theraineysisters knitting and so much more

Man, I’ve been toughin’ it out with my Oregon sleeve lately and have had some “issues” — today, issues resolved! 

I described the way I do my fair isle sleeves using the “magic loop” method.  My method has been less than magical.  You need a very soft, pliable cable to do the magic loop method.  Addis have changed their cable over the years (their timing sucks, btw) and it is now very stiff and unbendable.  For most of my fair isle knitting, I use US 3’s and have them coming out of my whazzoo (sp?).  However, A*St*rm*re yarn is heavier and so I am using a US 4.  All my US 4 needles have the stiff cable except my 47″.  That is just WAY too much cable to deal with!  I have been on a quest at my LYS’s to find a better needle and finally found an older Turbo with the old, softer/thinner cable.  I could probably have ordered needles from KnitPicks, but thought I would shop around first.  I know that Inox has some (out of production) and Susan Bates (not in the size or type I needed), so I hunted.  The difference with the new needle is truly amazing and is making my knitting SO much easier!!

MAGIC LOOP
I know many of you know this technique, but a couple of readers asked for details.  Here is the single loop method:

I simply pull the excess cable length between two sts about halfway around from where I am.  I knit to the loop and then pull the excess out half way around again, etc.  When the sleeve gets too small for the needle tips to feel comfortable, I switch to a modified double loop.  In standard magic loop, you pull out the RH needle, form a loop, and then knit across the cable:

I don’t care to strand (or plain knit for that matter) across the cable.  It is difficult to maintain stitch size and just feels WRONG.  My modification is to pull the second loop out a few sts back on the RH needle.  Therefore you are always knitting and stranding across the regular needle tip:

This picture shows how it looks when the sleeve gets very small, toward the cuff (I’m not there yet!).  You continue to knit on a long-tipped needle (unlike a 12″ circular with itty-bitty, short tips), you get the benefit of the magic loop AND you strand across a regular needle (not a dpn).  When I get to the first loop, the other loop is already positioned about halfway around, so I pull the second one a few sts back from the RH tip.  I keep going in this way for the whole sleeve.  I hope this makes sense and is not too technical and boring ;). 

I will use the 32″ ‘ for the entire sleeve since they did not have a 24″ with the thinner cable.  I am on a roll, my knitting peeps!

I discovered that I had made a bit of a tactical error with Oregon and therefore had to rip back a few rounds.  It’s not a big deal if you know the “secret.”

I was teaching a class on fair isle and one of the students made a mistake several inches back.  She un-knit every stitch — several hundred per round — round after round!!!!  It took her hours and hours.  When I told her the secret to ripping out fair isle, I don’t know if she wanted to slug me or hug me!  I’m sure many of you have used this technique before, but if not, you may find it useful.

Take a circular needle ~2 sizes smaller than the one you are using and pick up the sts through a row/round that is easy to follow.  I am showing it on Rona because it is so darned easy to see.  On Oregon, I chose the last round before a color change.  Starting at the center steek (or beg of rnd), pick up all the sts* in that round.  Then pull out the needle (Note: here I mean the needle you are actually knitting with, not the one you used to pick up the sts) and unzip the sts.  Be careful to untangle the yarn as you go if you want to reuse it.  Sometimes it is worth going back a couple of extra rounds if it makes following a stitch line easier.

I use this technique on regular knitting as well.  You just need to make sure you are following the stitch line carefully.  It is the technique I use for shortening sweaters.

So now I’m back a few rounds but happier!

Looking at Rona so close up leads to comparisons with Oregon.  The new A*ice S*ar*more yarns are much nubbier and therefore do not yield as smooth and even a fabric.  The gauge is bigger, too (28 sts/inch vs 30).  Overall, it has a coarser, thicker appearance.  I hope it improves with blocking!

PS (to Marina) — I do not transfer the sts to the “real” needle — I just start knitting with the larger sized needle on the next round.

* Also, I should add some detail about “picking up” the sts: working from right to left, insert the tip of the needle into the right half of the st as if to purl.

Thank you for your comments and questions!

I took the finished Lace Tam to Amazing Threads in Maple Grove to drop it off and pick up Sally’s Moebius Lace Scarf.  It looked so pretty up on the wall, I took a picture.  I felt so bad for poor dejected little moebius that I wanted to take it out to dinner — fatten it up a bit. 

My moebius may still get done, but for now I have moved on.  Maybe this spring when the pretty color of the KSH and the warming temps re-ignite my moebial inspiration.

RE: the Lace Moebius (Fibertrends pattern AC39).  Since I did not get a chance to share this tip with the class, I will share it with others who may be thinking of making this scarf.  It involves the cast on.  I know many of you use the Cat Bordhi cast on method for doing moebius projects of all sorts, and it would probably work here as well.  However, the pattern comes with its own instructions and the buyer of the pattern may not have the Cat B. book OR the desire to use her cast on method.  Click this link to read about my tip under Knitting Tips. 

I worked on Oregon quite a bit and am now at the NECK SHAPING.  Progress – slow, but sure.  The original Oregon is a v-neck cardi, but I am doing something a bit different with standard neck shaping. 

I really have a hankerin’ for something new.  I have a couple of ideas in mind.  I am torn because on the one hand, you can only make progress when you stick to one thing, but on the other hand, you get bored and enjoy your knitting less.  It is a dilemma.  Knitting is a hobby and my passion and is supposed to be done for enjoyment.  When it becomes boring and drudgery — that does NOT sound enjoyable to moi!  However, I also REALLY enjoy the feeling of accomplishment when I finish something.  Therein lies the dilemma. 

Note to self: don’t think about it too much or your head will implode.