In this series of posts, we’re testing Universal Yarn’s Rozetti Cotton Gold, a fine yarn with sequins (or payettes) spaced evenly apart.
Monday’s post addressed step 1 – the yarn attributes, and yesterday’s post described step 2 — what I call a “benchmark sample”, where you take the manufacturer’s recommended gauge and needles, and make a sample. Each day we’re going to analyze the day’s sample to complete step 4, the analysis.
![A photo of a swatch of Cotton Gold, with (from top) reverse stocking stitch, stocking stitch, and garter stitch.](https://knitmuch.com/wp-content/uploads/img4139-208852-o-sa.jpg)
Yesterday’s benchmark sample
Today and tomorrow we’re going to be branching out, which is step 3. Branching out is where the fun really begins. It’s a process of experimentation that can lead to creating your own design.
Branching out is a bit like doodling with yarn. I like to call it “playtime for the right brain.” It’s a great time to pull out a knitting stitch dictionary and test out some new stitch patterns. Today, though, we’re doing another simple pattern, with the addition of a second yarn.
One of the free patterns on the Universal Yarn website is the Halo and Sparkle Sweater. I drew inspiration from this piece to create today’s sample.
![A cream colored sweater with gold sequins, long sleeves, and a scooped neck](https://knitmuch.com/wp-content/uploads/haloandsparklesweater-207511-o-sa-525x788.jpg)
The Halo and Sparkle sweater is a free pattern on the Universal Yarn website that uses Rozetti Cotton Gold and Amphora, worked with a strand of each yarn throughout
Having seen what the fabric made with yarns of similar color looks like, I opted to take the sapphire blue ball and knit it with cream-colored lace weight yarn.
I made this sample a little larger and also used larger needles — size US 7 [4.5mm].
![A square made holding a strand of Cotton Gold with a strand of cream laceweight. Two strands of the cream laceweight were used to make a garter stitch frame.](https://knitmuch.com/wp-content/uploads/img4138-208849-o.jpg)
The distribution of sequins on this sample of Cotton Gold with a cream colored laceweight yarn is quite attractive. Larger needles and a lace pattern would make a nice warm shawl.
Analysis: The sequins are well distributed, and combining a bold color with a neutral results in a blended shade that from a distance takes the bold out of the Cotton Gold color. This might be desirable, or a bolder blue similar to the Cotton Gold blue might be preferred.
A shawl made of Cotton Gold alone would be a striking piece to wear to a holiday event or black tie affair. Combining Cotton Gold with a rich wool or even a blend of acrylic, mohair, and alpaca, such as Universal Yarn’s Amphora, grounds the sparkle and makes a more subtle piece that could be worn on other occasions such as weddings, and perhaps even under a business jacket to the office.
What would you want to make from this sample?
This is part 4 of 5 in this series.
Go back to part 3: Knit a benchmark sample using Rozetti Cotton Gold yarn
Go to part 5: Creating knitted accents with Rozetti Cotton Gold yarn
1 comment
I love this yarn-you could make this pattern be dressed up or down-so many ways.