Impulse Buys, New Projects and More
I went into Purlsoho the other day to buy a pair of size 5 bamboo
circs, because I have to start work on a cashmere cabled vest for my
husband. They only carry the metal Addi turbos for $15 a pair, not
worth it at all. So I virtuously turned down that suggestion, only to
go completely crazy and buy some Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock yarn in a
lovely colourway called "Brick Stripes":
All the colours are lovely and I am wondering why I need a pair of socks for $20, but what the heck, it was an impulse buy and the yarn is wonderful. So I started a pair of socks on size 1s, mainly to knit on the Path and subway commute. 
What I cannot figure out is how to make the stripes look even, as they
did in the sock on display in the store. Mine looks a little weird, but
at least it’s sort of in a regular pattern, which I like. I haven’t
made too many socks before, but this self-striping is interesting.
Anyway, this should be a nice break of stockinette, mindless knitting between the Russian Stole and my cabled vest.
Speaking of Russian Stole, I finished one vertical pattern repeat. At
45 rows per repeat and five such squares of 24 stitches each per
vertical repeat, I will be doing over 800 rows total for the size I
want the stole to be. I cannot imagine I’m actually looking forward to
a long winter, so I can actually wear this thing this season. Here’s
what it looks like, and I really recommend this pattern: it’s so
rhythmic, almost, and easy to memorise.
What else? I have some Indian rangoli patterns that my mother drew for me when she was visiting, and it’s long been my ambition to convert some of these to cabled designs. These are cursive lines drawn with rice flour on floors and courtyards of homes and temples, mostly in South India, and many of them are beautiful and intricate. So I have some with me, and my husband has manfully agreed to wear a cabled vest with some of these. In another impulse buy, I placed an order for the Stitch and Motif Maker Software. And also bought a ton of various Knitpicks yarns just to swatch. Two each of Andean Silk, Elegance, Merino Style and Wool of the Andes. So many people have said so many nice things about this company’s yarns, but I need to check for myself. So more on those next week, and more about my swatching for the rangoli cables as well.
Have you tried the one long circular needle option for socks? It avoids the possible problem of random dp needles falling on the subway floor.
The rangoli patterns are lovely, and I can totally see using them in assorted ways. Even, actually lace, for a few of them.
That link makes me think of this Diwali picture from the BBC, which for some reason totally captivated me: http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40921000/jpg/_40921986_dayindia_ap300.jpg
I did try it, but my fingers are too fat and short for it and my hands hurt after a while trying to hold the single needle. I actually don’t mind DPNs so much. Haven’t tried the two circs or magic loop method or whatever else there is, though.
The diwali pic is lovely! thanks for sending it to me. Actually, I’ve been thinking lace for some of the rangoli designs too, but want to tackle celtic-style cables first with this vest. should be fun.
Dear Desiknitter,
I am an amateur knitter and was randomly searching the web and found this blog – really interesting, informative and humourous as well! Of course Im nowhere as advanced as you but Id like to try some of the patterns youve knitted…..
By the way, Im desi and an academic as well. Coincidence, but the world is so small, we’ll probably find we went to the same university or something!
A
Hello A,
Wonderful! I do remember someone back in grad school, now that you mention it… you’re much too kind, of course. Good luck branching out into more advanced patterns, and hope to chat more with you here!