Now that the kids aren't in daycare much, they are afternoon napping like champs again! This has allowed huge progess on my projects. As promised, some non-hat-related knitting content follows.
I resurrected my Debbie Bliss cardigan, now that holiday knits are done and I'm allowed to knit for myself again. The only problem was finding a sufficiently long needle to work 500+ stitches. Someone suggested my Denise kit, but I've lately been inadvertently doing that little quarter-twist while knitting, and the thought of 500 stitches tumbling off at the joins was enough to give me cramps. Then came the brainwave: Knitpicks makes insanely long cords for their Options needles!
I cannot begin to express my love for Knitpicks. Their quality is superb, their shipping is quick and reasonable, and their customer service is the best on the web. My Options needles have quickly surpassed my Denises as my first choice. I thought nothing could displace my beloved Denise set as my favourite, but it happened in less than three months. My 60 inch cords (yes, cords, they arrive in sets of 2, with end caps and tightening tool) arrived early this week, along with just a couple more of their fixed-join circulars for socks. I now have sizes 0-3 inclusive in the 32-inch length, which should cover off all of my potential needs for this year's Rockin' Sock Club.
I instantly dug out my Handmaiden Ottawa and got back to work. No photography or words could amply express the beauty of this yarn. The thick and thin, the undyed tweedy bits, the delicious Cape Breton Highlands colourway... I may never leave the house again.
Next was some more socks. Knitpicks Essential. Better than its Tweed cousin, quite inexpensive, but not up there with my favourites (Opal, Cherry Tree Hill, Fleece Artist) for feel. These ones were done toe-up on a 2.5 mm circular, Magic Loop, 72 stitches.
These were inspired by Thuja, but with a slightly "seedier" rib. Worked over a 9-stitch repeat as follows: Row 1: (k3, p1, k1, p1, k3) Row 2: (k1, p1, k4). These are a surprise for a sometimes-reader, but he'll be picking them up in a couple of hours, so here's hoping he stays occupied with his kitchen cupboards until he gets here.
Next is an experiment in Sockitecture (Cat Bordhi's term, not mine). When I attended a workshop with her a couple of summers ago, she told our very excited group that she was exploring some new forms of sock construction for an upcoming book or books. She asked the question, "Do a sock's gussets have to be at the side of the foot?" and the answer was a resounding "NO!"
Here's a plain stockinette sock worked in Online Highland Colours. The only change I made to my toe-up recipe was to move the gusset increases to the centre front of the sock. I think the effect is seriously cool.
So, how about embracing the second sock syndrome?
IT'S MAKING ME CRAZY!
I can't handle it. The little Ziplocs in my stash room are occupying my every thought. I think the lack of order is mirroring the current chaos in my personal life. In any case, I can't take it, and all of my socks are getting mates this month. Can't say I didn't try.
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