Looking at the ripped and wound yarns that I had planned to use for Twisty Turns, I seriously doubt my powers of observation or attention to detail. These two skeins could not possibly work together:
bright autumn
muted plums.
What was I thinking? I have trouble believing that they looked at all similar in the skein either and am inclined to think I was blinded by love and fiberly over stimulation. That I didn't notice while I wound them up is another matter, but it was late afternoon and I was in a hurry to run out the door, yarn in hand.
Needless to say they are now destined for entirely different and separate projects, perhaps hats and scarves for the children at Morse School. I will be happy to have knit them into something used, if not loved, by someone.
Most of Thursday knitting was spent unknitting, rewinding, and then winding sock yarn into skeins. I took the Hydrangea sock yarn from Sundara, thinking this might be a possible travel project as well, although I am still planning on working on Mermaid's sleeves as well.
I had a great deal of trouble untangling the yarn from the skein, getting it on the winder, and winding it into a center-pull ball. I had enough trouble with the first skein that I asked for Theresa's help with the second and she grumbled a bit as well. But we managed.
I absolutely love knitting this yarn!!! However I have little progress to show yet:
I had started on the recommended size 2 DPNs, knowing better of course, but as usually hoping beyond hope that it would work. The first sock top came in at 6 stitches/inch when it should have been 8. I am not following the pattern exactly, I am sticking on my now favorite picot edge top and then perhaps I will follow the pattern, no commitments have been made as yet.
But back to gauge: I was 2 stitches too loose which means I need to go down 4 needle sizes, or at least that was what I was taught as a mere novice knitter, and I have found that advice to be pretty good so far.
But I balked.
I immediately realized that I would have to knit on 000 needles. I don't mind knitting tiny, my other socks have been 7 1/2 to 9 stitches per inch, but not yet on 000's. I own the 000's and even 0000's but no 00's, so the triple 0's had better work.
So far it looks good, but I don't have enough to really tell. The fabric is firmer which is good as the first sock was too floppy. My only complaint is that I can't find tiny tiny needles in 6 inch lengths, which I prefer, and I find the 8 inch 000's a bit more cumbersome to work with. My only other caution at this point is that I am not sure if I can knit these socks on these needles on the plane, but I don't have two circulars this size. I have never had problems with knitting on flights, but then I have never tried carrying 5 long narrow pointy 8" size 000 double points either. They look like weapons to me.
Today's tasks are to get a little further on my sock and confirm that I am on gauge and also to seam the body of Mermaid so I can measure and start the sleeves. Once I have decided on the travel knitting, I can move on to packing those other, less necessary items.
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