If you have been reading this blog for a while, you will know how utterly thrilled I am to be writing the following words: I have finished the Jaywalkers. This project had been on my needles for over 14 months and taunted me at every turn. But now I have subdued them into submission, and I owe it all to my trusty
Enter the size 1 Addi Turbo (40 inches--because I am a size queen). Hello sailor! Yes, this past weekend my Magic Loop and I were able to make mincemeat of the Jaywalkers . And I am delighted.
The Specs
Pattern: The Jaywalkers
Yarn: Opal Hand painted. I began this project so long ago that the person who hand painted the skein is most likely pushing up daisies. But I think the color is #20.
Needles: First they were on size 1 dpns. Two of them broke, and the manufacturer replaced them. Then I wised up and broke out the Loop. Nirvana ensued.
Notes: The socks are tight as hell, so they are destined for a friend with a dainty foot. If there is ever a next time, I'll definitely use a softer yarn like maybe Sundara or Brooklyn Handspun. The Opal Hand painted was too twine-like for my tastes.
*Before Magic Loop era. A time when knitting was dominated by frustration, sluggishness and a general lack of progress. Also referred to as the Dark Ages and the Sad period.
I am sure many of you remember my super pal Kenric. You know, the guy who knit a purse in a day after about 4 minutes of knitting instruction? Well, he's become very active in The Lifestyle. He has knit about 3 more purses. He has joined a Men's Knitting Group in San Jose. He has made friends with other local knitters and is making plans for an LYS yarn crawl. He is on Ravelry--check him out! He is making a cabled sweater. Yeah, his first sweater has cables. Alice Starmore you better watch out, sister, because I'm sure he'll be doing stranding before Labor Day.
Very pretty Jaywalkers. It's so true. The Magic Loop saved me from being a sock outcast! It's like, well, Magic! I don't think I'll ever use a dpn again.
ReplyDeleteYou are really whipping right through the projects, making me feel all the more concerned about my lack of progress. Someday I shall finish that Kipling sweater...
I bow to Kenric and his newbie knitting powers. He is truly amazing.
Oh, and why is it so hard to take sock pictures?
That Kenric is really just amazing, as are your Jaywalkers. Did you do 2 at a time? Please lie and say no if you did. That super cable magic loop i still so kicking my butt.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, showing those Jaywalkers who is boss. There's nothing you and your Magic Loop can't do. (Is it just me, or does that sound vaguely dirty??) As for Kenric - I'm green with envy over his knitting abilities.
ReplyDeleteLove the colorway on those Jaywalkers! I still haven't started socks yet, maybe I'll take a magic loop class to avoid frustration from the get-go. :)
ReplyDelete-Erin
www.knitcore.com
Hitachi Magic Wand...you crack me up! Congrats on finishing the Jaywalkers. I ripped mine and haven't started another pair yet. I think that the pattern is so simple that I don't pay attention and then--BAM--I've screwed up.
ReplyDeletei couldn't knit a sock without magic loop. it's just too good.
ReplyDeletei only use dpns to fend off attackers these days.
the socks look great!
Yay, Magic Loop! Go, Kenric!
ReplyDeleteYour Jaywalkers came out beautifully. I love the colors in that yarn.
ReplyDeleteSome people are just born with mad skills when it comes to knitting. It's clear to see that Kenric was just passing time waiting until someone taught him a couple stitches.
you know, i started a pair of jaywalkers about then and just never finished them. finally just wound the yarn and gave it away. not a sock knitter, no siree. and my pre magic loop days were SCARY!
ReplyDeleteYay for finishing the pretty jaywalkers! Yay for Kenric getting into the lifestyle!
ReplyDeleteMagic Loop RULES!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have to learn this Magic Loop trickery...
ReplyDeletelove the Jaywalkers!
Hey, congrats for finally taming them!! Now there's no limit to your sock ambition. How about these ? Or these ?
ReplyDeleteStrangely enough I never took up to that Magic Loop business and stick to my sticks... Probably just another sign of my masochism.
Kenric rocks ! ;-D
Yeah to you and your jaywalkers!!!
ReplyDeleteCan you believe I havn't tried the magic look yet? What is wrong with me! :)
That Kenric...........he is awesome!
You and Kenric are making ME feel like a slothful and slovenly girl with all your productivity. My #%$@ jaywalkers are still languishing in my UFO basket. I made the mistake of knitting mine in cotton. Stiff, rigid, dastardly cotton!!! So magic loop is the answer hein?
ReplyDeleteGo Kenric go!
great jaywalkers! I've never tried the magic loop before but I just ordered the needles for socks on 2 circs... is that similar?
ReplyDeleteAnd dude if what he is holding up is his first sweater that guy is the bravest knitter ever!
Ok, this Kenric HAS to get himself a blog aka Brooklyn tweed. And I think he's messin with our minds,I betcha he has been knitting for 10 years!!! But gosh darn, don't he look cute?!
ReplyDeleteHiiiiiiii!!!!!!! Oh how I've missed my blog pals. I love your socks and the 2 sweaters! They are absolutely adorable! Kenric is amazing! I can't believe his first sweater has cables! Well, you know men were the first knitters (I've been told). Before you know it, we'll be seeing Kenric's original patterns/designs in magazines and runways.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, Kenric! That guy is amazing!!
ReplyDeleteAs are your Jaywalkers, madame. Congratulations on finally finishing them. You have finally gotten rid of that albatross in your life.
P.S. I'm glad you like Magic Loop, too. It's all I do now. Why did I ever fiddle around with DPNs?
ReplyDeleteI am SOOOO with you on the ML and BML dark ages. I fiddled with dpns for approximately 5.2 seconds before I said, there's GOT to be a better way. Discovery of 1.) extra short circ - not.good - major hand pain 2.) 2 circs and best of all 3.) the wonderful ML method ensued.
ReplyDeleteYay Kenric - LOL at "become active in The Lifestyle". It so is The Lifestyle. I think, talk, read and write about it all the time even when I'm not actually doing it - I think that Lifestyle is a good way to sum it up.
Maybe I will try magic loop someday, but I love my dpns. I enjoy working with them. That Kenric must be cool. My first sweater was color work and the second was cables. A real life Aran. I like Kenric already....
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you could get those babies off the needles - it becomes a mission. I am always breaking needles too - I may have to venture to magic loop. Kenric is a cute knitter too!
ReplyDeleteyay, all your hard work finally prevailed! woohoo! those are some damn fine daywalkers, if i do say so myself.
ReplyDeleteand yeah, jaywalkers are tight. there are a few pair that require the jaws of life to take on and off. ;) the one tip i can pass along for you on your next pair is to use a sock yarn that is slightly thinner gauge than your average sock yarn (like opal). like lorna's laces or brooklyn handspun's signature sock yarn (like you mentioned on your post). i have jaywalkers knit up in both and they both fit like a dream. the thinner yarn means fabric with a little more give. :)
Wonderful jaywalkers! I must admit, I've procrastinated on those after hearing so much about the sizing issues. One day I'm sure I'll give it a go, though! I'm glad you finished yours!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Jaywalkers! I did mine on magic loop from start to finish and those socks still kicked my ass. I think I had Jaywalker mental block. I'm so impressed with Kenric's knitting abilities! He's definitely a Knitter.
ReplyDeleteYay! They turned out great! :D
ReplyDeleteKendric is very very impressive. Wow!
My heroine. My second and last pair of socks took me 2 1/2 years and then I gave up and frogged. YAY for you for Victory at last!
ReplyDeleteYour jaywalkers are so pretty. Congrats on finishing them! You know what? I think mine are a bit tight, but once they're on, they're okay. But still! They are so tight!
ReplyDeleteDude, I love Kenric! And congrats on the Jaywalkers. Have heard they're tight as all get out - but look you have no pooling! ;)
ReplyDeleteYour Kenric is quite the Wunderkind! Great Jaywalkers.
ReplyDeleteHoly Pajamas!! Kenricis a freakin prodigy!!
ReplyDeleteLOL @ dark ages before ML. I agree!! :oD