The results of the Name That Gizmo! Contest are officially in, aaand KnitPod is the winner. The knitter who submitted the name has asked to remain nameless, but will probably claim her two skeins of ShibuiKnits Sock next week.

And we here at the store want thank everyone who submitted a name or voted in the poll:

Thank you for participating!

Next, we have Susan, dyer of Abstract Fiber, and her first finished November sock (from the Sock Club, y'know):

Looking beautful. Maybe a bit sock-puppet-like, at the moment, but that was unavoidable.

Followed closely behind by my Malabrigo sock in progress:

(Can you totally tell 3M took this photo?)

In "Indiecita" on size 1 (2.25mm) DPNs. Yes, I know I tempt Fate by carrying my Lantern Moon needles in my bag. I guess I just like to live on the edge. The lace pattern on the instep is, for those of you who are not Shetland lace fans, the traditional Print O' The Wave pattern.

My take on the Malabrigo? So far I am loving it. My one slight complaint is that it can be splitty when doing a centered decrease (but only then). Otherwise? Major love. Huge. I am so glad I bought a ton of this when it came in. In fact, I might have to stash up some more...

Moving past my unhealthy stashing habits, I have been asked to remind all y'all about our Last-minute Gifts Knit-a-thon tomorrow (Saturday, December 13) from 6 pm - 12 am. Spend six hours at your (hopefully) favorite LYS with all your favorite knitterly friends, catching up on all those holiday projects that are slowly leading you towards a nervous breakdown.

And that is everything we (I and everyone I asked) can think of to blog about at the moment. If you've been in the store proper during the past week, you'll understand the slightly featherheaded (and belated) quality of this post. Until next time, have a great weekend!

True Plies: To The Point

The products up for review this week? Six different brands of DPNs used for sock knitting. Admittedly, Knit Purl doesn't carry most of these needles, but they all deserve to be reviewed just the same. The ones with asteriks* are brands we offer for sale. To keep this fair and unbiased, we'll look at each of these products in alphabetical order.

Brittany Birch 5" DPNs

I like these needles because they're made in California, using sustainably harvested Birch wood. They come in 3 lengths and a variety of sizes. For the purposes of this review, we're going to focus on the sock sizes (US 0 - 3). Personally, I don't use the smaller gauge Brittany needles for socks. I tend to knit tightly and worry incessantly about breaking them. But, I love the smoothness, softness, and ecological qualities of this product and use them for lace and baby garments instead. I must admit that the Brittany's are guaranteed, without exception, for 10 years. And have known more than one knitter to take advantage of their exchange policy. That said, Brittany DPNs can only be a good investment.

Clover Bamboo 5" DPNs

These needles are perfect for wooden needle enthusiasts. Smooth but not slick and incredibly durable (don't ask how I know this), these are great for beginning sock knitters and the more experienced who prefer to take things slowly. The type of bamboo the company uses tends to be very strong and withstands most attempts at bending or warping (you don't want to know how I know that either). Clover DPNs come in 2 different lengths, 5" and 7". For sock knitting, I prefer the shorter needles, but know of some sock knitters that like the longer needles. To each their own.

Crystal Palace Bamboo 6" DPNs*

Direct from the Japan, as well, these needles are tough but a little more springy than their Clover cousins. While Crystal Palace offers two DPN lengths, the 8" needles aren't feasible for sock knitting in my experience. Maybe Christmas stockings... Anyway, I really like the fact that these are slicker and have a more tapered point than the Clovers. I'd have to recommend these for intermediate sock knitters, just because of how slippery they can be.

Kinki Amibari Bamboo 6" DPNs

KA needles are different from the Crystal Palace and Clover lines. These are definitely my favorite bamboo needles of all time. But, be warned, they're very slick and incredibly pointy. I've gotten wounded from these things. They come in 3 lengths but, like the Crystal Palace DPNs, only one length (6") is useful to sock knitters. They're made from 3 select breeds of Japanese bamboo that don't have to be polished or varnished, and for good reason since varnish would probably slow these speed-demons down. My only complaint with them is how bendy these are and, for tight knitter, easy to permanently warp.

Knit Picks Nickel-plated 6" DPNs

Shiny and sharp. Specially designed for sock knitters at 6" long, these are niiice. There are 8" DPNs available, but only in larger gauges. Very much like a metal version of the KA's, these are great for speedy knitters who don't worry about dropping stitches. Still, I'd recommend a point protector for these, so they don't poke holes in your knitting bag!

Lantern Moon Sox Stix 5" DPNs*

Elegant and stylish, these are the luxury needles of the knitting world. Handmade by a Vietnamese co-op, using only the finest materials, Sox Stix are more than worth their elevated price. I've met many a knitter who has sworn off all other DPNs but their Lantern Moon beauties. The only concern I can relate is for tight knitters, these lovelies can and will snap. Luckily, Lantern Moon guarantees all their products and will exchange any faulty merchandise, free of charge. These needles will always be worthwhile, when one considers the quality and economic factors of the company that makes them.

As you can see, there are many, many options available to sock knitters. In fact, I only touched on the more common and popular needles intentionally. If I hadn't... well, just imagine how long this review would have been! Rest assured, each of these needles is a good buy and they will serve you well - so long as you take into consideration your wants and needs.

Happy knitting!

Next week?, I'll let you know how I'm liking a Very Special Yarn.

True Plies: From the Inside

Note to last column's readers: the needles I'm using are size US 1/ 2.5mm 6" DPNs (Knit Picks brand, actually). The yarn is fine but not too fine, I think, for socks and knits up comfortably at 8 sts/ inch like many other sock yarns.

True Plies: ShibuiKnits Sock

They say you should write what you know, and I do know about knitting socks (next week: the needles). I have knitted with this sock yarn almost incessantly, since we keep ShibuiKnits yarn in stock as much as we can. Who can resist? So, here it goes...
The specs? Well, I was amazed to find out earlier this week that the yarn base is NOT, in fact, Louet Gems. Yes, read that again. Despite having been told by many people that it was, it isn't. I was pleased to find out that the yarn is specially milled in Peru (ultra-fine merino superwash) and then hand-dyed in Peru (ETA: Silk Cloud and Silk Puff are dyed in the US). Wow, I knew I liked this stuff for a reason. Anyway, back to the yarn specs:

• Fiber: 100% superwash merino wool
  
• Skein weight: 1.75 oz / 50 g
  
• Yardage: 191 yd / 175 m
  
• Yarn weight: fingering weight
  
• Recommended gauge: 30 sts = 4"
  
• Recommended needle size: 2 (2.75 mm) (US)

Now, I don't agree with the recommended gauge or needle size - but I'm a sock freak who thinks sock yarn should always be knit tighter than what the ball-band calls for. Religiously, I aim for 8 sts and 12 rows/ inch with Sock on size US 1/ 2.5 mm needles.

It would probably take me hours to track down all the projects I've knit (or received) with ShibuiKnits Sock, so here's just a taste:

Jaywalkers knit with "Spectrum"

Baudelaire knit with "Orchid"

My most recent Sock FO was a pair of Autumnal Socks that I would wear everyday, if I could. I have a stash of this stuff that is slightly frightening and that demands attention frequently. It's nearly as bad as the Smooshy in that regard (but that's another post).

All in all, I have to recommend this stuff for quite a few reasons. It's:

1. Hand-dyed, in a world of machine-dyed yarns
2. Specially-milled and super-soft
3. Machine washable AND dryable (ask me how I know this)
4. Fantastic for colorwork
5. Doesn't have to be used for just socks, because it's 100% superwash merino wool with no nylon.
   

I have to admit that I was a bit annoyed about 6 months ago, as the demand for Sock exceeded production and I couldn't get certain favorite colors. Since they've fixed that problem now...the more Sock addicts in the world, the merrier.

And before you ask: yes, I do have a pair of ShibuiKnits socks in progress - my January Mystery Socks. Loving the Pagoda, which is odd for me since I tend to hate orange.

Next week: DPNs for socks.