This will be a long one
I casted on for Aberlady last week while sitting at KH. There were quite a few F words thrown out as I casted on 384 STITCHES. Before the cast on, I did a swatch and got about 8.5 stitches per inch, which is not what it should be, but I will live (cover your ears Elspeth). I figured knitting in the round will generate tighter stitches than knitting flat, and there’s always blocking to fix issues. I will also check my gauge after the band and see if I need to drop a needle size.
Which brings me to my next gripe. WTF is wrong with needlemakers? Why do they all have to create their own version of US 2s? For example, here’s what the major needlemakers consider a US 2 in mm:
- Crystal Palace - US 2, no mm stamp or specification ANYWHERE. I measured mine and it’s 2.75mm.
- Skacel Addis (site is not working) - US 2=3.00 mm, sigh.
- KnitPicks, fixed circulars - US 2=2.75mm AND 3.00mm. Yup. You get to pick your version of US 2s.
- Inox circulars - US 2=2.75mm. Inox make this clear and obvious on their package.
** Of course, this is not a complete list of makers. But, this does show the most common needles one can find at your LYS. So, what is the correct answer? What is a US 2 needle? Well, according to Wikipedia, a US2 is 2.75 mm NOT 3mm. I know there are differences between US and Britain, and other countries but please people just pick one system and stick to it. I vote for metric only.
Happy Times
Moving on to happier times. Here’s the beginning of Aberlady:
I’m using a thrifted sweater’s yarn. I picked up a charcoal merino sweater from Goodwill for $5, and got loads of yarn! The photo doesn’t really pick up the color accurately but believe me when I say it’s a pretty heathery black.
The fun continued this weekend as I tinkered with my new old sewing machine! I got a Kenmore 1030 off Freecycle and it’s a beauty! I just need to pick up bobbins and a bobbin case, and hopefully I’ll be set. I can’t wait to start sewing up some projects. Oh and for you sewing mavens, this is a 1976 model, made in Japan! SWEET.
Now for some laughs. I’m spinning up some roving that I’ve had in my stash for the last year or so. Before I started spinning, I predrafted my roving and put it in a plastic bag by the spinning wheel. What follows is evidence of my cats’ crazy condition. I call it fiber love. My cats have a thing for roving, they love all of it. They will lie on top of it, knead on it, jump into the bag with it, eat it, and attack it. All of it in the name of fun and love.
Lobo sniffing the roving
Lobo licking her paw after touching the roving
The bag can surely fit the two of them
Pikachu loves just sitting on top of it
