I started on the second Kew sock a couple days ago.  The striping isn't working out exactly like it did on the first sock, so I'm starting to think that the pooling problem I got on the foot of the first sock was only partly a gauge problem and also partly evidence of the yarn actually being differently variegated at some parts of the skein.  This may be my last pair of self-striping socks.

The Spiral Rib Bag is still on the needles, and likely to remain so until I can get my hands on a second skein of Blue Sky Cotton.  The bag just isn't tall enough that I can use some of the yarn for the body to make the ruffle.  I like the proportions the way they are, and it risks looking too short and stout if I undo even a few rows.

So, I started a pair of kew socks using TOFUtsies (in Best Foot Forward) and #2 dpns.  I've finished one sock now.  (pictures forthcoming, sometime when I'm not at school.  So, make that, pictures to be posted in May.  Bear with me kids.)  I really am in love with this pattern.  The lace is simple and pretty, I didn't get the usual holes at the point where the stitches split to form the heel flap and the instep, and the finished sock fits perfectly.  (I think that's my favorite thing about hand-knitted socks in general.  I'm kind of particular about sock fit.  I find most socks either too big or too small, but I can always make my knitted ones exactly right.  Just call me Goldilocks.)

However, as much as I love this pattern, I won't make it again with self-striping yarn.  The striping plus the lace makes for a too-busy effect, and I ended up with some less-than-attractive pooling due to the difference in gauge between the lace pattern of the instep and stockinette on the sole.  (Luckily, the worst of the pooling is mostly on the sole, and thus hidden.  We'll see if I can manage that on the second sock.)  However, I do want to make this pattern again in a semi-solid or solid yarn because, like I said, I'm in love.


Somewhat unrelated: do you find that your smaller diameter wooden dpns tend to bow a bit after you've used them for a while?  Or is there something wrong with the way I'm holding my needles?  Am I just too tense?  Is it the needles I buy?  I'm on my second set of Clover bamboo #2 dpns right now, but I might bite the bullet and buy some more expensive hardwood needles if I could be convinced that they wouldn't have this problem.  (This is the cue for the marketing reps from Lantern Moon to start commenting here.)  Is there anything to do about this, other than switch to plastic (shudder) or metal (too slippery)?  Thoughts?  Experiences?

I'm almost done with the Spiral Rib Bag I posted about yesterday.  I think it's going to be really cute!  (I'll post pictures when I'm not in class.)  Talk about instant gratification knitting!!

Except, not quite, becuase I ran out of yarn when I was almost done with the ruffle that forms the top of the bag, so now I have to either (a) go out and get another skein just to complete the ruffle and knit a few feet of i-cord or (b) tear out an inch or so of the top of the bag so I'll have enough yarn to finish.

Not that another skein of Blue Sky Cotton would go unused for long, but it's the principle of the thing.  I like the efficiency of finishing something with one skein, especially when that's the theme of the book!  On the other hand, I hate frogging things when they're going well.  I'm as much of a perfectionist as the next knitter, and I'm content to frog and re-knit things that aren't working out, but I really can't stand tearing out mistake-free rows.  Like re-writing from memory something that's been lost as opposed to editing something extant.

Oh, the knitterly frustration

(hmmm... maybe my mommy will buy me yarn when she comes into town this weekend.  There's a store on 79th I've been meaning to check out.  Then again, probably not her idea of an exciting Sunday afternoon...)


unrelated: don't you just love how the little "tired" icon yawns every few seconds?  I do.

So, I started working on the Spiral Rib Bag from One Skein, which bluegreysky gave me for my birthday.  I'm using Blue Sky Cotton in a very pale pink, two strands held together on #10 needles.  I think it will be pretty sturdy when it's finished, but I want to line it with a fun fabric anyway.


Eventually, the bag will be about as tall as it is wide, with a bit of a ruffle at the top edge and i-cord run through eyelets to hold it closed.

The pattern said to start with a provisional cast-on, then knit the body (the spiral rib part), then go back and take out the waste yarn and decrease for the bottom of the bag from there.  Instead, I started with five sts and increased to form the bottom of the bag, then just continued knitting into the body.  No provisional cast-on necessary!  (Also, because two of my #10 dpns are missing, I had to learn how to knit in the round using two circulars, which is actually kind of cool!)

If you're just making your way over here from _lilymay_, this is indeed the new knitblog.

I don't really have much more to say than that, but I felt I needed a kind of explanatory inaugural entry.

That's all.