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New bag and Magic Loop Knitting

gregory's picture
Wed, 2007-01-31 18:23 — gregory

Well, I finally just broke down and bought the most expensive bag I could find. :-)

http://jordanapaige.com/messengerbag.html

I got that bag in the brown. Should be here in two weeks (ordered it from the LYS). I will let you all know how I like it when it arrives.

Also, I finished up my 3 session knitting class at my LYS. The last lesson we learned magic loop knitting:

http://www.az.com/~andrade/knit/mloop.html

I like the idea of not having to buy all different sizes of circular needles (especially after I bought that bag above!). However, I started my first real project using it (on 40" circulars) and am having trouble. I think I got one half of the knitting twisted and I don't know if there is a way to fix that outside of just ripping it all out. I also have a problem with how stiff the wire is between the needles, it really seems to bend and twist my work, and I don't need any help there. Any experienced magic-loop knitters here that might have a suggestion?

BTW, here is the hat I am doing, it's Ann Norling's Head Huggers:

http://store.valueweb.com/servlet/jeangood/Detail?no=288

Comments

Thu, 2007-02-01 07:46 — potterdc
potterdc's picture

I agree with what Mike says

I agree with what Mike says about straightening out the needles - in a pinch, you can also just run the cable under hot tap water, then pull, then repeat.

Nice bag! I DIDN'T get a bag for Christmas so the Best Beloved has given me permission to buy the bag of my choice and maybe I've just found it!

Jonathan in DC
waiting for snow

Thu, 2007-02-01 07:44 — MMario
MMario's picture

I tried magic loop and just

I tried magic loop and just couldn't get it to work comfortably for me. I prefer using two circs - or use a DPN to "short circuit" the circular. (you use a DPN to cut a chord across the circ - just knit the dpn onto a dpn when you reach it, then go back to knitting on the circ)

MMario - I don't live in the 21st Century - but I sometimes play a character who does.

Thu, 2007-02-01 03:41 — Elemmaciltur
Elemmaciltur's picture

I.Want.That.Bag..... ...but

I.Want.That.Bag.....

...but I don't have the quids. *drat!*

Thanks for adding an object to my covet central. :-p

BTW, straightening out the cables on your long circs...you can also try using a hairdryer, although I've never tried it before. (I always plunge it into hot water)....although I'm expecting my 100cm Addi Turbos to arrive either today or tomorrow...then I can try out MagicLoop, too! ;-)

Wed, 2007-01-31 21:26 — Luke

Please post your review of

Please post your review of the bag. I have been considering it for a long time.

Luke

Thu, 2007-02-01 00:11 — gregory
gregory's picture

I certainly will. I have

I certainly will.

I have been living out of a paper bag for a month now and am really looking forward to a real bag.

I may still not knit very well at all, but I am going to look good doing it!

--greg.

Wed, 2007-01-31 20:12 — MovinOn

Greg, in regards to new

Greg,
in regards to new circs:
Always a good idea to put on a saucepan of water to a low simmer and plunge your 'cable' (not the needles just the plastic cable) between the needles into it. Let it get hot for about 30-45 seconds. Pull out and stretch the cable taut for about a minute. I then run it under a cold tap. What you've done is realigned the molecules in the cable to be straight. Now the cable won't twist up on you. HTH!

~Mike in Tampa
आदि लक्ष्मी
Yahoo Id: stickywarp2001

Thu, 2007-02-01 00:10 — gregory
gregory's picture

Hey, great idea! I will

Hey, great idea!

I will try it out. I just ripped out the old stitches and cast on another 88. I have about 2 rounds on it now but it looks like it is twisted again. Who knows, maybe it is OK and I just think it looks twisted. Either way, if I rip out again, or finish it I will give the water thing a go.

Thanks again.
--greg.

Thu, 2007-02-01 10:58 — Bill
Bill's picture

I usually knit about three

I usually knit about three rows straight...before I join into a circle...it's much easier to avoid the twist that way....then I close the tiny gap with the beginning tail....