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Sock Stunt Knitting

If you haven't seen it already, be sure to check out Brian's (HRM Prince Entrelac) 24 March post on the Skacel blog. Brian cast on last year (see the 30 June 2009 post) and knit an entire week's worth of socks -- seven pairs, fourteen socks -- all at the same time on a long circular needle. You can check the 17 July 2009 post to see how he did it, and what special equipment/contraptions he needed to make it happen. At the end of March, Brian finished the task. His final post on the matter includes very nice pictures of all the socks.

Brian was out here last year for STITCHES South but, alas, won't be out here this year. I guess we'll have to congratulate him in person another time. I feel strongly that a stunt knit of this magnitude deserves a trophy, medal, or ribbon. Or maybe someone should send him bronzed socks?

I must admit I almost sprang for one of those special 120-inch long needles, but I don't need it in the sock size so much as in a sweater size. Specifically, I'd like to knit a labyrinth sweater large enough for me to wear, but I fear I need a fifteen- or even twenty-foot needle to do it. Please note that Skacel carries needles in the metric sizes, but they are marked in the English system for sale in the United States. This means that you can get the in-between sock needle sizes if you like the quarter millimeter increments. The Whole Nine Yarns recently acquired a 2.25mm Addi Turbo in the 60-inch length at my request. I believe TWNY may be ordering 7mm needles/US size 10.75 soon at well. Most friendly local yarn shops are happy to order whatever you need as long as you don't mind waiting for the order to arrive. Review your future knitting queue and plot your needle acquisition strategy accordingly. Or do as I do, and just buy one of everything in the 60-inch length.

Comments

Linda said…
A friend of mine knitted a Labyrinth sweater (her own design) last year on size 1 needles. She used 3 (I think) 60 inch needles to fit all of her stitches! It was an awesome accomplishment.
Jolie said…
I'm so glad to hear that someone else out there is willing to try it. It is certainly an unusual approach from Debbie New; but I found the small one to be an immensely satisfying project.