The simplest things

Do you know what this is?

Some very slubby yarn was used to make this.

Obviously, it's some kind of fabric. But as I looked at this swatch from a distance, I first thought it was some type of woven cloth. As I got closer I decided it was some type of lay in (or "knitweave") that I had done years ago; the yarn was looking familiar.

I came across this swatch as I was unpacking boxes last week. This box was one from the old days and hadn't been opened in years. (Yes, for those keeping track, I've been moved back to my work space last Monday. My temporary relocation is officially over, but lots of stuff will probably be in boxes for a while. We are making a grand effort to get very organized and I can only organize in my "spare" time, as I've got my new cut and sew project going.)

This swatch is actually a 1x1 slip stitch pattern using 2 yarns, one a heathered, teal blue wool, the other a slubby rayon/wool/silk variegated blend of gold, olive green and aqua. Pictured above is the technical back and public side. Below is the technical front.

Though I tend to stay away from slubby, boucle or novelty yarns these days, I really like the uneven stitches in this swatch. 

The slip stitches keep this swatch from having much sideways stretch, but that can be a good thing in certain applications. This stitch pattern is so easy to knit. It's pattern card #1 with most knitting machines and then it's just 2 carriage passes (RC2) with each yarn. Sometimes the simplest things are so effective.  I may just have to shop for some new yarns to reproduce this.