Needled

Remember the sock I cast on?



Look at it now. Something's different.



Yep, different needles. I started the sock on a size 1, 9 inch Hiya Hiya needle. I love that little needle! My short fingers can easily handle it. I knit on them for about a day and a half--no trouble. Then I cast on for the sweater. Size 5 needle, 24 inches. Huge by comparison!

I worked on the sweater for a while and then went back to the sock. And I couldn't handle the little needle anymore! I tried a couple of rounds and it was torture. Not only did my fingers cramp, they had also forgotten how to even hold the needle. I took an overnight break from knitting the sweater to see if my touch for the Hiya Hiya needle returned. It didn't.

So I transferred the sock over to double points--size 0. I like to go down to 0 for the sock body--the fabric is firmer. A tight knit sock won't wear out as quickly as one that's knit looser.

So as much as I complained about dpns and swore I would never, ever use them again--there I was happily and quickly knitting on them! When using them, there's a feeling of substance.

I thought about two needles and magic loop--but I just wasn't in the mood for them. And, besides, I really like using the needle tube!

C is for. . .

Casting on for new projects!

Yes, plural. Projects--two of them. I promised myself that, once I finished the Fussy Watch Cap, I'd start these two knits.

Nothing fancy--just a plain sock. A portable project. The yarn is from Sundara's Petal Collection sock club--Lenten Rose. (I just realized that Ash Wednesday is next week. Probably the subconscious at work when I chose the yarn out of the stash.)



And I've cast on for a sweater. My first one! The pattern is Anne Hanson's Jackie and the yarn is Briar Rose Fibers Fourth of July in a custom color.



This doesn't look like much. But since I've been talking about this sweater since November, I've finally taken the first step--casting on!