Road Testing

  New tools have given me the perfect excuse to start new projects, and the ability to finish some others.  I'd been eager to try the new Knit Picks needles, so I ordered some 32" size 1s.  I recently finished a sample sock for a pattern I'm been working on, so felt perfectly justified casting on for another sock.  This is my new Pomatomus, using Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn and the Magic Loop method. 

[Incidentally, most of the sock as pictured was written on the road to Long Island and back.  Hence the post title "road testing."  I'm very clever.]

I give the new needles two thumbs up.  I purposely chose a pattern that requires sharp points, and I haven't been disappointed at all.  (Last time I knit these socks I used Addis, and certain maneuvers, such as knitting into the back of a yarn over, were slightly annoying with blunter tips.)  And the Magic Loop method requires a smooth cable join, which these also possess.  I will definitely be ordering more sizes of these needles.

The sock I finished was my Horseshoe Lace design for J. Knits.  Pattern will be available soon... it's mostly written. Have I mentioned how much I loath pattern writing?  It is undoubtedly my least favorite part of the design process.  It just feels like a chore.  But unavoidable if I want to see my work in print.  Sigh.

I also bought some blocking wires from Knit Picks, which I inaugurated with this shawl I knit while working at Three Bags Full as a shop sample.  The yarn is Skacel Merino Lace (a favorite of mine), and the pattern is a Skacel pattern by Evelyn Clark.  The shawl enjoys being draped on flowers in my garden, but is now back at home in the store. 

I've been very busy blocking things... I finished my Icarus as well.  Alas, it has been overcast since I blocked it, so I haven't been able to get a photo yet.  And then I blocked a lacy square for the Aran afghan that's been lying around for a few weeks.   (No more progress on any other squares.  I can't knit everything, you know.)

In spite of the fact that I'm still on shawl #4 (of 5) for my sister's wedding, I was inspired by some lovely teal-colored Skacel Merino Lace to work on a shawl design of my own.  I got a bunch of work done on that today, swatching the main pattern, the edging, and charting the whole design.   But I guess now I'd better put my nose to the grindstone and finish that deadline knitting... and the pattern writing...

I'm depressingly aware that summer is nearly over.  I start a new job in September (my third, if you're counting) and my schedule may make life not worth living.

Better live it up while I can!

Comments

[FemiKnit Mafia]

Good lord, you're prolific. I can't wait to see your shawl design; that swatch is beee-you-tiful.

[Sheri]

I love the horseshoe lace pattern on that sock! And your shawl looks beautiful. Five in the same yarn/pattern for the wedding? I'll go back and read more of your blog...