accessories: October 2006 Archives

My first Fest FO! They're both simple -- but very wearable -- and have reved up my knitting momentum.

Pattern: My own (if you can really call them that). See details below

Yarn: 1 hank of Briar Rose Tuscany (80% Wool 20% Flax 245 yards)

Pattern Details

I did a basic hand warmer knit from knuckles to elbow. I wasn't sure if I'd have enough yarn so this way was safer. About halfway down the forearm I added some increases to go with the shape of my arm.

I finished the mitts on Friday night and I still had 40 grams of yarn left. I was surprised since the put-up was only 100 grams. I weighed the leftover yarn and the mitts -- I got 125 grams in my hank!

Since I had approximately 98 yards left I decided to make a scarf too. I'm so glad I did.

I've been coveting those lengthways garter stitch scarves, so I finally made one for myself.

SO. EASY.

Here's what I did:

Gauge: 14 sts per 4 inches
CO approx 250 sts (I used the knitted cast on so I didn't have to fuss with approximating the cast on tail. I just counted as I casted on, and didn't go back to re-count). Love that.

Knit 2 rows in the Briar Rose. After I did that I re-weighed what was left. I only had enough for 6 more rows.

So I rumaged through the stash and found 5 other coordinating yarns. I finished up 2 partial balls from other projects, as well as using some yarn from a couple of single balls I had around when I ordered yarns online to try out their colors.

When I finished the scarf it was very stretchy. So I washed it and tossed it in the dryer for 15 minutes. When I took it out it was less stretchy, a bit denser, and a bit thicker. Perfect.

And the best part? I've completely used up 1 hank from Rhinebeck!

I lied. There was one more purchase I made at Rhinebeck. It's Briar Rose Fibers Sonoma (80% wool 20% flax). I was drawn to the creamy flecks of flax and the gentle gradations of color.

It's just one hank -- enough for a generous pair of mitts (up to the elbow).

I'm doing them fingertip to elbow to try and use up the whole hank (and now that I'm halfway done I think I may still have some leftover).

The other purchase? I finally bought some Knit Picks needles. I got the Options Kit as well as the Classic Circulars in the smaller sock sizes.

A lot of reviews have already been written so I'll be brief:

• I love love love them
• The super-flexy cable is perfect for magic looping
• The join on the Options line is smooth and both a large gauge yarn (3.5 spi) and a very fine gauge yarn (10 spi) slipped over it without a hitch
• The points are amazing and have the Addis beaten hands down
• The needles are very slick. Both yarns I've used with them were wool. I haven't tried them with a sticky cotton-type yarn yet.
• The needle case is well made and holds *a lot* more than just the needles

I have 2 small criticisms:

• The needles have no indication of their size. It's easy enough to check with a needle sizer, but a little stamp at the base would be a nice addition.
• There's no 2.75mm or 2.25mm (there are so few options for these sizes, at least in the US).

So that's my quickie review -- great needles at an even better value. At 40% the price of Addis, with a slick surface, a more flexible cable, and a pointier tip, these are a fabulous choice.