I really can’t say enough good things about this book. If you’re a fan of Itty Bitty Hats and Itty Bitty Nursery (and how could you not be!?), then this book is a must-have.

The first thing that impressed me was the number of patterns. I don’t have the book in front of me at this moment to count, but I believe there are at least 25 different projects! There are plenty of animals and toys appropriate for girls AND boys, which is a relief for those of us who struggle to find cute knitted gifts to make for baby boys. The book is also totally appropriate for knitters of pretty much any skill-level. If you can knit and purl in the round, you can handle this book.

I started the giraffe project (on the cover) right away because I know a little boy who loves giraffes very much, and he totally needed it.  (Ha ha.)

Pattern: Giraffe by Susan B. Anderson (from Itty Bitty Toys)
Yarn: Berroco Comfort (2 skeins “Goldenrod”, 1 skein “Pumpkin”)

Ok so fine… at the moment my giraffe looks more like a gourd or butternut squash. But he’s coming along.  I’ve named him “Gordon” (because of his gourd-y look).

I only started knitting him on Friday and his head and body are totally done (as you can obviously see) and I also have about one leg finished. I was surprised how fast he knits up, and I was also surprised how big he is! I think he’s really going to be quite huggable and lovable.  Can’t wait to sew on his spots and embroider his face!

First, there’s Socks from the Toe Up by Wendy D. Johnson of WendyKnits.  I pre-ordered this one the day it was announced, I think.  Wendy is 100% responsible for turning me on to toe-up socks.  I hated toe-ups  prior to her patterns.  She’s just a fantastic designer.  Her patterns are always easy to read and understand, and the finished product always has a perfect fit.

Visit her blog to see four sample photos of patterns in the book, including the one I re-posted here, Diamond Gansey socks.  (I need to knit these!)  Also, she’s posted a PDF of one of the book’s patterns for a free download!  (Thanks, Wendy & Potter Craft!!)

The second book due out next month is Cookie A’s Sock Innovation.  Every sock knitter knows and loves Cookie A.  The Monkey Sock is my favorite pattern of all time.  And now we get an entire book of Cookie A.-designed goodness?!  Hooray!  I was reading the Knitter’s Anonymous blog this morning (which talks about the lovely Cachoeira socks in the latest Knitty) and at the bottom of the post, it mentioned that the patterns contained in the book are now linked on Ravelry, ready to be queued!  There are great photos so you can really get a feel for the book.  It looks like there’s going to be a wide array of socks from very easy to very challenging.  (Which is good — Cookie can get very challenging with her patterns and I was afraid the book would all be far beyond my skill!)

… So I guess this means that I need to gather up my size 1 and 2 needles and get to rollin’ some sock yarn!

I know there’s been mixed reviews on these, so I thought I’d throw my own two-cents in.

The Packaging.

The needle set comes in a large case that has a cardboard slipcover.  Once you slip the cardboard sleeve off the case, the case is held shut by a magnetic flap.  There is no carry-handle on the case (which it could beneift by) but I did find that it fit fine inside my larger knitting bags.  As a matter of fact, I liked that I could put it in my bag against the stiff center divider and “pinch” my paper patterns between the case and the divider to keep them flat.

The inside of the case puts me in mind of the velvet cases that fine silverware are kept in.  Everything has its place, though the largest size of needles don’t fit well into their spot.  However, they do not keep the case from closing, so I didn’t find that to be too much of an issue.

I did find that tilting the closed case on its side or upside down was a bad idea — the needles don’t stay in their spots very well and get jumbled up.

What’s Included.

In the set, you get: 10 sets of needles (US 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10.5, 11, 13, and 15) , 3 cords (one each of 24″, 32″, and 40″), a connector piece (to hook multiple cords together), a needle gauge, and a gold-colored heart pin.

Clicking the Click Needles into Place.

Addi Clicks “click” into place without the use of any other tools.  You pick a cord and your needle tips.  You insert the cord into the needle and press.  There is a spring-like bit inside that you can feel give under the pressure.  When you feel the spring compress, you twist it slightly and the spring pushes back outward, catching the needle in place.

I found connecting the needles a little challenging at first, but as soon as I got the feel of the tiny spring (or whatever it is) inside compressing, then it wasn’t difficult at all.  I think part of my difficulty was that my hands were a bit clammy and slipping on teh metal needles when I was trying to twist also.  Overall though, it takes a few tries but once you have the hang of it, they’re not difficult at all.

Knitting with Addi Clicks.

For my first try with my new set of Addi Clicks, I hooked up the US 4 needles and the 32″ cable and started a pair of magic loop sport-weight socks.  I figured that if anything would put the needles through their paces, it would be the yanking and pulling of magic loop.  Also, if the cords were going to crease, again magic loop would do that.

I was very pleased with the needles as far as staying connected.  I have a pair of KnitPicks interchangables and while I like them a lot, I have had many instances where needles have popped off or come unscrewed.  No such problems with my Addi’s yet.  The cord also was great and had very little memory.

My only slight complaint is the lump where the join between the neele and cord is.  You can see it in the photo at right — there’s a jump in circumference as you come up the cord to the connector and onto the needle.  The good thing is that the yarn doesn’t snag there.  I’ve had instances where my KnitPicks interchangeables have a rough edge at that point that snags the plys in the yarn apart.  Nothing actually catches on the Addis and nothing damages the yarn, but I did find myself having to pause and give the loops a little extra shove to get them sliding up the needle.  So that can slow down your knitting a bit.  But I don’t find it to be a deal-breaker.  Every type of interchangable needles has trade-off(s) you give up from fixed circulars for the convenience of an interchangeable set.  Overall, I think the Addi’s have far less trade-offs than some of the alternative brands.

The Price Tag.

At $149, the Addi set is certainly an investment.  However, like most interchangeable sets, if you price out the cost of each size needle in each cord length, you’ll find it to be pretty reasonable.  The Addi’s also include the cord extender, which adds to their value because you can connect multiple cords to get more than 40″ lengths.

While I don’t plan to toss out my KnitPicks interchangeables, I know I’ll be favoring this set, particularly for more difficult yarns and projects (like lace, mohair, etc.) where having a needle pop off and drop sitches would result in complete frogging.  It’s kind of like — your old “beater” car might be just fine for a quick jaunt around town, but for a long trip, you’d prefer driving something a bit more safe, reliable, and perhaps a little more luxurious and comfortable.  My only complaint of the moment is that I would like to be able to buy more cords for the set so I could have two or three of my most-used lengths.  But I’m sure once the back-orders are filled, Addi will start selling the cords individually.

Bottom line:  If you’re a die-hard Addi fan or really appreciate good needles, then this set should certainly be on your wishlist.

I haven’t had a chance to start reading it yet (hopefully before bed tonight!) but just the inside-cover makes me smile:

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (a.k.a. the Yarn Harlot) returns to pen another hilarious, insightful, and poignant collection of essays surrounding her favorite topics: knitting, knitters, and what happens when you get those two things anywhere near ordinary people.  Free Range Knitter shares stories of knitting horrors and triumphs and knitting successes and defeats, but, mostly, it shares stories about the human condition that ring true for everyone–especially if you happen to have a rather large amount of yarn in your house.

Really, how can you not love the Yarn Harlot?!  And my husband wonders why I did a little happy-dance around the living room when I opened the box from Amazon.com?  Pfft, seriously.  I’m off to read…

Namaste Cali Laguna knitting bag in “Peacock”

Oh ya, I’m bustin’ out the big-size picture for that one!  This is the new color from Namaste, apparently.  It’s called “peacock.”  At least, I know I haven’t seen it before and it wasn’t available when I ordered my bag a couple weeks back.  I’d ordered the olive color, which is definitely lovely.  But this color… is my color.

As a matter of fact, I cast on a Clapotis tonight out of Malabrigo Worsted that just so happens to be pretty much the exact same color!  Hey, at least I have consistant taste when it comes to my color choices.

So anyway, I am so freakin’ excited about this bag!  Like I mentioned, I’d ordered the Cali Laguna a couple weeks ago and it was due to come in sometime in mid-June, I believe.  Well tonight, Pat (the owner of my much-loved LYS) walked in with this bag on her arm, which I believe she brought back from TNNA.  Everyone fell in LOVE with the new color.  I commented that I’d wished I had waited to order mine because I liked this color even better than the olive … and she let me have this one!

… So yes, I think that makes reason #9,879 why I love my LYS. 

I’m planning on carrying this as a purse and knitting bag.  I already found spots for my wallet, checkbook, chapstick, and cell phone (I’m a just-the-essentials kinda girl when it comes to that stuff).  I still have tons of room leftover.  I think I could easily carry three small projects (like socks or small lace scarves) or one big project and a small one.  I can’t believe how roomy this bag is!  No more carrying two bags to work every day!  I’ll have pleny of room to tuck a paperback novel in here too.  Yay!!

Speaking of projcts, I have maybe 20 more rows to go and then I’ll be done with my Hug Me shrug.  It’s technically supposed to get a crochet edge, but I think I may leave it off.  I could always go back and put it on later if I feel like it.  I can’t wait to take it to work.  I’m planning on keeping it in my cubicle for those days when I get chilly (which is pretty much every day — our office’s a/c is COLD!).

So because I was almost done with that, I decided to go and cast on a new project.  (Heh, heh.)  As I mentioned, I’m working on my very first Clapotis, using Malabrigo worsted.  I’ve never knitted with Malabrigo before, but I’d heard such good things about it that I was really psyched when my LYS got it in stock.  I got 4 skeins in the Emerald colorway.  Emerald doesn’t really describe it, in my opinion.  It’s much more teal or peacock-colored rather than emerald.  I noticed that the skeins are twisted so tightly that it’s kind of deceptive — it doesn’t feel nearly as soft on the skein.  But knitting with it?  Oooohh heaven.  I think I have a new favorite yarn, at least for worsted-weight.

Finally, I started sketching a cute little fair isle pattern in my knitting-notepad today.  I know it’s not very complex, but I’m really liking it.  Who knows when I’ll actually have time to attempt knitting it up though.  But I do have the yarn I want to use… he he.

Anyway, it’s late and I’m on this kick where I’d like to attempt to get my lazy arse out of bed early in the morning to exercise (I desperately need to shed some pounds, and it’s waaaay too damn hot to work out in the afternoons) and eat a healthy breakfast.  We’ll see that goes.   But if I’m going to stand a chance, I best get to bed soon…

If you’re at all familiar with Flat Feet sock yarn, you’ll get the concept right away. Two key differences though: the KnitPicks version is a blank for you to dye yourself, and it is double-stranded so you can make two identical socks from it.

The KnitPicks blank is a double-stranded flat length of knitted material that you can easily hand-dye a striped pattern using acid dyes. You can also do other effects such as this gradated technique which really appeals to me.

What’s even more fun… you can knit socks 2 at a time directly from the blank and the striping pattern will be identical on both socks! How brilliant is that? I love knitting socks two-at-a-time and this completely takes away the issue of having the two balls tangling around eachother.

I wonder how big of a mess I’d make with acid dyes in our apartment? I’ve never done any dyeing before, though it’s something that definitely interests me. I’m just hesitant to mess with dye in a place we’re renting. (Don’t want to kill our security deposit ya’know?) Yet, I’m really, really tempted.

Seriously, I just went to the KnitPicks site to order some lace blocking wires…

ETA: Alright, I caved. Looks like I better start shopping for all the other supplies (mask, gloves, squeeze-bottles, etc.) that I’m going to need for the dyeing process… ’cause I know I’m going to want to dye this up as soon as it arrives in the mail!

The most progress I’ve been making is on the pair of socks I’ve been knitting at work during lunch time. (Did I mention I’ve now managed to learn how to eat, read a book, and knit all at the same time? I feel quite talented.)

Pattern: Yarn Harlot’s Basic Sock Recipe (from Knitting Rules!)
Yarn: Misty Mountain Farm Jubilee in “Sunset”
Needles: Lantern Moon Sox Stix DPNs, size 2 (ebony)

I still don’t quite get why this color is called “Sunset” — to me, it says “Easter” or “springtime.” Maybe it’s just me. Regardless, it’s pretty.

OH! I fully retract my initial glowing review of Lantern Moon Sox Stix. Last week when I was working on these socks, I was knitting along and the needle in my left hand snapped in half! That left me with 4 needles, so I transferred the instep to a single needle and kept knitting. Then yesterday, the tip of one of the needles chipped off. It’s almost as if the wood is getting brittle or something? But for $23 per set, they should certainly last a lot longer than a few months.

I said “bah-humbug” on them and ordered myself a set of metal DPNs from KnitPicks.

They had the Laguna in hot pink and the Malibu in lime (or maybe it was vice-versa). They’re beautiful bags. Everyone in the shop was drooling over them, I think. The materials they’re made from are so soft and luscious and they just feel so well-made. Unfortunately, they also have a price-tag reflective of that. Not to say they’re not worth every penny, but I couldn’t justify spending money on one right now.

BUT I’m thinking if I can use birthday money to pay for most of it, I don’t have to feel nearly so guilty, right?!

And I’ve also been thinking: they’re such handsome bags that you really could carry it for a purse, so it’s doing double-duty. As it is, I carry a purse and a tote-bag everyday to work. My purse has my cellphone, car keys, wallet, and assorted lip-balms and such. My tote has my planner, my iPod, a book to read at lunchtime, and whatever other miscellaneous things I might need/want for the day. I think I could easily fit all those things into one of the Namaste bags and still have room to carry a knitting project too! I’m thinking I could put my “purse stuff” along with my planner, book, and iPod on one side of the center divider and carry a knitting project on the other side. I just love the idea of having a knitting project with me everywhere I go! (Never know when you’re going to have a long wait, ya know?)

But now I have to figure out which bag… My first impression was that the Laguna (pictured above in the Olive color) looked a little too “bowling bag”-like for my taste. But the more I look at it, the more I have to admit that I do like the structure. But I’m still leaning toward the Malibu (pictured to the left). It just seems like it would be more comfortable to carry. I’ll have to look at them again at the LYS the next time I stop by.

I can’t decide on the color either. The bright colors are lovely (especially the lime!) but being that I plan to use this as a purse and knitting bag, I’m wanting to go with something more subdued and practical. I’m thinking charcoal or saddle. I love the rich color of the saddle but if I’m going to carry it to work, I tend to wear more black than brown… so I don’t know. Olive is another option that I like. The Malibu bag in saddle would be awfully lovely though, I think…

Does anyone have these bags already? How do you like them so far?

First, thank you — you know who you are. I don’t know why you do what you do… but thanks. You’re something else!

Look! Sensational Knited Socks AND Twinkle’s Big City Knits. A girl can’t ever have too many sock-knitting patterns to chose from. (Or, uhm… that’s my opinion anyway.) And I was just looking at the Twinkle’s Big City Knits book at Books-A-Million the other day and I was so tempted to buy it… there’s so many lovely things in there that I want to knit for myself SO badly. So now hopefully I can start on that after I get my Christmas knitting done.

OH! I just remembered: my LYS just got in this Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca Grande in stock that is… well it’s the most incredibly soft stuff ever. And I’m betting it would be perfect for things in that book. Oh man… heavenly! I’m thinking birthday present to myself!! Hehe.

Here’s the start of sock club sock # 2. It’s the Oc-Toe-ber FiddleSticks Socks by Deby Lake. The yarn is TOFUtsies in an exclusive colorway for sock clubs. Fun!I got through knitting a few rows of the cuff. Those first few rows are always the most difficult!

I’ve read a lot of complaints about TOFUtsies being very splitty. I had a lot of trouble with that the first few rows, but once I got going I didn’t find it to be a problem really.

Anyway, I’m off to get ready for tomorrow at work. I feel SO behind. (Sleeping half the day away in a dark room, trying to shake a headache will do that to you.) Hopefully I can ease back into the work week, and the Thanksgiving holiday is right around the corner. Yay!

It arrived in the mail today along with three Ravelry buttons: a “Hello my name is” button with a Ravelry logo (with space to write in my Ravelry username), one that says “Where my stitches at?” (same as the t-shirt), and one that says “A daily dose of fiber”. How cute!

For anyone not yet on Ravelry — what are you waiting for!? Honestly, I completely marvel at the fact that it was completely designed by one programmer. The site is so feature-packed and I have yet to hit any glitches on it. I really admire what they’ve done with it and I can’t wait to see where it goes over the next few months.

Anyway…

What I actually wanted to post about today are Lantern Moon’s Sox Stix. They’re my new love.

Sox Stix come in sets of 5 double-pointed needles in an organza bag. They’re available in sizes 0 through 5 and in three materials: blondewood, rosewood, and ebony. Aside from the lovely feel of the wood, what makes these DPNs special is that they’re only 5″ long, making them much easier to navigate when knitting small socks.

The downside is the pricetag. The price ranges with the material, blondewood being the least expensive at $22.25 and ebony being the most pricey at $24.50. So unless you have an unlimited knitting budget, this is probably going to be a special treat. However, if you’re an avid sock-knitter, it’s easy to justify at least one set in your most commonly used size. With the lovely organza bag, they also make a very pretty gift for a fellow-knitter (especially with the holidays upon us!).

I have purchased two sets (sizes 2 and 3) in the ebony and I absolutely adore them. They have just the right amount of slip and grip, and the ebony wood is very sturdy and doesn’t warp. I absolutely adore mine.