Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport - pool or spiral?

There's been a lot of questions out there about Lorna's Laces yarn. Does it pool? Does it spiral? I'm using Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport for my Sockapalooza 4 socks. It's my first time using a Lorna's Laces yarn. My swatch was done in plain stockinette in the round with 40 sts on size 1s. It pooled so much when the swatch was folded in half each side appeared to be done out of a different yarn. But I decided to go ahead with it anyway since my sock would not be done in plain stockinette. I also knew that the number of stitches and the stitch pattern chosen along with the length of the color repeat in the yarn all affect the final outcome.

I'm working with 72 sts on size 1 needles using the Broad Spiral Ribbing from More Sensational Knitted Socks on the instep. The sole of course is done in plain stockinette. I'm working toe up, two at a time, using the Magic Loop technique. The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in Purple Iris. Below are pictures of the instep with the ribbing pattern and the sole. The sole isn't pooling but is repeating nicely though not what I would call striping or spiraling. The instep does has a somewhat stripy thing going on. I'm curious how things will change as I continue the increases for the gusset.

sole done in stockinette

instep done in the ribbing pattern

I guess the debate will continue. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Pligg is in

Blogger thought it could handle anything. Blogger thought that you could have a group blog with an unlimited number of members. Blogger thought it had seen everything. Blogger was wrong. It was knocked out by 1000+ knitters. Sock knitters to be exact. We're all participating in Sockapalooza 4. And we killed it. Technical knockout.

Pligg to the rescue. We're using Pligg now to handle our new blog. It's different. I don't always like different, but I'm learning to accept. I read most of my blogs with Google Reader and I don't think I can do this with Pligg.

And before I forget to tell you...I had picked out yarn and a pattern for my pal's socks. Well, I'm not happy. In fact, I said a few too many words I shouldn't repeat in public just knitting the toe of the toe up socks. You can't give a knitted gift with that kind of karma. So on to a new yarn with the same pattern.

Socks Toe Up, Two at a Time, Magic Loop

I'm taking a four session sock class at Heritage Spinning & Weaving taught by Deb Harowitz. It's toe up socks, two at a time, and using the magic loop technique (one really long circular). I'm using Cascade Cherub Kaleidoscope D.K. in colorway 1321. Instead of doing plain stockinette, I decided to do a waffle weave along the top of the foot. Once I finish the gusset and heel I can seamlessly continue it all the way around the leg of the sock.

The advantage of toe up socks is your sock ends when you run out of yarn. It could be ankle high, calf high, or knee high. By doing both socks at the same time, the 2nd sock is done a few minutes after the first. And you don't have to count the rows to make the socks match cause you're working them both at the same time. And you don't suffer from 2nd sock syndrome where you never get around to knitting the 2nd sock. Magic loop, what can I say. Knitters used to use 4 double pointed needles (dpns). Then there were 5 dpns, then 2 circulars, and now one really long circular to do the magic loop technique.

You should really try magic loop. It's good for any small circumference knitting in the round. Collars, cuffs, sleeves, socks....

My respirator has been unplugged

I have lost the battle in Sock Wars. I was taken out by assassin Mlle Udah who used a pair of pink and yellow socks to deal the fatal blow.

Socks of Doom - Part Deux

I received the unfinished socks from my target's target's target Robin, early last week. Early this morning, I finished the Socks of Doom. I was a few yards short of yarn to finish the toes so I searched my stash and came up with the yellow sock yarn I used for the toes. The socks are destined for Australia tomorrow morning on the way to work. I also picked up a Michigan magnet to include in the package. Now I just have to write a quick note and wrap it all up.

Round 2

Round 2 of Sock Wars has begun for me. I received the socks in the mail from Robin. She's my target's target's target. Robin hadn't gotten very far on her socks but I was easily able to pick up and continue knitting. Hopefully, I'll have a few days to work on them before a pair of deadly socks lands in my mailbox.

Sock Wars Update

My target sent me her mailing address. I sent her socks off on Tuesday morning on the way to work. Her death is imminent. My assassin is working on the socks which will mark my death.

Socks Wars Round 1

I have completed my socks. The next step is to mail them to my target. But alas, Yarn Monkey has still not gotten out all the dossiers. My target doesn't want to give up the mailing address. So I must wait for her to "play fair" or for Yarn Monkey to send my dossier. Hopefully, I'll be able to survive to knit another pair.

Sock Wars Update

The yarn, needle, and gauge requirements for Sock Wars was posted today. Another trip to the yarn store was necessary. Instead of your average sock yarn, DK weight is the name of the game. Yarnmonkey says she did this since a lot of newbies enlisted.

Here's a pic of the yarn I bought. It's Lola by Schaefer Yarn. It's a handpainted superwash merino wool. I hope the recipient likes the colors as much as I do. They're a little out there but I thought the bright colors would encourage me to knit faster.