Last night I needed some ‘listening’ knitting – very basic knitting I can do without looking at it too much – to do at a talk on Edgar Allen Poe. The only knitting I had in progress was the first Flow Motion sock, which is in the midst of concentration-demanding lace.
I didn’t think I had the time to choose a new sock project, so I slipped the stitches of the first Flow Motion sock onto a circular needle to free up the needles, then started the toe of the second sock. There was at least a hour or more of straight stocking stitch I could do before the lace started.
I was almost there when this happened:
The needle just went ‘click’, and it was suddenly in two pieces. I wasn’t knitting particularly fiercely, and it broke with hardly any resistance. Well, the needles were an op shop buy and probably quite old, so I’m hardly devastated. It’s just inconvenient. I don’t have any other 2.75 mm dpns.
So I’m going to have to:
a) Put the socks aside while I start scouring the yarn stores of Melbourne for bamboo dpns in that size
b) Put the socks aside while I start searching local op shops for one 2.75mm plastic dpn
c) Sharpen the end of the broken needle and keep knitting
I’d probably do c if it weren’t for the fact my distaste for lace has kicked in, and the thought of starting another pair of socks is far more appealling. I have three types of socks left: cabled, stitch pattern and non-wool. And three sources left: knitty, Favourite Socks and Socks Socks Socks. What do to next?
I love your idea of a sock challenge. I am a long way from being ready for that – I’m just trying to memorize a basic sock pattern! The Flow motions are lovely, but I particularly enjoy knitting socks that are simple, take-anywhere. If I have to sit down and concentrate, I’d rather make a shawl or something. Still, they are purty. Good luck finding another needle!
So frustrating when that happens. I stuck mine in a sharpener and kept going the last time it happened. You’re going great guns with the challenge!
I’m sure there would be some 2.75mm dpns in my late mother-in-laws stash. Only problem is, I’m in Burnie and the stash is at my other house in Melbourne. I’ll be back there for a couple of days in a fortnight or so, and I’d be happy to have a look when I’m there, if you can bear to wait that long.
Jill.