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February 8, 2006
Ombre? Who's That?
Ombre saw absolutely no action yesterday. I know, I had big plans to get to the half way point, but you see...this thing came up. What thing? Well, ... the second Nordic Mitten was almost done - like only half the thumb and the facing left to knit done. So, what else could I do except finish it last night? Yeah, I could have done it today on the drive and at lunch, but there wasn't enough knitting to hold me for the whole day, so clearly I had no choice but to finish it at home and start a new portable project for today. No choice, I tell ya. Mitten number 2 took a swim and is blocking as we speak. Pictures tomorrow.
As for the new project - I had a hard time choosing, but choose I did. The other day at the guild meeting a couple of ladies were talking about knitting socks on 2 circular needles and how we needed to have a guild meeting dedicated to learning this method together. Yeah, that's clearly what we need to do. Are you freaking kidding me? My whole anti-class personality came out and I decided I'd just learn it on my own. I mean really, could it be that complicated? I've knit with a magic loop - surely it wasn't going to be that hard. But, I sent an SOS to one of my favorite 2 circular pals and heard a report on the method from our favorite Jaywalking Knitter just to be sure I wasn't completely crazy. Purly referred me to this website and off I went, with a stop for some needles along the way.
I decided I needed a relatively simple pattern for my first attempt and since I've been meaning to knit Travis some socks and I had some sport weight yarn that's supposedly indestructible, I decided on the Tech Guy Socks. So, last night after finishing the mitten I wound the yarn into a ball.
Let me tell you what - I had to wind the last bit by hand because it wouldn't all fit on my ball winder. This is one big ass ball of yarn. Here's proof.
That, my friends, is the biggest ball of yarn I've ever seen - 8 full ounces of Icelandic fiber goodness. I don't think I need to worry about running out of yarn! I cast-on last night and got the hang of the whole 2 needle thing - seems pretty simple and fairly quick. I finished the cuff ribbing and have just started on the 3x1 ribbing for the leg. Mindless knitting is great sometimes.
Ombre tonight. I promise.
Comments
I actually learned 2S2C first, then ML - I have the same "anit-class" mentality, so I taught myself taking the Cat Bordhi book out of the library and sitting down one night to do it. It's pretty logical once you get it. Can't wait to see the socks and curious if you think it's any faster than ML.....
Posted by: Stacey at February 8, 2006 12:22 PM
Wow, that's weird. I just decided to learn the 2-circ method too! I've had a few false starts because I'm doing two socks at once and I keep, um, getting the yarn tangled up. I swear I will GET it. Hope Travis likes his socks!
Posted by: Katherine at February 8, 2006 12:26 PM
Check out Queen Kahuna's Crazy Toes and Heels! She has a book on the technique for knitting two socks simultaneously on two circs, toe up. In fact, I have liked her method well enough to be teaching a class on it at my LYS this month, using her book as the text.
Posted by: Dianna at February 8, 2006 12:45 PM
We must ALWAYS have a sock (or two or more) on the needles. Ombre will be done when her time comes. Nothing is knit before its time.
Can't wait to see the mittens!
Posted by: margene at February 8, 2006 12:54 PM
you know your mother might disown you...hee hee.
I Like the yarn for your husband's socks. I need to make my hubby some socks, I just never get around to it.
Posted by: Rebekah at February 8, 2006 1:02 PM
Oooooh - those are gonna be some nice socks. Hopefully Travis will wear them - my DH says the ones I made for him are "too nice" and doesn't want to ruin them. Now that I remember that, I', stealing them back for myself.
Posted by: PumpkinMama at February 8, 2006 1:10 PM
Hey miss, you can totally do two socks at once with ML! So easy! Who needs a class?
Posted by: Angela at February 8, 2006 1:13 PM
I keep trying, but, sigh, I cannot force myself to like the socks on 2 circs method. I still think it's a plot to sell more Addi's, but I love my little bamboo dpn's! We're happy. Now, as for your wicked big ball of yarn, they have come out with a gigundous new plastic ball winder that is on my Wish List....it holds a full POUND of yarn! (It's $119, but, hey, it's only money!)
Posted by: Marcia at February 8, 2006 1:35 PM
Good for you teaching yourself to do two socks at once. Nothing in knitting is so hard that you can't learn it from a book or website. I hope the learning process is quick.
Posted by: Emily at February 8, 2006 1:58 PM
It's kind of ironic... I was discussing this same exact thing last night at my knitting group. One of the girls was doing two toe-up socks on one 42" circ. I'm going to try to teach myself soon!
Can't wait to see the mitts!
Posted by: Coleen at February 8, 2006 3:37 PM
Socks on 2 circulars is a piece of cake. In fact, I find it easier and faster than DPN's. You will have no problem. I use a pair of 24" cable needles but sometimes I think I could go shorter than that. Have fun starting your new project/technique!
Posted by: Lynette at February 8, 2006 6:15 PM
Great yarn for those socks, Steph!
Good luck with Ombre.
Posted by: Lolly at February 9, 2006 8:48 AM
The sock looks good so far! It's great that you are teaching yourself a new technique. I'm thinking of trying Magic Loop soon. I would be interested in hearing down the road whether you like Magic Loop or two circs better. Hope you have a great day!
Posted by: caitlyn at February 9, 2006 9:21 AM
