or Sirdar Baby Bamboo Wink

.

Jobo

pictish

I've got sidetracked into the bag KAL somehow Rolling Eyes

but might swatch tomorrow - will let you know how I get on but your pattern is on its way Wink

Jobo

Thank you Ali Smile

I was looking at the Sirdar baby bamboo today when I was out and it looks very nice - but the Kool cotton looks nice as well Very Happy

cazzie

I've started in the Kool Kotton - havent done much yet - but will post a piccie soon. The Sirdar Baby Bamboo is tempting though Very Happy

pictish

Might have to do one of each then Wink

cazzie

Sounds a good idea Wink

melody yarns

Are we ready to start then F&Falongers?

I have my Walnut cotton at the ready (well, okay in the wardrobe waiting for the start of the F&Falong Laughing

)

Jo028

A late sign-up, if Ali still has a pattern available?? I've pm'd you Ali Very Happy

I've never 'feather & fanned ' in my life, so be gentle with me Very Happy

gilraen

I've sent my SAE, and I have my Kool Kotton. I do think I might get to finish Lola before my pattern arrives, which is perfect Smile

pictish

cazzie

pictish

I've swatched Jo and I think either would work for me on 3.75mm - Baby Bamboo or Kool Kotton and I think would be the same if you're sticking with the 4mm of the pattern. I get 24st to 10cm on 3.75mm which would make the 1st size about a 36" which will be ok. I think the Baby Bamboo will be very special as it is a lovely yarn and very drapey. Very silky. But I have already started a ruffly cardi in it Confused

. I have more than enough KK so might just go with that.

I think if you're deciding between the two the KK works out at about 1/4 - 1/3 of the cost of the Baby Bamboo so that might sway you Wink

You would need about 10 balls of BB for the smallest size I reckon.

cazzie

Mine is about spot on to the pattern - using KK on 4mm ( I'm doing second size) Very Happy

Jobo

Thanks for that Ali - I agree with you about price - I was looking at the Baby Bamboo yesterday and it would work out a lot more expensive. Sad

I remembered I have some Holiday cotton which I got from Debs, so I might use that Very Happy

Its the same tension and is a 50/50 cotton acrylic mix so I think it would be perfect. Very Happy

pictish

Think I will cast on in the KK Cool

melody yarns

My Tide cardigan was partly knitted in feather and fan and although Patons cotton dk is quite shiny and un-drapey, the fabric was still drapey when knitted (does that make any sense? Laughing

) due to the pattern.

The patterns suggests Silky Look, so you could definitely use something of that ilk. I've got some Littlewoods cotton and acrylic mix in stash from eons ago and I bet my mum would love this cardi knitted in that yarn. It's cream as well, so mother would be doubly pleased!

I can imagine that a soft acrylic yarn would knit up nicely too, and economically. King Cole produce a soft acrylic - the name escapes me at the moment - and I bet that would be uber-soft and not unlike the baby bamboo yarn Wink

*heads off to find name of yarn*

melody yarns

It's this yarn: King Cole Smooth DK

But having done the maths on meterage, Kool Kotton works out at around half the price for the project for most sizes Shocked

Okay... forget that rubbish idea of mine....

pictish

The KK really is gorgeous at that price too. I prefer the feel to a lot of pure cottons.

cazzie

Do you think this would work in Jaeger Trinity? Might dig some out later and swatch - although I'm definitely knitting mine in KK (or at least the first one Wink

)

pictish

I think so Cazzie - it would be very light and airy Cool

Jobo

cazzie

My progress to date Very Happy

Will also put it here - also playing with some Rowan All seasons Cotton to knit a v neck tank top Very Happy

Jobo

Wow they look lovely Cazzie - you are getting on really well Very Happy

pictish

Oooh both of those are lovely Cazzie Cool

That purple KK is fantastic!!

pictish

Right have cast on in my turquoise KK - piccies later Razz

melody yarns

Absolutely gorgeous!!

I've messed about on here all morning and achieved nowt as usual. I was going to go off to trawl through my woollie bags and sort out my Walnut stuff, but afer seeing Cazzie's lavender KK I might nick a pack from stock and start with that

pictish

Well I have done about 3 repeats of the pattern and while it looks really nice I'm not too sure about the feel of it on 3.75mm Confused

It's a bit tight and not as drapey as I would like. Will maybe do a bit more and ponder. Either I can use something more drapey like the BB or do it on the right needles but it will be very big for me.

Jo028

Ali, are you able to down-size the pattern do you think??

Cazzie, they both look great so far

cazzie

Mum got the smallest size down to a 32" I think - i will check it when little peops in bed Very Happy

pictish

Jo I think the size is smaller - will probably be 36" in the KK.

Jo028

Ali, just looking at the Sirdar California Girls soft cotton book, they have a feather & fan cardi with smaller sizes ( I didn't notice it before!) To fit 34", actual size is 36" is that any better for you??

pictish

Oooh never noticed that - just looking at it now Cool

It is funny cos it says the finished size is 34" but it looks big on the model Confused

Looking at the number of stitches it's only 3 less on the back. But it is nice and is a cardi whereas the other is more of a top I think.

I'd never noticed that one cos the piccies are smaller.

cazzie

Have checked with Mum - how she got down to 32" for DD's top - she used one of the Sirdar Snuggly DK yarns which she said felt quite fine for a DK and went down a needle size too...

pictish

I was wondering Cazzie Very Happy

- I think I might try that instead of the KK. It's so cold here today I'm thinking of hoodies not summer tops tho Rolling Eyes

cazzie

Its been cold here last few days - theres a glimmer of sunshine today Very Happy

My kids are fed up of playing indoors and there's only so many times you can take them to the indoor play areas around here Rolling Eyes

pictish

It's only 10 degrees here Evil or Very Mad

I think it's going to be 19 tomorrow tho Laughing

pictish

Jo and Gliraen your patterns have been posted Cool

gilraen

Yippee!!!! Smile