Persistent Knitter

Lest you think all I do is complain about gauge problems and needle problems on my blog, I must share some progress with you.

First, Hardangervidda!

The bottom edge looks so much neater now that the provisional cast on is attached back in. I ended up first trying to attach it during a two-color row. This was a bit too fussy for me to handle - so no problem, I just added one more row on the cast on side (after transferring all 310 stitches to a needle) and then I could attach it on a solid colored row. While having two 40" needles in it was a bit awkward, it was made worse by the fact that everytime I moved or breathed or even looked at it, stitches would start falling off one of the needles. All my point protectors were doing nothing to keep the stitches on, until someone at my knitting group mentioned using hair ties! Given that I have a daughter under the age of 3, I have a billion of these in my purse of varying sizes. I pulled two of the smaller ones out, wrapped ‘em around the needle ends, and VOILA! The best stitch-keeper-on device ever. You can see these in the picture as well, one pink, one blue.

I haven’t measured the size since the first inch or so, but I think it’s coming out ok. I really need to get it onto two needles and make sure it’s big enough :)

Purple Socks:

I’ve made pretty good progress on these socks. I’m almost ready to start the heel(s). These are actually great to work on - simple pattern, no worries about gauge at this point.

Ingeborg
I’ve done the next color test on the Borg, and I can’t say as I like it either. It’s snow-white with the Cinnabar color (that’s the brighter red). It’s a bit too much contrast for me, and makes me think of a Christmas sweater. Next color combo I’m trying is Cinnabar with Natural. I think this might be a happier light color as it’s toned down just enough to not be all brown-looking; but light enough to have good contrast (better than the greyish Arrowhead color). I’ll take more pics of that when I get a bit more done.

Mandela asked in the comments:
Hmmm. I think the tone-on-tone claret/cinnabar combo is my favourite so far. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the swatch. How’s the gauge?
I have refused to even check my gauge on this swatch yet!!! How’s that for daring? I’m really focusing more on the color combos. The swatch is giving me excellent practice with the 12" length circular needle. I feel a bit like a lady drinking tea while knitting with them - since the needles are so short I can only hold them with my thumbs and first two fingers - much like a lady holding a fancy teacup holding her pinky out. The tone on tone colors are growing on me too. At first I didn’t like them, but they do look nice now.