Sleevage
Having finished Grace's right front Friday I started on the sleeves. I'm knitting them together; as you can see, 2 sleeves take up a lot of room on a 14" straight needle! A couple more increase rows and I'll have to put them on separate (straight) needles. I'll be knitting about 19" worth of sleeves. Yup, you got it: I have looong arms!
The reason I haven't been using circulars or double-pointed/endeds is my knitting style. With my first project, a cable scarf (scroll to the bottom), I would prop my right needle on my thigh as I used the cable needle to do the c4bs and c4fs, then pick it up again to do the next set of stitches. Then I went on to do 2 moss stitch baby jackets. Switching from knit stitch to purl stitch and back was just easier with the right needle on my thigh. Does anyone else knit like this?
I did try to knit with circulars once: encouraged by Anita, I borrowed a friend's set/pair and tried to knit but I ended up having to brace the right needle against my body. I confess I wasn't very patient and gave up after a few tries. I've concluded that you use the style and needles that fit you best. Still, it wouldn't hurt to learn or master something new. I would love to knit something seamless in the future!
I just started using circulars on straight knitting. I find that it distributes weight better especially with larger needles and bulkier yarn. I do cables on circs and use my thigh for support too. I don't find it any harder :o)
great job working two sleeves at once. and o agree with lyn on the circs. but its all about what you feel most comfortable with. you concluded right.
I haven't used straight needles in years. I use circs even for socks. So I'm interested in your straight technique. Maybe we could get a picture of a demonstration?:)
I had a little problem with circs at first, because I learned to knit with the straight needle propped under my left arm. Since there is no where to hold the circ, it took some practice. I go back and forth, straight , circ, and back again... There is nothing wrong with having your own method--do what works for you! Your stuff turns out beautiful no matter what! :)
I prefer circular because whenever I use straights, I would always drop the right needle when it came time to wrap the yarn. The needle would hit my thigh, and I just found it annoying. Circulars just makes the knitting feel lighter and less straining on the wrist.
a little something is headed your way....:)
I am making my Klaralund with Silk Garden 84- an assortment of reds with a bit of green that somehow does not look too Christmassy.
It would be nice if you were able to answer the list of questions just so that I can see if I am on target with the other gifts that I have planned for you. I put a gift in the mail today..which I hope you will like but if not feel free to pass it on to a friend :)
Hmm...my previous comment did not come out properly...I did not mean to sound grumpy....I just meant to respond affirmatively to your offer to answer the "secret pal quuestions." Sigh, the one difficulty with email is that you lose all of the voice modulations which help you understand the speakers intent...
Hey MJ, I think it's time for another meet-up, what do you say?