Hello,
I do have a "bit of a thing" about sock knitting - I think it is because much of it involves
mindless knitting in rounds, and so even when I don't feel like tackling anything complicated
that requires brain power and yet I still have an urge to have busy hands, I can knit socks.
And the bonus is you get a very wearable and useful product at the end!
And, there are some fantastic sock yarns to buy.
The other great thing about socks is that they are a very portable project, fitting into
a small make-up bag size container.
So last Tuesday found me on a 2-hour train journey north to Leeds for a meeting, and my current sock project came with me.
I did a bit of work ((honestly!)) on the train, then decided to get my knitting out -
and here it is on my lap.
I was merrily knitting in rounds of 4 needles as usual when I met one problem - the
wool was almost broken in a couple of places, but I couldn't figure out why.
wool was almost broken in a couple of places, but I couldn't figure out why.
I persevered, just rejoining a new end of yarn as required when suddenly
................ disaster struck!
................ disaster struck!
I dropped my fifth needle down the side of my chair and couldn't see it, yet alone
retrieve it. "Oh no" I very politely thought!
retrieve it. "Oh no" I very politely thought!
So there was no more knitting for me on either my outbound or return journey.
So, of course, a new set of 5 x double point needles was required as I knit socks on 4 needles
using a 5th needle to knit with.
I ordered a new set on the Tuesday evening and of course was full
of excitement when on Friday a package arrived for me. Here is a sneaky preview!
A strong smell of peppermint emanated from the packet and when I opened it I realised
why.... stuck to the order confirmation was a peppermint teabag along with my
new 5 x dpn needles, my new 20cm circular needle... and yes, some gorgeous sock
wool that I was unable to resist buying!
The sock yarn is gorgeous, such a deep red, this photo does not do the colour justice.
Now I have been knitting with circular needles much more frequently over the last few months,
in fact I use circular needles more often than straight ones now as they are so much easier
to transport, and I decided that I would give sock knitting on a circular needle a try -
the needle I ordered is only 20cm long!! That's pretty tiny!
And here it is!
But, alas, I think a moth may have been at my wool .... I found many places where the
wool was almost broken through.
In the end I unravelled a long length of wool until I could no longer see any thin
strands, and started knitting anew.
And as for my tiny needle - I love it - it makes so much sense to knit socks,
comprising a circular tube, on a circular needle, and given that the needle is so small it
makes the project even more portable and most importantly.... I can't lose that elusive
5th needle!
So, alls well that ends well... and, losing that 5th needle turned out to be a blessing in
disguise etc. etc., without the loss of that needle on the train I would not now be
knitting socks on a circular needle.
And the knitting is so much neater with no joins between the 4 needles.
So "Yay!" and "Hurrah!"to solutions that come in small sizes,
a tiny 20cm circular needle!
Do you knit on circular needles or do you prefer straight ones?
Have a good week!
xXx
