Done, done and done!

My aunt’s socks are finally finished! And only 4 months late… I hope she likes them!

Pattern: Morrocan Lace Socks (aka “Pico” socks)
Designer: Lisa Lackney
Published in: Knitcircus Magazine, Issue #4, October 2008
Yarn: Hazel Knits Artisan Sock, colorway Equinox
Needles: Knit Picks circular US 0 / 2.0 mm working magic loop

My Ravelry page says I started these socks on June 4, 2009. Eeek! I bought the yarn from rosiekittie’s stash on Ravelry. My gauge was way off from the pattern, so I ended up going down from a size 2 needle to size 0! I then started knitting on some horrendous bamboo dpns which ultimately sidelined me with an arm injury. Go figure. I ended up switching to a size 0 Knit Picks circular needle to finish the second sock. I really should have used the one long circular needle right from the start. And unfortunately switching needles partway through this project changed my gauge, but it’s not too apparent.

Mods: I tried to work the picot cast on but I wasn’t pleased with how it turned out. I ended up doing a regular longtail cast on instead which looks quite nice. I worked 6 repeats of the lace chart on the leg instead of 7. When I got to the toe shaping, I first knit it as written (the standard toe) but decided the toe looked too plain. So I ripped it out and worked the star toe from the Embossed Leaves socks pattern. Much better!

This pattern presupposes you’ve knit socks before, so don’t start with this one if you’re a beginner. I was a bit confused with the instructions for picking up gusset sts because it didn’t seem to be written in a logical order from needle to needle. But I’ve knit socks before so I was able to figure it out.

Yesterday while I was waiting for Lisa and Beth outside of the Union Project, I pulled out my knitting. I don’t knit in public to be a spectacle or to actively promote knitting, per say. I knit in public because I’m addicted to knitting, and if I have any moment to spare then why not be productive? I anticipated the usual comments from passers-by. 2 older ladies came over to admire, or rather make comments, about the socks. One comment was about how pretty the cables look. Ummm, it’s lace actually. Then came this one: “My goodness, they’re a little too thick for my liking!” Perfect, since they’re not for YOU! Seesh!

Read Full Post »

red light go!

What is it about drivers here in Pittsburgh? I have synesthesia, but that doesn’t prevent me from distinguishing between red and green lights. Or from noticing the bright fluorescent yellow PEDESTRIAN CROSSING signs placed in the middle of the street. That’s all this disgruntled pedestrian will say on the subject. Moving on to knitting…

huh?? My camera works again!

I’ve stalled a bit on a wrap I’m designing. It’s a unique design in which I need to know exactly how the final edge border will be worked before I can continue knitting the bulk of the item. I have about 1/3 of the wrap done so far and it’s looking lovely all pinned out on my blocking board, waiting for some magical border inspiration to hit. In the meantime, I picked up my aunt’s “pico” socks again and I’m making good progress. I started them earlier this summer using size 0 bamboo dpns which just about did me in, literally. I had a pesky pain in my left arm for days because of these stupid dpns and had to stop knitting completely for what seemed like years (even if it was only for a week). Then came urgent projects and some magazine submissions, etc… so the socks were placed on the back burner until last week. I’m now using some heavenly knit picks nickel plated circulars (for magic loop) instead of those wretched dpns and I’m making so much progress! The leg on the right sock is totally done, and I have another 5 lace repeats to go on the left to catch up. Maybe these socks will actually get finished and gifted before winter starts??

I think I’ve decided to sell my knitting patterns on Patternfish, an online store where people can buy or sell knitting or crochet patterns as customized PDF downloads. As I’m super lazy, and I make no effort to hide that fact (which in itself is lazy), I just never got around to it. I do sell a few patterns through Etsy and Ravelry, but I have a few newer designs and I could definitely stand some more exposure. I need to reformat some of my patterns to fit the Patternfish template but I think in the end it will be worth it. Some of my old patterns need spruced up anyway. 🙂

Read Full Post »

Review of Knit Picks Options Nickel Plated Circular Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set

It’s always interesting to look at my blog statistics because I can see what people are googling that ultimately leads them to my site. One popular search is for reviews of the Knit Picks Options Nickel Plated Circular Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set. While I hadn’t previously reviewed these needles, I did write a post a while back asking for opinions (I was debating whether or not to include this set on my Xmas list). Well, I did write it on my list, and thanks for the gift, Mom!

Overall a great needle set.  So now I think a full review is in order so you can decide if this set would be worth having in your knitting bag.

This set contains nickel plated needle tips ranging from sizes 4 US to 11 US. It also comes with 4 flexible cables to make needle lengths of 24″ and 32″ (2 of each). Also included are end caps that screw onto the cables for times when you need to either put aside your work or swap out needle tips for another project, and a pin for tightening the needle tips to the cord. All this is enclosed in a zippered see-through plastic pouch.

These nickel plated needles are super slick, they are pointier than Addi Turbos (yet not so pointy that you stab yourself), and the cable is extremely pliable. The join from the needle tip to the cable is ultra smooth, and the thread on the end of the cable is so long that I’ve not yet had any problems with the needle tip coming apart from the cable. I also received the 40″ and 47″ cables (which need to be ordered separately), and these have worked great for magic loop.

However, I’m sad that the set doesn’t come with 16″ cables, but I guess this would be physically impossible to create. With fixed circular needles, the length of the needle tip is somewhat proportional to the cable length. The needle tips in this set would be much too long to accommodate a 16″ cable. Also, the needle sizes don’t go smaller than a size 4 US. Again, I suppose it’s not physically possible to make sizes 0-3 US as interchangeable needles because the join wouldn’t be stable enough.

Even though I’m very satisfied with this set, here are some improvements I’d recommend (and I’ll be sure to send Knit Picks my suggestions):

1). Make different colored cables for different cable lengths. When I need a specific length circular needle for a project, I sometimes have to measure the cables first to be able to tell which length is which. It’s a little harder to do this when the cable is being used in another project.

2). I’d like a nickel-plated join that can be used to join cable to cable. When I’m working on a sweater in the round, I often need to slide part of the knitting onto a longer length cable to either try the garment on or to lay it flat. This additional join would make inserting this new cable a much quicker job, rather than having to knit across one side with another length needle. (If anyone has any tips how to do this more efficiently, let me know).

3). Make the circular loop end of the tightening pin completely closed so it can be attached to a key chain or measuring tape for easy access. I hate having to root around for it in the little ziplock pouch it comes in because the pin is so tiny. I suppose I could take pliers and force it shut, but I’d rather not…

All in all, I am very happy with this interchangeable set. And comparing prices, this set clearly wins over the new Addi Turbo interchangeable set. I believe the Addi needle set clocks in at close to $140, whereas the Knit Picks set is about $60. And I’ve heard negative reviews of the plastic Denise set, mainly that the join pops open fairly easily, and the cables are much too massive to work with.

So there you go. I hope my review tips the scales for you one way or the other. Happy Knitting! 🙂

Read Full Post »