WIPs and stuff

I'm behind on my blogging, so I'm just going to start with some WIPs.

I've been both inspired and overwhelmed by Stash and Burn's One Skein contest. I have so many ideas and I'm debating how to match them up with yarn. I started to cast on Calorimetry in Artful Yarns Fable, then decided the cotton silk blend was a) not stretchy enough for this pattern and b) too nice for a headband. So now I'm debating what do with the yarn and what to use for Calorimetry.

I went back and forth on the bits of Dancing Fibers Serendipity leftover from my Mardi Gras scarf. It ended up being itchier than expected, so I decided felting was the best choice. I finally settled on the basic potholder, thinking that there wasn't enough for a set of four coasters. I think I was wrong. I still have some yarn left.

I also had debates about my Bernat Galaxy, and finally decided to use one of the skeins for a simple garter stitch scarf to see how it knits up, then use the other skein for something more creative. It's nicer than I expected. Too bad it's discontinued. Actually, it's probably a good thing, because then I'd buy more, and then wonder what to do with it all over again.

Someone on Ravelry called the scarf she made out of it a Snot Scarf, and I'm trying not think of it that way. But in this colorway, it looks even more "snotty." What do you think?

The scarf was also a good chance to pull out the Knit Lite needles Mom and Dad gave me last Christmas.

Now I want to go to the movies and see how well they really work.It's not like you can see your entire project in the dark, but if it's the type of this that you can almost do by feel (like a garter stitch scarf,) you can manage in the dark. It's also good for novelty yarns, as a way to see through fuzzy yarn.

Needlemania from Across the Pond...

I stopped by Joann after work today, thinking a bout settling for the not quite perfect color of Lion Brand Wool Ease Chunky that I wrote about earlier. I noticed as soon as I walked in the door some coupons that would get me 50% off the yarn. So I decided to wait.

However, I did decide to take advantage of some clearance items, including several pairs of knitting needles.

You can keep your rosewoods. I love metal needles. Usually the Boye needles are just fine with me. I may splurge on some Addis every now again. (Although I wish I had waited to get Knit Picks Options rather than the
Boye Needlemaster set.)

At any rate, some of the Joann brand needles were marked down to 97 cents a pair ($1.97 for the US 35 pair.) I decided this was a great chance to fill in some gaps in my straight needle collection with these metal needles (coated in some sort of plastic, I believe.)

Boy did I fill in some gaps. The US 35's and the US 13's were nothing special. But look closely at these needles. I picked up a needles gauge, and discovered the 7 mm needles (the straight ones on the left) aren't equivalent to any US sizes (they are a size 2 UK). The dpns on the far right are size 7.5 mm, which once again is not on the US chart. (those are a UK size 1). And to be really confusing, the middle set of dpns are US 2.5 (3 mm). Is that a standard size?

What is with US sizes? There is a big jump between US 10 and US 11 (which explains why there are always US 10.5 needles out there.) Wouldn't just going by millimeters easier?

It reminds me of my sixth grade science class when the teacher asked us why America stuck with it's measurement system while the rest of the world went metric. People talked about how hard it is to convert. The teacher kept saying it was the same for the rest of the world, and they converted. The point is, there is no good answer. Which probably explains are knitting needles.

The cashier said I could use the needles for European patterns. Of course, my gauge is so screwy, They'll probably come n handy on American patterns. Besides, for 97 cents, it's worth it as a conversation piece.

Another update: I checked Ravelry. There are 1,721 people ahead of me know. Apparently, the folks at Ravelry are having a long night.