Olympic Socks

That's right.  I did it.  17 days, 2 new techniques, a new pair of socks!  The 2 at a time sock thing is pretty nifty, because it does eliminate the dreaded second sock syndrome, but I did miss my DPNs from time to time.  And as I said in a previous post, initially I loathed the afterthought heel for making me pick up so many freaking stitches, but it does look cool.  For some reason, the top of these socks came out longer than the bottom, but that just makes them look good from the top.  All in all, I'm happy with them.  

Pattern: Outside In, Janice Kang (Knitty Summer 2009)
Yarn: Knit Picks Imagination Hand Painted Sock Yarn, color - Seven Dwarves
Needles: US 1 1/2 /2.5 mm 60 inch circular (Knit Picks)
Ravelry Link 

Ba ba baba ba ba ba dum dum dudum ba ba dum ba ba dum dum dum

Um, that was the Olympic theme...

Because I am hardcore and because I am crazy and because what better thing to do when you just started a giant sweater project than to start another project, I signed up for the 2010 Knitting Olympics.

(I will admit, I cast on during the opening ceremonies at 10pm EST because I couldn't take casting on at midnight when the flame was lit when I had a 15 hr work day to look forward to the next morning.  But, the rules clearly state to cast on between 6-8pm PST.)  

Anywho, my project is Outside In by Janice Kang.  17 days.  2 new techniques (2 at a time on one circular and an afterthought heel).  1 crazy goal to finish before the flame goes out.

 

Just starting out during the opening ceremonies (I think this is some IOC address)

 
 

Progress thus far

 

The glorious inside of the Outside In socks

Random notes:  

1. There is a big difference between size US 1 2.25mm (what the pattern called for) and size US 1 2.5mm (what I have) needles.  After 4 rows, the sock was clearly going to be giant (and I was already making the medium size) so I managed to whittle down each sock by 8 stitches over the next few rows and am now knitting the small size (for my size 8 1/2 - 9 feet).  The beauty of this is that the tops of the socks will not be too tight around my legs.  Bonus.

2. For some reason (probably because it was near midnight when I checked the pattern) I thought the pattern said the cuff was 15 rows.  When I went to start the leg, I noticed it was actually only 12 rows.  Valuable time has been lost!

3. Only a few snafus so far - mostly 1/2 of one sock where I forgot all decreases for a row, but then made up for it later.

4.  This 2 at a time sock thing is pretty darn awesome.

5.  Sometimes I miss my DPNs.  But I do not miss Second Sock Syndrome.

6.  That is all.  Goodnight!

The Nerdy Old Lady

"...When is my yarn going to be in at the yarn store?" I wondered out loud.
"You ordered yarn at the yarn store?" the Husband asked.
"Um, yeah..."
(hysterical laughter) "NERD!  You're a nerd!  And an old lady!  A nerdy old lady"

Well, it's in!  All 7 skeins of it.  Cascade 220 Heathers, color Turtle. 
(It's going to be the Vivian sweater, by Ysolda Teague.)

That extra skein is to finish Mom's Fetching I started to try Magic Loop, then ran out of yarn in a classic yarn project/yarn : cereal/milk situation.

So, good news Mom!  Your mitts are done!

 

(pictures taken in haste as the batteries to both cameras died at the same time)

Pattern: Fetching (Cheryl Niamath), Knitty Summer 2006

Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers, Autumn

Needles: addi Natura size US 8/5.0 mm 40# circular

Don't worry, the Ishbel is coming along nicely.  Since this picture, the fab green yarn has run out and I've switched to a crazy variegated yarn to finish things out.  I think I'm making it work.

Carry on.

What's So "Magic" About Magic Loop?

Magic Loop.  For a long time I've avoided it.  Who knows why - perhaps it was my strong double pointed needle pride (I mean, come on - it's impressive to knit with FIVE needles at once!), perhaps it was that I couldn't quite visualize how it was supposed to work, or (most likely) perhaps it was just that I didn't have the proper needles.

So when the time came to buy a circular needle with a cable long enough for my up and coming sweater, I decided to give it a try.  I'm currently waiting on the yarn for the sweater and had to Knit Something Right Now to avoid obsessing over the sweater. My mom requested a pair of Fetching, and as it is my favorite instant gratification knit, I decided to use it as an opportunity to learn Magic Loop.  So, with scraps of Cascade 220 from my brother's hat, and my shiny new Addi Natura Size 8/5mm 40 inch circular, I went to work.  (Of course, I ran out of yarn pre-thumb on the second mit, so now I need to get more.)

At first, it was a little fiddly, what with the cables smacking me in the arms, but once I got the hang of it, I can see why people like it.  There aren't as many opportunities for ladders, you only have to adjust your hands and needles once per round instead of thrice, and it does look pretty nifty.

I think in the future, I'll probably alternate between DPNs and magic loop.  It's good to have an ever-expanding arsenal of technique.  And I've already ordered sock sized circulars with loooooong cables because next I'm going to try 2 socks at once on one circular in an attempt to avoid the dreaded Second Sock Syndrome.