Monday, April 24, 2006

Am I crazy?

Wait, don't answer yet! You don't even know what this is in reference to yet! Let me start off by saying that I started knitting my first sock on two circulars. I decided to start off slow (because I am hyper cautious), by using Cat Bordhi's book, you know the one. In order to make sure I could get the general practice down, I thought I would make her Basic Sock Pattern. She gives you the instructions for 3 medium sizes- for a child, a woman, and a man. Well, I have small feet, so I run somewhere between the child and women's medium size. So I decided to cast on the same amount of stitches as I did for my last sock, since that pattern worked out perfectly and everything else seemed to match up for working on this new sock. Here's what the sock looked like on Friday:

And here's what it looked like on Sunday evening. I'm sorry to say that I don't think these photos do this gorgeous yarn any justice. It's the most beautiful Cherry Tree Hill Supersock yarn. IloveitIloveitIloveit!

Knitting a sock on the circulars is a process all its own. (You should have seen me trying to figure out what I was doing with the gusset.) Here's the thing: I'm finding that I miss the DPNs. Call me crazy (here's your chance. It's okay. I'm almost positive Shelley thinks I am), but here's just something, still, about knitting a sock on DPNs that I really enjoy. I wanted to give this method a try because knitters seem to l-o-v-e it, but I'm not quite sure if it's right for me. Or maybe I haven't given this way enough of a chance yet. I guess I'll know by the time I finish the second one. I am liking how quick it's knitting up, but some of that probably also has to do with the fact that it is my second pair of socks, and not my first (I was very slow on those, as we may recall). I knitted away this weekend! My fingers are getting "chapped" again. Thank goodness I have the special tube o' hand cream that Dis recommended by my side, as well as a most wonderful gift from Margene, which included another hand cream I'm eager to try and tea tree cuticle balm, which I'm all over. Thanks so much, Margene! So anyway, I don't know, the jury's still out on the circs vs. DPNs thing. I wonder how wonky it would be if I knit the second sock on DPNs? (Oh, the picture in my head!) It might be an interesting study though, what do you think?

In other news, this book is finally available, and I'm so excited!

I'm excited for Suzan, the owner of my favorite LYS. Knit Cafe is such a wonderful, warm, and friendly place. If the book captures even a part of the shop's spirit, which I'm sure it has, I have no doubt this will be a lovely book. Those of you who have been there know what I'm talking about. I'm even more excited, because I know there to be great knitting content inside, since many of the shop's regulars were contributors. I'm ordering this book to-day! After hearing about the patterns my friend contributed to the book, I've been looking forward to seeing them in print! Hooray for the Knit Cafe!

PS: I still can't get over the fact that our humble little blog is a year old! :)

9 comments:

Theresa said...

I don't think you're crazy (about dpns. you might be about other things, but I'm withholding judgement). I've tried 2 circs, I've tried magic loop, and they have their uses (the tops of hats come to mind). But for socks? DPNS all the time. I like the rhythm. And the lack of clanging and clanking.

Anonymous said...

You are definitely not crazy -- because I refuse to believe I am crazy, and I much prefer knitting with dpns than two circs. And I don't think we're alone. I picked up my very first hank of Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn this weekend and also lovelovelove it -- it's got a gorgeous sheen and such rich colors.

Happy blogiversary. I've only been tuned into you guys for a couple months, but I'm enjoying having another SoCal blog to keep up with.

Jennifer said...

When it comes to knitting socks, I've decided that DPNs do feel most comfortable. You just do what feels most comfortable.

Chris said...

I feel the need to weigh in on the side of two circs here. :) But... I don't like the way Cat Bordhi has you do it in the book. It makes MUCH more sense to me to have the instep on one needle and the sole on the other and it seems to work better for me.

For your second sock, I would just take your regular sock pattern and pretend that one circuar = two dpns and go from there.

That's a gorgeous shade of CTH!

AmyArtisan said...

I'll be interested to hear what your verdict is on knitting the socks on circulars - just yesterday I signed up for a "Sock on 2 Circulars" class that starts in 10 days. I did 1 sock on DPN in class 3 years ago & never went any farther - I definitely want to get the sock bug back. :)

Anonymous said...

So excited about the book- I got my copy today! I'm so pleased for Suzan- she rocks (we all knew this, of course, well before the whole gigantor book project)! Thrilling!

Congratulations on your blogiversary!

Nasus said...

The sock is coming out so well! Someday, oh someday, I will make more progress on my socks...

Shelley said...

That sock yarn is gorgeous!! If I hadn't just purchased (and received) my first Lorna's Laces I would get some of that Cherry Hill. But I must us the Koigu and the LL first. I think what I like most about the 2 circs is that if you're doing plain knitting, it just zips along and you only have to worry about two joins. But I can actually appreciate your love of the clacking of the DPNs and when you have a rhythm it makes you feel like SuperKnitter!!

Peevish said...

Oooh..... pretty!