the blue blog archives: coming up short? we can help!

Yesterday I mentioned that I had to put the bugs on hold because my circular needle was too long to keep knitting in the round after taking off the neck stitches (and adding a small neck steek). Shortly after buying a new needle today, I stumbled upon Marilyn's, aka the Knitting Curmudgeon's, latest blog entry describing a technique that could solve the problem, by pulling a so-called magic loop of circ cable out of the round of knitting and just pretending that the needle is shorter. Marilyn does a good job summing up the pros and cons of the technique, so check out her thoughts.

Then later today, Michelle, aka another knitting blogger, mentioned the same technique in my comments and posted some pictures of it in progress on her blog. How helpful (and handy, as Marilyn would say!).

The idea looks pretty cool. I'm almost disappointed that I was able to get the needle that I needed! I think I will try it out when I start the sleeves of the second Dale sweater, since I found it difficult to deal with the two-color knitting and the basic double-pointed five-needle fumbling all at the same time. I'd love to be able to avoid that in the future. I had thought about those teeny little Clover needles, but can you really use those with adult sized fingers??

Anyway, thanks to you bloggers out there for being so gosh-durned knowledgeable and sharing your experiences. And since this is my blog and it's all about sharing my experiences, here now (brought to you by new size one, 16" Crystal Palace bamboo circs) my funny kangaroo pouch developing over the back neck steek.

posted by alison at 10:15 pm | in bugs! , techniques

Comments

I have a hard time knitting with my small Addi circulars so I can't imagine using the teeny Clovers. My hands start cramping up. I am also interested in trying the magic loop technique. I recently made the switch to 2 circulars for sock knitting and liked it a lot. Still not ready to give away my dps though.

Posted by: Melissa at January 22, 2003 6:25 AM

Melissa:

My hands cramp up when using the skinny needles if I try to knit too fast... I don't know if that is any help to you or not...

Alison: Is the pattern for the mutssjaals in English or French? If French, how hard is it to follow if you don't know french? ALSO, what size does it run up to? (That wouldn't be a deterrant to me as I just finished knitting a vinterlue hat (Theresa's pattern from Fall Knitty) for a child using worsted weight yarn even tho it was sized for an adult using bulky Lopi & I had to adjust the number of stitches & rows to get it right for my little blockheads! ) Those mutssjaals actually might be nice for grownups as well, don'tcha think?

Posted by: Jessica at January 22, 2003 11:42 AM

Hi Melissa! I agree about keeping the double-points. I like using them for socks and so haven't even considered the two circular needle technique. But so many people say they like it, I'm tempted to try it out. I'd love to be able to try out the tiny circs before buying a pair to see if they are impossible or not. Maybe I'll splurge sometime and just get some ('cause they're so darn cute!).

Jessica, the mutssjaals pattern was in French. I haven't seen that catalog offered in english anywhere. It is, however, a catalog for beginning knitters with pictures in the back and relatively easy patterns, so you might be able to make your way through without a translation. Of course, I could help you if you got stuck somewhere along the way! Becky did a translation for me and I'm sure you could get one from her for some small reimbursement. I think it would be a great pattern to size up for adults!

Posted by: alison at January 22, 2003 12:20 PM

Thanks, Alison! I'll see if Knit N Tyme can get the pattern/booklet, it sounds do-able the way you describe it!

It doesn't get very cold where I live (Texas) so knitting warm things for growing children is almost silly, except for small items... I do them anyway... I figure if my almost 8 year old twins can wear something for a year or less, we can pass it down 2 more times to their younger brothers...

Posted by: Jessica at January 22, 2003 4:21 PM