Do you remember these socks I cast on, back in February, my first self striping socks, I was very excited about knitting them but I kept looking at them and just wasn't happy with how they were looking. I usually used two circulars to knit socks but I decided to try Magic Loop for the first time.
As you can see with this close up, the start of each row, looks really untidy, I never had this problem using two circulars. I had a look on the web to see if there was a reason this was happening and by the looks of it a few people had the same problem. The common problem seemed to be pulling the yarn to tight and recommended holding the yarn a bit looser. I tried this but I still had the same problem.
While reading up on this problem a lot of knitters said that they preferred to knit with DPNs so I thought I'd give them a go. I had tried them before but always felt very awkward holding them. I prefer toe up socks so I used a circular needle to cast on using Judy's Magic Cast On and then changed to DPNs, once I finished the toe increases.
It took me a few rounds to get use to using DPNs but I soon got the hang of them and I'm much happier with how my self striping socks are looking. Look at the difference between the two socks side by side, once I've finished my sock on the DPNs, I will frog the other sock and knit that one on them too.
I'm knitting the collar of my Hana Hou and just have a few more rows before I can start seaming together, I absolutely love this pattern and can't wait to finish it.
I'm enjoying my stripy vanilla socks as they are easy to knit whilst out and about or watching TV but I do prefer something with more of a pattern, so this week, I cast on the Crocus Socks by Wendy D. Johnson. I'm using A Fine Fish 4ply sock yarn in Roller Disco, again I'm using Knit Pro Symfonie DPNs. I have just bought some Knit Pro Karbonz to try, I've heard quite good things about them, I'd be interested in what you think, if you've used them.
I haven't worked much on my Miss Winkle and have only knit a couple more loops, I'm over half way through the book I started last week and really enjoying it, it's a great chick lit to read before going to bed.
I've also cast on another new project, I asked Jodie to choice a few Rico Essential Cotton from The Homemakery to knit a striped garter stitch baby blanket, these are what she chose.
I couldn't decide which colour to cast on first, so I asked my Instagram friends to chose for me, the first person to comment chose the Lime Green, so that s what I went with. I'm going to go through the other comments and knitting the colours in order of what they chose, I'll show you my progress, next Wednesday. I know I'm going to enjoy knitting with these pretty Spring colours.
I'm linking to Ginny's Yarn Along and Tami's WIP Wednesday, check out what other knitters have on their needles.
Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your week.
xxxxDebxxxx
21 comments:
I like your blanket colours, it's going to look lovely.
Funny thing about the DPN's is that I'm more likely to end up with ladders in between each join than if I stuck with two circulars or magic loop. Guess we all knit slightly differently. Your socks do look good, I really like the lacy ones you've started
All these projects on the go look fab - how do you keep up?! And that baby blankie is going to be sooo gorgeous, the colours are just lovely.
xx
Your projects look so pretty, I love the different stitch patterns and the lime green is top!
I am loving all of these!! Glad you solved the problem for the socks!!!!
Wonderful colors for a baby blanket.
I share your opinion on the magic loop - I have the same problem at the beginning of each round. I find using this method is much quicker than dpn's (and you don't risk loosing a needle) but dpn's, for me, give a much neater finish.
you are b-u-s-y!!! what a great way to stripe a blanket!!! I hate making those kind of decisions…. and that sweater. it's now on my love-list!
Those blanket colours are to die for, beautiful!
Love the crocus socks, you chose a beautiful wool for them
I'm a magic looper for socks, but I can see the allure of dpns. Good luck frogging those back, the self stripping wool is gorgeous!
I'm glad you worked out the issue with the striped socks. The colors are so pretty. The blanket is going to look great. I think lime green was a good choice to start with.
I am on my second pair of Socks.. I use the DPN. I was told by a store owner that they worked better than the circular needles. It takes me for ever to finish a pair. But I do love knitting them. Lots of wonderful projects my friend. You are always an inspiration for me.
Hugs~
Ah the age old dilemma of sock knitting. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of magic loop for sock knitting. I find you get a better result from 2 circs or using DPNS. We all knit differently though but I'm glad you've found a method to best suit your style knitting.
Your Hana Hou is looking fab. Can't wait to see the finished garment :)
Loving the colour choices for the baby blanket. Gorgeous pops of happy colours.
I love looking at your projects as your yarn choices never fail to make me want to cast on everything you are making, in exactly the same yarns!!!!! Everything is gorgeous!
It's interesting... the socks - I always knit toe up using magic loop but I just wrote about trying out the Moccasin toe and I'm going to have to use DPNs for that, but will probably change to one circ after that - funny how we are all so different with our preferences and what works for us.
Wow, so many great projects! The yarns you are using are so pretty. My hands are itching to touch and feel those yarns.
Oh your projects ALWAYS inspire!! So so beautiful.
I am glad that you worked out the stripy socks issue as I really like them! I like the new ones as well - very pretty and so intricate1 Hope that you have a great Easter. xx
I'm fascinated by everyone's different sock knitting methods and techniques. I learned on DPNS and will give both magic loop and 2 on circulars a try eventually. I am using a set of Knitter's Pride Karbonz for the first time on a spiraling sock pattern. I like them, and they keep me confident while I learn to CB2 w/o a needle. They are 6 inchers though and I wish they were 5. Happy Knitting. Beautiful yarn, always.
Yay! Another DPN lover. I learned on these the fourth week of my beginning class. I am so comfortable on them. Magic Loop makes my hands cramp.You have other lovely projects going on as well. Sorry. I thought it was your friend you were polling for not yourself. That lime green is awesome.
Goodness me, how many metres a day do you knit Deb, lol! You have such lovely projects going on, looking great! Ira x
Ira’s Crea Corner
I love your self stripping yarn. Is it from Stray Cats?
Deb your knitting is just divine and I always learn something new from your blog. You are such a talented knitter Deb and make everything look so easy - the mark of a talented professional. I love visiting your blot Debs as you always have a wealth of knowledge to share. Thank you for this and have a wonderful Easter. Sending you lots of loves and hugs
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
You are busy! I have the Roller Disco yarn. Undecided between a shawl or socks for it. What yarn are you using for the Miss Winkle. Really like that.
I just joined wip Wednesday, so excited to keep up with everyone. Your projects are beautiful. I too prefer dpn's for socks. I love the spring colors for the blanket, that will be a lucky baby to receive it.
Post a Comment