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June 11, 2008
New Project Giddiness
There's something exciting about starting a new sock. It's like a bright sunshiney day. There's all that excitement about finding the pattern and then picking the perfect yarn out of the stash. Then you get to pick out the needles - dpns, magic loop, size 0, size 1 ... all those choices. And once you have it all together, then you get to cast on. New project nirvana.
I picked the Francie pattern because I saw Stephanie's (scroll down a bit) and thought they were the cutest things I'd seen in awhile. Have you seen that shaping? The ribbing on the foot? I think they're fabulously cool.
Then I needed to find some yarn. I have a good stash of sock yarn (really, who doesn't?), so while I was tempted to buy something new, I resisted and went looking in the stash. I debated between a few choices and finally decided that the Brooks Farm sock yarn I bought at Estes Park two years ago (!) was the ticket. It's a gorgeous wool, silk, viscose blend that has a fabulous sheen and I love the color - I still don't have a pair of red socks and I think that's a crime.
Then it came time to pick the needles. I'm back to knitting on dpns after a few socks using magic loop, but I've been wanting to try the Knit Picks Harmony dpns for awhile and this seemed like the perfect excuse. I mean really, why ruin a perfectly great knitting experience with needles you're not crazy about. Right? So, I ordered a 2.0 and 2.25mm set (which are 6!) and they came Monday. That meant I was ready to go. Weeee.
So, now that I had all the materials assembled and was riding high on my new project giddiness, it was time to cast on. So, I get out the pattern and read (always a good first step), and what I see is "Loosely cast on 64 stitches using the Long Tail or German Twisted method." The German Twisted method? What's that? So me being me, I have to check it out. Google is a wonderful thing, and this is what I found
And this lovely pdf: How To Do The German Twisted Cast On
So, since it's something new and it's supposed to be "a very stretchy and neat looking beginning for socks,hats, gloves and mittens" I decided to give it a try. And after a few tries, I figured it out and it works pretty great.
So far, I love the whole project - pattern, yarn, and needles are working in harmony. Will the giddiness continue? Stay tuned.
Stephanie
Comments
There are so many neat cast-ons! That one looks familiar...I may have learned it under a different name. We learned a great one in a Nancy Bush Estonian sock class last year, and there is another great one in that book on Maine mittens. Looks like YOU stole Margene's sock mojo!
Posted by: Marcia Cooke at June 11, 2008 9:57 AM
I love that your project has come together. And you know what else I'm glad for? The green grass underneath your skein! Is it possible that spring has found you? I really hope so.
Posted by: Jennifer at June 11, 2008 10:03 AM
oh, i love the twisted german cast-on! it's great!
Posted by: mai at June 11, 2008 10:11 AM
That yarn just shines! it is quite lovely :)
Posted by: lolly at June 11, 2008 11:08 AM
I love my Harmony needles! Nice yarn btw!
Posted by: Manise at June 11, 2008 1:37 PM
I have another friend who always uses that cast on. I should give it a try!
Posted by: Carole at June 11, 2008 1:50 PM
That's a great color and you photographed it so well!
Posted by: Jessica at June 11, 2008 6:45 PM
I wasn't familiar with the Francie pattern so I checked out the link, those socks are gorgeous! I also need to check out the german twisted cast on, sounds like that's the one I should be using. I'm such a tight knitter I need a good, stretchy cast on :)
Posted by: Linda at June 11, 2008 7:10 PM
Great pattern, pretty yarn, nice needles...I have project envy! The twisted cast on method I'm using I learned from a vintage book I bought at a used bookstore. It is done with the yarn in each hand, and though it is less complicated, I can't figure out how to hold the needle. I'll use that video the next time--it looks much less cumbersome. Thanks!
Posted by: Luni at June 12, 2008 8:24 AM
whoa that cast-on is crazy! totally going to have to try it! thanks for the tip :) and is that brooks farm the acero?
Posted by: gleek at June 12, 2008 10:57 AM
That is a great pattern isn't it and you have chosen lovely yarn.
Posted by: Lin at June 12, 2008 1:41 PM
I am so intimidated by socks...I even took a class with Lucy Neatby. The yarn and needles sit idle...patiently waiting for me to figure it out! Keep showing pictures, maybe I will be inspired to start!
Posted by: betsy at June 13, 2008 11:05 AM
