First off, I want to brag about the time I spent yesterday with one Baby Xavier and his family. I’ll tell you, what that kid lacks in size (he’s a teeny one!) he sure makes up with cuteness! And oh my god he is to die for in his Koigu hat. Makes Aunt Cara’s heart go pitter pat. Thanks Jen for letting me hang yesterday. It was so good to see all of you home and so, so happy!
Secondly, I’m anxious and pmsy today. I didn’t sleep well last night – my imagination often gets the better of me. I’m feeling overwhelmed about the amount of work I have to do – I was feeling positive on Monday and didn’t get enough done yesterday and now I have to prepare for class all day today – so I’m behind again.
And I seem to have hit an impasse on Nona’s Superfabulous Serial Gloves. I tried putting the fingers all together last night in anticipation of the thumb gusset entry to come soon, and well, I was decidedly underwhelmed. The first couple times I worked it I got some nice big holes. I kept trying to KTBL to tighten things up but that seemed to have the opposite effect. After two tries, I decided that maybe I needed to go down a needle size and knit reallyreallyreally tight to eliminate the holes. (I mean, what’s the sense of having gloves with holes between the fingers right – kind of built in air conditioning for the winter – not so nice.)
So I tried it on size #2s. And things went pretty well – I even got so far as to add the pinky and do a few rows. Then I stopped to inspect my work – I still had what appeared to be holes between the fingers. I’m not so sure now. I think underneath what looked like a hole were the stitches that come across the two circs to make the barrier if you will between the finger holes. It’s what covers the webbing between your fingers (do you have webbing? I do. It’s a hereditary thing I think. My sister barely has any.) I was all ready to accept this as the way it’s SUPPOSED to be when I discovered some disturbingly loose stitches on the index finger at the join. After playing with it for a bit, trying to tighten things up, I decided it wasn’t good enough and ripped. That’s when I went to bed last night fondling the super easy Sunshine Sock I had stolen the size two needles from – ah stockinette. You call to me. My plan in the near future (I MUST WORK!) is to try again with the size #3s and knit reallyreallyreally tight. I’ll let you know how it goes – in the meantime, any tips or tricks or reassurance I was doing it right would be greatly appreciated.
I got mail yesterday. Help, please.
Cotton Candy and Pebbles. Lots of it. Mmmmm. Socks That Rock. Thanks Toni!
ETA: The reason I bought two skeins of each is because this is Soft Rock and comes in skanks of 200yds. You need two. The Fire on the Mountain and Rock Star came in skeins of 325yds – you only need one. I specifically asked for two of the smaller skeins because I want to make nice long stockinette PINK cotton candy socks!
ETA2: All my STR yarn comes from Toni at The Fold. Tell her I sent you. (Sorry Toni! 😉 )
Ohhhhh, more Socks That Rock. I’m so jealous. 🙂
I guess I have a little webbing — enough that I’ve snipped that tender little spot with scissors a few times too often. Hm, maybe I’m a slow learner.
Breathe deep, go for a run, and perhaps the tasks will all line up like good little ducks.
Oh, I’m SO jealous that you got smell and feel and hold little Xavier.
do you see how subtle Vicki is?? how she managed to insert the word ‘duck’ right after you confess to extra webbing? and she made it seem perfectly innocent?
quack.
Now I’m very excited to go to the STR booth! It is rather difficult to make gloves without a little hole here and there. I use the dangley ends of yarn left around the finger base to darn up the holes after I’ve finished knitting. No knitting can be perfect, especially the very first time to try it. We learn as we go sometimes.
Hey – the hole thing…are you sure you aren’t already twisting the stitch when you put it on the needle? so when you KTBL then you are effectively UNtwisting it? That is what I notice when I pick up the bar between the two stitches. I have never liked that method of increase so perhaps knitting in the F&B? what do I know, I have never made a pr of gloves. might though with the excellent tutorial from Nona
oooo I wonder if that means I will get my STR today!!!! I ordered when she was out….
DO you use two sekins to make a pair? I wasn’t sure if I needed two or one. I know it says one will do it….I just have a fear of running out.
Oooooh, more Socks that Rock? Where did buy it?
That Margene, she’s so zen. But I’d have given up on the gloves by now. I’ll stick with mittens – they keep your hands warmer anyhow.
Do you know the best washable sock yarn? Is it just me or is most sock yarn ROUGH? I got some zimbo top and I hate it, the knitpicks essentials doesn’t feel any softer, but I am praying it knits up softer then the zimbo. I don’t understand why sock yarn is so rough!! but I don’t want to spend $16 for a pair of socks on trekking every time lol
Ooooooooh. I’m going to second Angela’s inquiry and ask where you got more STR.
ooh i hope you get past your impasse (?) on the gloves – i’m longing to try these and avidly watching yours and purly’s progress.
You have skanky yarn?
The pebble beach colorway is awesome! Hmm. Thanks for the link.