Japanese vines is sleeping for a bit. The only size 3 needles that I have that aren’t dpns: a pair (rather inexpensive) of bamboo straights and the tips are just too blunt for lace. Working on it’s been a struggle, and I’m done fighting with lace on these needles.

I already have the Options set (reviewed at Knitters Review), which I really enjoy using. I already bought the Knitpicks sock needles, too and they’re a joy to use. No more stopping to sand my bamboo dpns because they’re snagging my yarn. (I’m thinking kindling for those! grr.)

Since I’ve had such a good experience with the both, I went ahead and bought the Knit Picks Fixed Circular Needles in the smaller sizes not included in the options set. I’d been holding off on getting them because I wasn’t certain how much I’d really get into lace or sock knitting, both of which often require the smaller size needles. I’m finding I enjoy both equally, though for different reasons, so I can justify the purchase to myself.

In the meantime, I’ve got socks and a sweater to work on anyway, so it’s not like I have nothing to knit.

I’m still forging ahead on the pseudo noro stripes scarf, but I want nothing more than to finish and go back to my Japanese Vines Scarf that’s waiting so patiently for me in my knitting bag. Okay, it’s kind of mocking me there, reminding me that I have 12 inches left to go on my aunt’s scarf before I can return to it.

more…

In Progress

Pattern: Japanese Vines
Source: Download from Another Knitting Blog. $5.00.
Size: The three motif repeat option.
Yarn: Limeade Semi solid hand dyed yarn by Brooke at the painted tiger.
Needle size: US 3, 3.25 mm
Pattern Modifications: I’m planning to knit both ends of the scarf and graft them together in the middle, so the vine pattern runs the “right” direction on both ends.

Half the first pattern repeat, shot in daylight.

The koi pond handpainted highlights socks are still on hold while I battle my spring bout of arthritis in my hands. Knitting with toothpicks + arthritis flare-up == not so enjoyable. Luckily going up just two needle sizes is enough to solve the problem and keep me knitting.

All the first pattern repeat, shot with the flash.

It was a pretty casual day of knitting. I did a little in the morning, before errands and going for a walk and playing World of Warcraft with our friend Steve who comes over to play because it feels more social to have a friend over on our third computer. I did a little in the evening, after errands and going for a walk and playing World of Warcraft. I don’t think this would take long to finish at all if I were working at it with any intensity.

A little detail.

The semisolid yarn really seems the way to go with this pattern and I’m liking the spring green color of the yarn, even if I’m finding it impossible to capture the color of the yarn exactly. Check out the link to the yarn in the project notes to see a picture that does actually manage to capture the color.

The pattern itself is a nice way to play with sock yarn if you’re afraid of sock knitting, or if you’re like me, think that sock knitting is crazy. (Pay no attention to the sock in progress beside my knitting chair.) The yarn itself is really nice, soft and sproingy. Brooke’s done a great job of picking out a base yarn to work her color artistry on.

Boo, just before she got shooed away from the photo shoot.

It’s tempting enough that both my kitty yarn testers have been dying to get their claws into it. I’ve shooed both cats away from my yarn bag and even caught Sully trying to casually walk off with the skein like it was a cat toy. If only I’d been quicker with the camera.