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2nd yr
Notorious Sock Knitters | January 17, 2008
This is my 2nd yr in the club, but my first post. I love the yarn but was a little intimidated by the patterns and didn’t finish many socks last year. I even took a sock class before the first shipment. I am determined to keep up this year. Have been reading about doing the socks on 2 circular needles, I’m not fond of dp. Has anyone done this? I was told that it is easy and the socks work up faster. Thanks, I enjoy reading everyone’s coments. Nice to be part of a group that is obsessed with fiber! Patty in Denver
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14 Responses to “2nd yr”
My advice is to try the circulars and then decide which method you prefer. There are choices with circulars, if 2 which length, if one doing magic loop, do you go for two at a time? Try a new technique and then make a choice. Have fun!
I second Marcy’s advice, you figure out what you like by trying them all. I myself prefer magic loop for most and then dpns. There are some things in life I can do two at once. Not socks way too much going on there for this attention span.
Love doing socks on 2 circs! I’ve tried all 3 methods and found I get better,consistant stitches with the 2 circulars. I don’t know if it’s really faster,but it feels like it because I’m not fiddling with shifting the needles around all the time. I use 16 inch Crystal Place bamboos and do one at a time. And I don’t have to worry about losing stitches when I stick them in a bag.
Socks on 2 circs is a great method as is magic loop. I was actually having some pain when I used dpns. Give it a shot - there are great tutorials on the web. ;-R
PS - don’t switch techniques (dpn to 2 circs or magic loop) mid-sock as your gauge will change. ;-R
I just started doing 2 socks on one 47″ circ. I will never go back to 2 circs again. I still use the dp’s for the short row garter heel, it is easier to keep track of the wraps both on the decrease and increase sections. I do the heels in each sock separately, and join them up again when I am back on the foot.
After looking at MANY comments on needles, I have come to the conclusion that this is a very personal thing. I get ladders on dpns unless I use all 5 needles, but that doesn’t work nicely with some patterns. I’m doing Cookie A’s Hedera socks right not and I have a huge ladder on the bottom of the foot, and I’ve pulled the yarn so tight to avoid it that it actually broke once. 2 circulars are fastest for me, and I do one at a time. Again, it depends on the pattern as to whether it works well. For toe up, I think circulars work well because of the flexibility of the cable when you start.
If you are someone who learns well from books-try Kat Bordi’s ‘Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles’. Her directions and recommendations are great.
I think that 2 circs travel well. I find that they poke through fabric less and tend not to bend as often. Doesn’t that say something about how I commute….
Someday, I’ll be able to make the time to come to Camp. Beware, Tina, I’ll try to corner you and find out how you Magic Loop. I don’t love it yet.
Every technique is worth trying. Enjoy this one. Please keep us posted on what you think.
At first, I HATED using 2 circs, but now I kind of prefer it with some patterns. DPNs make me go nuts for the cast on and first few rows, but all in all I adore my DPNs. Still need to try magic loop–and still intimidated by it.
I learned Magic Loop this last year after learning 2 circs from Cat’s book, skipping dpns completely…I never liked dpns…always poking me, always slipping stitches off the ends, etc etc.
I’ve done ‘em all and haven’t decided yet. The downside of Magic Loop is that progress seems slower since you are working two socks at once. On the other hand, no “second sock syndrome.”
I don’t mind dpn’s. I sometimes get ladders, but they mostly disappear. Two needles–especially with Addi Turbos–is smooth and fast. In the beginning, there seemed to be cables all over the place, but now I don’t mind–although the cats seems to think that the dangling needle is a cat toy.
Of course, if you have a lot of WIPs, using two needles starts to become an investment (one that your LYS won’t mind at all!)
Try ‘em all.
Thanks for the advice.I do have Cat’s biook and have read the directions a couple of times. Guess it is time to take the plunge and try 2 circulars. I’ll let you know how I do. The dpn seem to leave holes when I switch to the next one. Can’t wait for our first delivery.
I still can’t figure out the magic loop, but I am finding I prefer two circulars, particularly if I’m doing fair isle patterns. Everyone in my knitting group has a different preference, so I’d say try them all and see what works best for you.
I agree with Marcy et al., try them all and see which suits you the best. You may find that each method has it’s place in your arsenal of techniques.
I can do all three, but prefer dpn and magic loop over 2 circs. There are some great resources online if you search google. Cat Bordhi demonstrates her 2-circ method on youtube.com and there are magic loop presentations as well.
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