Options vs. Addi

I bought a set of the new Knitpicks Options needles and brought them back from NYC. There have been different opinions on these needles. I have used the 4.5mm from the set and the 2mm circulars that I bought in addtion to the set because the set only starts at US 4 (3.5mm).

So far I have not had any problems with the needle coming apart. I find the joins on both the needle set and the regular circular needles extremely smooth. The points are much better than the Addi's and I am an Addi fanatic. I love my Addi Turbos. I als found I am able to do the Magic Loop for my socks with a 32" circular needle. With the Addi that would have been impossible. The cords are just not flexible enough. These cords are amazing. They are practically unkinked right out of the package.

I've heard complaints about the size being off. I didn't find this to be the case. It was a tiny bit of on maybe 3 of the sizes. Otherwise the sizes were dead on and I have the knitting needle gauge from Nancy's Knit Kards.

Still other people felt the needles were too heavy. I don't feel this is the case at all. As I said, to try the set out I used the 4.5mm needles to knit a poncho with worsted weight yarn and there are about 270 sts on the needle. I had no problem knitting.

P.S.
I was having a problem with one of the cords not being smooth. I called Knitpicks and they are sending me out a new one. I have not used all the cords yet and a quick once over tells me I might have the same problem with another one or two but I know that the customer service is great so I am not worried.
My daughter bought a set and she had a problem with her 24" cables. Something about the screw not being long enough, I think. She also said the tips she was using tarnished. I have not had that problem yet. She will mention it when she calls them about the 24" cables. I'll keep you posted on how it went.

I'm back from vacation. I went to New York City to see the family. Here are 3 of my grandchildren. I had a great time.

Believe it or not I even managed to get knitting done. I finally finished my third Clapotis. I still have to block it but at least it's done. This one took me over a year to knit. The only time I ever had a chance to work on it was when I was out of town.

I also finished one sock from the Sensational Socks book. I don't think I like the construction. The socks are done from the toe up but you start the heel flap at least 2 inches before the heel and then you pick up the stitches for the heel gussett. I like the way the heel is done by Jackie E-S in her Basic Toe Up Sock Worksheet much better. I bought Simple Socks Plain and Fancy by Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts. I am hoping it will give me more design ideas because I would like to try and design my own socks and I want to try the short row heel.

Now that I'm home I would like to try and finish the Mystery Stole 2 (now named Scheherezade Stole). I've seen pictures of the finished stole on other peoples blogs. It is absolutely stunning. I'll keep everyone posted on my progress.

Half a Pomatomus Is Better Than None?



Pomatomus is an FO!! They didn't come out quite like I wanted them to but I think they look alright. I definitely don't like the way the heel is done. I am thinking that if I decide to make this sock again I am going to work it from the toe up. I still won't do the foot in pattern but I think it will look much better.


I cast on another sock last night. This time I was finally able to do the Turkish cast-on. It is much easier than I thought it would be and the look is great. I am working on a pattern from the Sensational Knitted Socks book. It's called Oriel and is in the 12 stitch pattern repeat section



I haven't had a chance to work on clue 4 of the Mystery Stole yet and it doesn't look promising that I will get any stole knitting time in until I get back from vacation. So I will be way behind by the end of the month.