One of my new year's resolutions suggestions was to finish the 8 projects that have been lingering in my WIPs . They are all there for a reason---some have been there for years. Over those months and years, I've forgotten exactly why they got put in time-out; maybe (just maybe) I won't hate them so much when I drag them out again. I thought I'd start with these socks; I can usually polish off socks in pretty short order, and that would be a nice way to start my new year's challenge with a big fat check/DONE!!
Plain socks. Nice colors. I was working on the heel when I quit. 1/4 of this project was already finished. Piece of cake.
WRONG.
I've taken a dozen pictures and none will show how awful this yarn is. I thought it must have some mohair in it, which would explain everything because I really HATE mohair (and I have a mohair scarf in that list of 8 that I really dread doing, too. Obviously there is a love/hate relationship here, because I keep buying it.) Looking it up, though, Jawoll Magic Degrade is 75% wool and 25% nylon; that should be great for socks. I should love this. The wool reminds me of a very thin Lopi; very lightly spun, very "hairy". My sharp little knitpicks dps split e-v-e-r-y s-i-n-g-l-e stitch. It will be December before this thing is done. (Yeah, I exaggerate---but just a teeny bit.)
Wait. Could it be that simple?????
See the difference? I found some old 'nasty' hard, blunt, plastic maybe-Susan-Bates-but-I-can't-be-sure needles--and guess what? They are sliding through like a charm! No splitting. No catching. And they are grey! They even match the socks!!! These socks might actually get done.
I hadn't opened this needle holder in years. Thank goodness when it comes to knitting supplies, I'm really hard pressed to ever throw anything away--and there was my solution! The proverbial right 'tool' for the right project---will work every time.
.
A little aside:
I thought I'd find some nice worn wooden dps to solve the problem---
I only had two, bent ones (heaven only knows what project holds the other two??? I sort of remember working on a komodo dragon .... hmmmmmm... )
I have that same love hate thing going with mohair...it's so gorgeous when it's done but such a pain in the.....well, you know...while you're working with it. And remember...it's all about having the proper tools ;) Have a great weekend!!
Posted by: Melissa | 01/11/2013 at 09:02 AM
I say frog it, life's too short to knit on something that is splitty and not fun. However, you do have a lot of the sock done so maybe go on. (psst. I'm not a fan of mohair either!!!)
Posted by: karen | 01/11/2013 at 09:26 AM
So glad this problem may be solved. My husband laughs when I pull out older needles that have a gentle sway to them.
Posted by: Heather | 01/11/2013 at 09:33 AM
Oh Steph! I so agree, I love that you found a good solution by changing your needle. I dislike making toys because to get the dense fabric it calls for you are knitting worsted weight on a size 2 or 3 needle, and making various decreases makes me want to cry. I'd been wanting to knit some of lindas patterns (of natural sububia) so I ordered a pair of signinature stilletos (straights, 10", size 3) after a lifetime of toy making frustration I found JOY!! they made it effortless, and a complete pleasure. Now I'm thinking it would have been helpful to mention this in my last post...
I agree about mohair also, but I think you would change your mind if you tried beaverslide (my iPad tried to auto correct that to beavers lied, hee hee). They have a blend 90 10, merino mohair that is exquisite, soft, unhairy and the more I wear the things I've made with it, the softer it becomes. It's changed my mind about mohair forever!
Good luck finishing your wips!
Posted by: Lori | 01/11/2013 at 10:08 AM
The saying, 'The right tool for the job' is something Mike always says, usually when I am using a butter knife as a screwdriver. I am very happy that you found the right tool for those socks, and how sweet that they match.
Have a great weekend. We are 75 and sunny...I want snow!
Posted by: Tracey | 01/11/2013 at 11:04 AM
No! Don't tell me the Jawoll Magic is terrible to work with... I have a skein of that tagged for socks that is simply too beautiful to hate!
I really love this colorway though -- excellent choice. How could you not buy it?
Posted by: Joseph | 01/11/2013 at 12:53 PM
LOL! I KNOW about the love/hate relationship with mohair!! LOL! I'm obsessed right now with the Dreambird (I think) pattern. It's done with mohair. LOL!
As I was buying yet another set of needles this week, I commented to my friend/cashier at the LYS, "I need to let one of my children know there is a small fortune in needles at my house, so they can at least pass them on to another knitter and not throw them out as trash!" LOL!
The tools DO make all the difference! blessings ~ tanna
Posted by: tanna | 01/12/2013 at 07:42 AM
no fun knitting something you don't love! and mohair...no thanks.
Posted by: amanda {the habit of being} | 01/14/2013 at 01:10 PM