#46. Prym Needles

While at Vogue Live in Columbus back in November, I bought a pair of circular Prym needles.  These are relatively new needles from a German company.  They are supposed to be better ergonomically.  They are extremely light weight thus easier on the hands and have a nodule at the top to reduce splitting the yarn while knitting.  I bought them specifically to go with a sweater kit I also bought at Vogue Live.  (Yes, I know you are supposed to swatch to find the needle and size to match the sweater gauge.  I have probably too much confidence but am adjusting the pattern to fit the gauge that I’m making with these size 6 prym needles.)

I do like how light weight they are.  The nodule tips though probably does make it harder to do M1Ls.  On the other hand I’m probably splitting the yarn less which made it easier to rip out 40 rows when the colors pooled poorly.

I haven’t done a gauge comparison.  One reviewer found her gauge larger with the prym needle versus knitters pride needles for the same size needle.  This actually could be a good thing as it’s an extra tool when trying to match the pattern gauge.

Unfortunately prym doesn’t sell 40cm circular needles which is the size I need for the sleeves.  Also the tips would need to be shorter in order to knit a smaller circumference.  Since this sweater involves stripes, I want to knit the arms at the same time I knit the body.  I don’t want to do my usual of knitting the body and then going back to do each arm.  So I plan to use my knitters pride dreamz size 6 needle for the arms.  The gauge may not be identical to the body but at least both arms will be the same.

 

#45. 2020 Knitting Plan

As discussed before, I really liked having a knitting plan last year so I made a plan for 2020. It was helpful among my knitting friends as well.  Kim and I are already working on the “advent” sweater together.  It’s helpful to have someone to bounce ideas and questions off of.

We shared plans on Jan 3 and made modifications so that sweaters we jointly wanted to knit were timed together.  Kim and I (and Collette and Colleen?) will knit the Vitamin B sweater starting in August.  Colleen and I (and Lise?) will knit the Amrum sweater (ITO yarn) beginning in April.  Tentatively I have the Professor Cat sweater for October with Collette but might switch with the Roselle Tee with Teresa.

This year I am not planning to take any classes as I have plenty of projects already on my plate.  In 2019 I took a brioche class that I’m planning to use in 2020 with the Vitamin B sweater and another shawl project.  And I took the argyl sock class that I didn’t finish so it’s a 2020 project.  Not surprisingly my first 3 years of knitting were filled with classes as I learned new techniques and how to make shawls, sweaters, and socks.  Now I’m ready to apply those skills.

I know the owner of my LYS may be insulted as I don’t have plans for classes there not a need for yarn.  I am not avoiding the shop it’s just that I already have enough yarn and desired projects.  In the past my knitting tended to be driven by the classes offered.  Now it’s being driven by my plan with yarns I’d already purchased.

#44. Florida Knitting

Well I’ve heard others say it but indeed I did it…. I packed my knitting projects that I want to knit while in Florida weeks ahead of packing my clothes. 😂  I know I’ve packed more than I can knit in 3 months but wanted to make sure I didn’t run out.  I packed a whole carryon duffle bag with yarn projects.

I of course packed the “advent” sweater that I started in December.  Unfortunately it took me all December to get my Christmas yarn socks knitted so I didn’t even get through the first ball of the “advent” sweater.  Kim has gotten a good start on it so I need to focus to catch up with her.  It is a simple knit so with her working and me not, I hope to catch up.

I also packed the shellseeker sweater that I want to knit for me.  I’ve already knit this sweater for Sara.  It also is not a complicated pattern so I’m hoping it knits up fast.  That will be two sweaters in 3 months which is highly aggressive for me.  But that’s not all …. I packed lots I fixation yarn to have a simple sock to knit during any social knitting I’m able to find.  Plus the  difficult argyl socks that are a carryover from 2019.

Plus I have enough yarn to make another pair of fingerless gloves.  So way more yarn than I can possibly knit up in 3 months.  Biggest issue will be focusing and possibly ergonomics issues.  I already have some problems with my thumb getting or elbow getting sore.  So I need to switch between Continental and English knitting, larger needles (sweaters) and smaller needles (socks/gloves) and learning to knit without looking at my knitting.  Lots to learn and make while counting down the days in Florida.