November 14, 2005
One sock, one circ, times two
When Wendy said she found that knitting two socks at once seemed to go as quickly as knitting one sock at once, I knew I had to give it a try. And as Alison had just emailed to take me up on my offer to knit a pair of socks for someone let down by her Sockapaltwoza pal, and since ‘green’ was among the requested colours and I had this Koigu just sitting here... well, it seemed like the ideal opportunity. Originally I had planned another pair of Elfine’s. But then I thought why not try something new instead?
So here we are:
It only took a few hours for me to get the technique straight. But soon after that I realised that any speed gained by knitting two socks at once (don't ask me how knitting can sometimes bend time. I only know that it can) was being eaten again by the unentangling of circular needs and two balls of yarn after every thirty stitches. That kind of palaver slows a girl up. So I resorted to two socks, each on separate circular needs (ie magic loop). And I've been alternating between them (one rpt on sock 1, one on sock 2, repeat til complete). Much better.
They’re coming on fast. The picture above was taken Saturday morning. Saturday evening I turned two heels, and now I’m above the ankle bone. This will be the first pair of socks completed within a week. That’s quite something.
Here’s the obligatory close-up: it's Koigu – it lives for close-ups.
While we’re on the subject of WIPs, there’s this, my car knitting, my last ever Clapotis (I am exceedingly fond of them in solid colours – but this one is not for me. Few people can wear egg-yolk yellow successfully, and I am not one of them).
And this. I have a pile to seam.
What a scattered post. In a day or two I’ll show you pics of my finished little red jacket, and something similar for someone much smaller. Oh and my new haircut too. Try to contain yourselves.
Finally... This will be the last time I participate in one of ‘what-random-information-says-about-your-personality’, due to the fact that they only ever seem to affirm my belief, carefully cultivated over years of mental illness, that I am, at core, ‘a bad person’. Who writes these things? Do they think this information will be gratefully received by anyone? ‘Extreme manipulation tactics’ indeed. Know me at your peril.
| Your Birthdate: July 12 |
 You tend to charm strangers easily. And you usually can get what you want from them. Verbally talented, you tend to persuade people with your speaking and writing. You are affectionate and loving, but it's hard for you to commit to any one relationship. Your strength: Your charm Your weakness: Your extreme manipulation tactics Your power color: Indigo Your power symbol: Four leaf clover Your power month: December |
Posted by Anna at November 14, 2005 01:23 PM
Comments
At least your power color is nice, mine was tan -- TAN!
The socks look great. Your Sockapaltwoza pal is a lucky girl/guy.
Posted by: Amy at November 14, 2005 03:44 PM
I used to have the tangled yarn thing with 2 socks and 1 circ. Then, I finally figured it out. If I always turn the needles so that the cast on yarn tail swings towards me, I don't get tangles at all. My yarn sits cozy in a teeny silk-lined pouch I can hang on my wrist that my husband brought back from a trip. It really does go faster this way, especially on good needles.
Posted by: Linda Swenberg at November 14, 2005 05:18 PM
I agree with Amy - my birth date is June 16th, which aparently makes me utterly weak and a weed.
Halo trees, halo flouwers, indeed.
Posted by: Kitty at November 14, 2005 06:24 PM
It is just amazing to find so many different colours in that colourway of Koigu!
So you are a Cancerian ... me too! ;)
Posted by: Agnes at November 14, 2005 06:41 PM
Nice colors! Your knitting always inspires me. :)
Posted by: Liz at November 14, 2005 06:42 PM
beautiful socks! koigu is a great choice too. who wouldn't like koigu?
btw, when working with more than one ball at a time i've started to either rubber band them together or put them in a ziploc. i found that when they can't cross each other it's much easier for them to stay detangled.
Posted by: jody at November 14, 2005 06:43 PM
No one who knits such beautiful things could be a bad person, I promise. And we Cancerians (are all knitters Cancers?) have lots of redeeming qualities.
I'm now going to order a lot of koigu...
Posted by: Kat at November 14, 2005 06:53 PM
the socks are gorgeous! and i'm a fan of that clapotis colour...
a pox on that quiz! the last one that i did basically said that i was stupid, so of course they're all wrong. :-)
Posted by: mrspilkington at November 14, 2005 07:36 PM
I find that as long as I alternate the direction in which I turn my needles (clockwise, then counter-clockwise, then clockwise again, etc), the yarn doesn't get tangled. We're creatures of habit, so this seems awkward, but it helps!
Posted by: --Deb at November 14, 2005 07:38 PM
I adore your socks lately. Especially the lace-top ones (solid color?) awhile back. My knitting heart melted.
Planning any trades soon? I'd love to exchange a package or two with you after the Christmas season is up. =)
Posted by: Pip at November 14, 2005 07:58 PM
we must be on the same vibe this week! great socks! what a lucky pal!
why is my clap taking forever? hrm, maybe I should send it to you to finish :P
my power color was tan, blah (though apparently I want to take over the world)
can't wait to see the new jacket and cut.
Posted by: yahaira at November 14, 2005 08:24 PM
Thank goodness! I thought I was the only one having trouble with two socks on one circular :-)
Posted by: janine at November 14, 2005 08:29 PM
Another way to keep from tangling two balls of yarn when working two socks simulaneously is to tuck each ball into its appropriate sock once you've worked enough to hold the ball. Then you can pull out enough as you go without having the ball making trouble.
How good of you to knit an emergency pair!
Posted by: Jen at November 14, 2005 08:31 PM
Finally someone else who thinks those online quizes are silly. they never match me very well, I too am a cancer. Love the socks! They are looking very very lovely! The poor sweet sock pal who was abandoned is sure to love them and give them a great home! Can't wait to see the new hair cut! Have a good day.
Posted by: stefanie at November 14, 2005 09:58 PM
Repeat after me: "I am a good person!"
Posted by: B. at November 15, 2005 03:46 PM
I think those results are open to interpretation. Think of it as having a super-power, and, like any super-power, it can be used for good or for evil. You, of course, are a superhero who chooses the righteous path. Think of yourself as Captain Charming who uses her powers of persuasion to fight injustice, and, in her spare time, to coax wool into submission.
Posted by: Petula at November 16, 2005 04:22 PM
Great socks! They are my favourite colour. LOL I also have the same problem with two socks on one circ (or two circs) - hopeless tangles.
My power colour is LIME and my power month March. I hate March here - the days shrink madly. I do not believe in these quizzes - they are silly. Still, you sound like an iNFp - always doing battle against the powers of darkness within you.
Posted by: lynne s of oz at November 20, 2005 01:06 AM
Do you happen to know which colorway that is? I must have it! The socks look great.
Posted by: Shanidy at January 4, 2006 10:12 PM
if you dont mind me asking, what size needles did you wind up using for the socks ? It looks like they are a sz 3. Am I right ?
Posted by: cg13 at April 25, 2006 04:04 AM
the colors are beautiful, think i need to do these , what a beautiful job you did on the socks and scarf
Posted by: lj at September 22, 2006 09:49 PM