In addition to trying to get me to try Options Needles, Jackie has also been trying to get me to try knitting Continental and knitting with the Magic Loop method.

I just can't do it. With Magic Loop, my hands kept getting tangled in the loops and moving the project "forward" on the needles in order to work it, is just awkward.

And, as for knitting Continental, my left hand isn't coordinated enough. And, I didn't just try it for a few sts and give up. I did two rounds on a project with 44sts. It was like trying to knit with my right hand and someone else's left hand. But, I am going to try again, because everyone keeps telling me it's much faster than knitting English.

I just found this on Dark Roasted Blend.

I have a really bad habit of not testing/checking gauge before starting a project. I usually just grab some needles and yarn and start knitting. What can I say...? I'm a guy.

Wow, I never thought I would make that statement about knitting. "Sure, I leave the toilet seat up - I'm a guy." "Yes, I'm a pervert - I'm a guy." But, I just never thought I would make that comment about my knitting.

Swatches? We don't need no stinking swatches.

Edited to add: Oh, and another thing I'm bad about not doing is blocking. I usually just wash the FO and let it air-dry. And, that's only for clothing items. Stuff like cozies and such, I don't even wash them.

My friend Jackie has been trying to get me to try Options Needles. So, she gave me one of her US 1 needles, and I tried using it on my Hot & Cold Socks. The plan was to knit from one of the Addi US 1 needles to the Options US 1 needle that Jackie gave me. But, as it turns out, the Addi needles I've been using are actually US 2's and not as the package had me believe. Crap for crap.

I finished the Ruffled Scarf for Frances. For the last 2 rows, the pattern called for *K1, increase, repeat; (last row) *P1, increase, repeat. However, after doubling the stitches on the next to the last row, made it really difficult to do purl increases, so I settled for knit increases instead.




Pattern: Ruffled Scarf (A115) Using Cascade Venezia Pattern
Yarn: Cascade Venezia, color 107
Amount: 203 yards (just a little less than 2 skeins)
Needles: US 10 / 6.0 mm circular needles (Denise needles, to be exact)
Started: March 30 2008
Completed: April 6 2008

Here are some really cool stitch markers I picked up today at the DFW Fiber Fest. They're from Lone Star Arts (LoneStarArts.etsy.com).

Coffee Bean Stitch Markers


Little Tikis(ish) Stitch Markers