Nothing says summer like wool socks
Thumper and I braved the heat today (Have I mentioned that we don’t like the heat?) to procure needles for the unruly stealth knitting project. I didn’t want to keep him out too long in the heat, so we stayed local, going to Stitch Therapy. I went there intending to buy two pairs of Addis for sleeves on two circs. They didn’t have Addis in the size I needed–they had Susan Bates metal circs or Clover bamboos. I already know that I hate the cables of those damn Clover needles with the heat of a thousand angry something or others (work with me here, I’m writing fast while I can grab a moment). I was wary of the Susan Bates needles because, well…they’re cheap. But I didn’t have much choice. I bought them.
What do you do when you go into a yarn shop intending to buy Addis ($$$) and leave having bought Susan Bates ($)? Spend the difference on sock yarn, of course.
Colinette Jitterbug in Cari colors. (I don’t know the number of the colorway because the price sticker was covering it and it tore when I took the sticker off.)
Anyone used this Jitterbug stuff yet? How did you like it?
As promised, the orange Trekking sock (colorway #145). (See, Claudia? I told you you need this stuff. It’s the ultimate Claudia sock yarn. I’m almost ashamed that I’m knitting them for myself and not you. Almost.)
Just a wee bit of sock so far, and it will have to be put aside now that the stealth sleeves are back in action. Which brings me to the Susan Bates needles. I was pleasantly surprised by how relaxed the cable is, but the joins? Damn, the joins are bad. The last couple stitches of each row snag on that join every time. Looks like I won’t be replacing my Addis anytime soon. At least not with these. I do want to give the KnitPicks Options needles a try, though. So next time I need a needle but can wait a few days for it, I’ll go the KnitPicks route.
And on the topic of socks, have you seen Cassie’s beautiful new pattern? Do go take a look.
I love my Knit Picks needles. I received the Options set for Christmas. They are wonderful. I bought the zero and one circs and intend to buy the two and three as well. The joins are great, cables flexible, and the tips have nice points. Besides, you don’t have to face the terrible heat when you order from home.
Posted by: Sarah
I’ve made one pair of socks out of Jitterbug. I absoolutely loved knitting with the yarn, but ran out of yarn before the toes. My feet are size 9 and I did a medium length leg (4″) and ran out. I know I could knit toe up and avoid this problem, but I’m still seriously peeved at the Jitterbug short skeins. I won’t be buying that yarn again until/unless they increase the yardage.
I do love that Trekking color and I am NOT an orange person. It’s so gorgeous.
Thank you for the sock pattern link. That’s definitely one I’ll be buying.
Posted by: Kathy
OMG, those are lovely orange socks. Orange is my favorite color, too. 😀
The options are insanely nice for being only 5 bucks a pop. I’ve got 2 sets of socks going right now, one pair on 2 addis, one pair on 2 options needles, and the options needles are just so… bendy!
Posted by: Christy
Hello! I just got all caught up with your last five (!) posts. I have a skein of Jitterbug, and I wish I’d bought two; I’m thinking of knitting something other than socks because my feet are long and the yardage is not.
Have you seen Jennie’s Jitterbug beret? http://twin-knit.com/2007/04/06/while-you-were-out/
Posted by: alison
I LOVE Jitterbug. I made my 2nd ever pair with the “velvet plum” colorway and they’re AWESOME. The soles felt a little & they pill at the achilles tendon, but they’re so soft & the stitch definition is awesome.
And the only needles I love more than the Addis are the knitpicks. smooth join, SUPER sharp tip, flexible cable with ZERO memory, slippery as all hell. great needles.
Posted by: jen
I have bought a skein of Jitterbug (Well, I got it with the gift certificate the nice people from Tennessee gave me as a thank you for taking them on an impromptu mini-yarn crawl. Boy were they nice – Malabrigo and Jitterbug for one little crawl), but I haven’t knitted it yet, as I am still Afraid Of Socks. Glad to know that I should a) make shortish socks out of it (I have little feet), and b) try the KnitPicks needles. I’ve been eyeing them for a while.
Oh, and a hearty, “That sucks!” about the buyer pulling out.
Posted by: Lizbon
I love Jitterbug! As a beginner knitter I stumbled across the yarn and it is lovely. I haven’t tried socks yet, but I’m currently knitting a scarf in Copperbeach and have a baby cardigan in Fire coming up!
Best,
Lotta in Sweden who found your blog while googeling “Clapotis” a few months ago.
Posted by: Lotta
I used Jitterbug Moss colour for my sockpal. I love that yarn. I wish it had more metres in the skein, but my pal has small feet, so had enough. You´ll see 🙂
Posted by: Eva
Heh. I have that yarn, bought it and thought of Claudia and … I think I enabled her into buying it, actually. They came out with another orange colorway too, more red-orange … not to tempt you or anything.
I have the Knitpicks needles. It took me a while to break down and buy them but I love them and haven’t regretted it a bit. If you want to try some, just yell. (You could have borrowed needles from me, you know.)
Posted by: Cassie
You could try coating the join with a thin layer of clear nail polish. I haven’t tried it on knitting needles so I can’t guarantee it will work, but I’ve used to smooth out other things.
Love the colour of that Trekking!
Posted by: Ella
I love the knitpicks options because the points are very sharp. Great for lace knitting. The cables are ultra flexible.
Sock knitting in the summer is the best. No heavy knitting sitting in your lap as you are working thru rows.
Posted by: Diane
I love my Knit Picks needles. I received the Options set for Christmas. They are wonderful. I bought the zero and one circs and intend to buy the two and three as well. The joins are great, cables flexible, and the tips have nice points. Besides, you don’t have to face the terrible heat when you order from home.
Posted by: Sarah
I’ve made one pair of socks out of Jitterbug. I absoolutely loved knitting with the yarn, but ran out of yarn before the toes. My feet are size 9 and I did a medium length leg (4″) and ran out. I know I could knit toe up and avoid this problem, but I’m still seriously peeved at the Jitterbug short skeins. I won’t be buying that yarn again until/unless they increase the yardage.
I do love that Trekking color and I am NOT an orange person. It’s so gorgeous.
Thank you for the sock pattern link. That’s definitely one I’ll be buying.
Posted by: Kathy
OMG, those are lovely orange socks. Orange is my favorite color, too. 😀
The options are insanely nice for being only 5 bucks a pop. I’ve got 2 sets of socks going right now, one pair on 2 addis, one pair on 2 options needles, and the options needles are just so… bendy!
Posted by: Christy
Hello! I just got all caught up with your last five (!) posts. I have a skein of Jitterbug, and I wish I’d bought two; I’m thinking of knitting something other than socks because my feet are long and the yardage is not.
Have you seen Jennie’s Jitterbug beret? http://twin-knit.com/2007/04/06/while-you-were-out/
Posted by: alison
I LOVE Jitterbug. I made my 2nd ever pair with the “velvet plum” colorway and they’re AWESOME. The soles felt a little & they pill at the achilles tendon, but they’re so soft & the stitch definition is awesome.
And the only needles I love more than the Addis are the knitpicks. smooth join, SUPER sharp tip, flexible cable with ZERO memory, slippery as all hell. great needles.
Posted by: jen
I have bought a skein of Jitterbug (Well, I got it with the gift certificate the nice people from Tennessee gave me as a thank you for taking them on an impromptu mini-yarn crawl. Boy were they nice – Malabrigo and Jitterbug for one little crawl), but I haven’t knitted it yet, as I am still Afraid Of Socks. Glad to know that I should a) make shortish socks out of it (I have little feet), and b) try the KnitPicks needles. I’ve been eyeing them for a while.
Oh, and a hearty, “That sucks!” about the buyer pulling out.
Posted by: Lizbon
I love Jitterbug! As a beginner knitter I stumbled across the yarn and it is lovely. I haven’t tried socks yet, but I’m currently knitting a scarf in Copperbeach and have a baby cardigan in Fire coming up!
Best,
Lotta in Sweden who found your blog while googeling “Clapotis” a few months ago.
Posted by: Lotta
I used Jitterbug Moss colour for my sockpal. I love that yarn. I wish it had more metres in the skein, but my pal has small feet, so had enough. You´ll see 🙂
Posted by: Eva
Heh. I have that yarn, bought it and thought of Claudia and … I think I enabled her into buying it, actually. They came out with another orange colorway too, more red-orange … not to tempt you or anything.
I have the Knitpicks needles. It took me a while to break down and buy them but I love them and haven’t regretted it a bit. If you want to try some, just yell. (You could have borrowed needles from me, you know.)
Posted by: Cassie
You could try coating the join with a thin layer of clear nail polish. I haven’t tried it on knitting needles so I can’t guarantee it will work, but I’ve used to smooth out other things.
Love the colour of that Trekking!
Posted by: Ella
I love the knitpicks options because the points are very sharp. Great for lace knitting. The cables are ultra flexible.
Sock knitting in the summer is the best. No heavy knitting sitting in your lap as you are working thru rows.
Posted by: Diane
I adore my Knitpicks needles! The packaging they came in is garbage, but the joins are nice and smooth, I haven’t had any problem with them coming unscrewed, the cables are extremely flexible, and the tips are more pointed than Addis. (Except maybe the new Addi lace needles–I haven’t tried them.) They do tend to be a little slick sometimes, but my only real complaint is that I’d like the size somehow marked on the needles, rather than having to take out the needle gauge all the time.
Posted by: Cathy
Your hatred burns with the fire of a thousand suns? Is that it?
Posted by: Kat
I haven’t tried Jitterbug yet, but I love, love, love my KnitPicks needlesQ They are very pointy, have excellent joins, and extremely flexible cables. I got the set at Christmas, and have added the smaller circulars since then. The only problem I’ve had (and I haven’t heard of anyone else having this problem) is the size 4 tips wouldn’t stay on the cables. The hole you screw the cable into on both tips was slightly too large for the cable, if that makes sense. I called KP and they promptly sent replacement tips. I also love excellent customer service; I just wish their shipping didn’t take so long.
Posted by: Penny
I made a pair of opera-length fingerless gloves (mittens? does it matter if they don’t have fingers? hmmm…) from Jitterbug for a dear friend. It was great yarn to knit, I had plenty left over (thinking about doing a fancy cuff on a pair of plain socks with it), and my friend loves the gloves. I’ll definitely get more, but based on the comments I think I’ll buy extra if I decide to make socks with it. Or plan to do contrasting toes/heels.
Good luck with the house selling!
Posted by: Liz
I’ve made two pairs out of Jitterbug and it is beautiful stuff to work with, however I found that the colors really run in the sink (be careful).
Posted by: Michelle
I just started my second pair of socks using Jitterbug (there are 4 other Jitterbug colorways marinating in the stash). Obviously I love this yarn. The yarn itself is a dream to knit with and the colors are amazing. I do think they need to up the yardage. I didn’t run out and even had a respectable amount leftover, but I made a shorter than normal sock for my size 8 feet.
Posted by: Kim
I heart the Jitterbug yarn. In fact, it may be my favorite sock yarn EVER!
Posted by: Rebecca
I’ve used the Clovers for years, but just switched to KnitPicks. I can’t believe I spent so many years struggling with those unruly cables! I LOVE my Options. I will say, though, that the join is a little rough. I think it’s the nature of interchangeable needles. Yesterday, in a fit of frustration, I bought an Addi circular to work on a lace shawl. I think I’m in love. My yarn shop didn’t have the new lace needles, so I had to go with the old Turbos, and the point could be sharper, but the join and the cable are marvelous! I’m guessing the Addi lace would be to die for. The lace-sized KnitPicks (not interchangeable)would probably also be great. What’s the limit on reasonableness for the needle stash?
Posted by: Suzanne V. (Yarnhog)
You NEED to order the knit picks options. They are the only needles that I used now and I LOVE them. I have some addi’s that I use when my options are busy, but I always go back to the options. Besides that, you can get the whole set of options for the price of two or three addi’s. Now that’s a bargain. And when you need extra tips in common sizes, they are inexpensive as well.
By the way, no affiliation with Knit Picks, just love their needles.
Posted by: Lynda
I have not used the Jitterbug, but after seeing those gorgeous reds, maybe I need to! (Like I need more sock yarn…) Love the Trekking, too.
So sorry to hear about the offer. That’s a total drag. I hope you get another soon!
Posted by: Amy
I finished a pair of Jitterbug socks in the Jay colorway just a couple of weeks ago. The yardage is a bit scanty, but I made mine with a 4 inch cuff and a 9 inch long foot, and had maybe enough left over to make a pair of small baby socks. I loved working with it – it was so freakin’ soft! Next time I’ll use reinforcing thread in the heel/toe – there’s no nylon in it, you know – but I knit them pretty tight, so I’m not too terribly worried about wear. We’ll see how long that lasts. Oh, and they feel yummy on the feet.
I’ll take a look when I go to work today (I work in a yarn shop) and see if I can figure out which colorway you’ve got.
Posted by: Crissy in Oregon
So you super secret knit has sleeves, hunh? I am teasing you of course. I love the orange Trekking!
Posted by: Knittripps
Just finished my first jitterbug sock (there’s a pic on my blog), and I really like it. I had no problem with the amount of yarn, but I made it toe-up just to be sure. Yours is beautiful!
Posted by: Silvia
I adore my Knitpicks needles! The packaging they came in is garbage, but the joins are nice and smooth, I haven’t had any problem with them coming unscrewed, the cables are extremely flexible, and the tips are more pointed than Addis. (Except maybe the new Addi lace needles–I haven’t tried them.) They do tend to be a little slick sometimes, but my only real complaint is that I’d like the size somehow marked on the needles, rather than having to take out the needle gauge all the time.
Posted by: Cathy
Your hatred burns with the fire of a thousand suns? Is that it?
Posted by: Kat
I haven’t tried Jitterbug yet, but I love, love, love my KnitPicks needlesQ They are very pointy, have excellent joins, and extremely flexible cables. I got the set at Christmas, and have added the smaller circulars since then. The only problem I’ve had (and I haven’t heard of anyone else having this problem) is the size 4 tips wouldn’t stay on the cables. The hole you screw the cable into on both tips was slightly too large for the cable, if that makes sense. I called KP and they promptly sent replacement tips. I also love excellent customer service; I just wish their shipping didn’t take so long.
Posted by: Penny
I made a pair of opera-length fingerless gloves (mittens? does it matter if they don’t have fingers? hmmm…) from Jitterbug for a dear friend. It was great yarn to knit, I had plenty left over (thinking about doing a fancy cuff on a pair of plain socks with it), and my friend loves the gloves. I’ll definitely get more, but based on the comments I think I’ll buy extra if I decide to make socks with it. Or plan to do contrasting toes/heels.
Good luck with the house selling!
Posted by: Liz
I’ve made two pairs out of Jitterbug and it is beautiful stuff to work with, however I found that the colors really run in the sink (be careful).
Posted by: Michelle
I just started my second pair of socks using Jitterbug (there are 4 other Jitterbug colorways marinating in the stash). Obviously I love this yarn. The yarn itself is a dream to knit with and the colors are amazing. I do think they need to up the yardage. I didn’t run out and even had a respectable amount leftover, but I made a shorter than normal sock for my size 8 feet.
Posted by: Kim
I heart the Jitterbug yarn. In fact, it may be my favorite sock yarn EVER!
Posted by: Rebecca
I’ve used the Clovers for years, but just switched to KnitPicks. I can’t believe I spent so many years struggling with those unruly cables! I LOVE my Options. I will say, though, that the join is a little rough. I think it’s the nature of interchangeable needles. Yesterday, in a fit of frustration, I bought an Addi circular to work on a lace shawl. I think I’m in love. My yarn shop didn’t have the new lace needles, so I had to go with the old Turbos, and the point could be sharper, but the join and the cable are marvelous! I’m guessing the Addi lace would be to die for. The lace-sized KnitPicks (not interchangeable)would probably also be great. What’s the limit on reasonableness for the needle stash?
Posted by: Suzanne V. (Yarnhog)
You NEED to order the knit picks options. They are the only needles that I used now and I LOVE them. I have some addi’s that I use when my options are busy, but I always go back to the options. Besides that, you can get the whole set of options for the price of two or three addi’s. Now that’s a bargain. And when you need extra tips in common sizes, they are inexpensive as well.
By the way, no affiliation with Knit Picks, just love their needles.
Posted by: Lynda
I have not used the Jitterbug, but after seeing those gorgeous reds, maybe I need to! (Like I need more sock yarn…) Love the Trekking, too.
So sorry to hear about the offer. That’s a total drag. I hope you get another soon!
Posted by: Amy
I finished a pair of Jitterbug socks in the Jay colorway just a couple of weeks ago. The yardage is a bit scanty, but I made mine with a 4 inch cuff and a 9 inch long foot, and had maybe enough left over to make a pair of small baby socks. I loved working with it – it was so freakin’ soft! Next time I’ll use reinforcing thread in the heel/toe – there’s no nylon in it, you know – but I knit them pretty tight, so I’m not too terribly worried about wear. We’ll see how long that lasts. Oh, and they feel yummy on the feet.
I’ll take a look when I go to work today (I work in a yarn shop) and see if I can figure out which colorway you’ve got.
Posted by: Crissy in Oregon
So you super secret knit has sleeves, hunh? I am teasing you of course. I love the orange Trekking!
Posted by: Knittripps
Just finished my first jitterbug sock (there’s a pic on my blog), and I really like it. I had no problem with the amount of yarn, but I made it toe-up just to be sure. Yours is beautiful!
Posted by: Silvia
I made pair of socks from the Jitterbug for my mom for Mother’s day. She has a size 10 narrow foot. I had about 2 inches of yarn left over when I finished the second sock. I used size 1 Addi Turbos (Magic Loop) with 64 stitches. I don’t remember the leg measurement exactly, but it was something like 6 inches. The yarn is awesome to knit with. Similar to Socks That Rock, but depending on how you knit your socks there is a chance that you could run out of yarn. Enjoy your new socks!
Posted by: kendall
I recently finished a pair of jitterbug socks for my husband who has size 11.5 feet. I did run out of yarn for the second toe, but just borrowed some from the cuff of the first sock. I have another skein for myself that I may knit toe up so I don’t have to worry about the length, but my feet are smaller than his. It was lovely to knit up, but I have no idea about the wearing yet. It’s too warm here to test them out.
Posted by: chrystie
A thousand angry spiders? Fire ants? Scotch bonnets?
Posted by: Patti
The trekking is beautiful! I haven;t seen the Jitterbug in any of my LYSs – I’ll look for it next time I’m out of town (vacation yarn shopping is way better than online yarn shopping).
I’ve been using some KP circs (not options, just traditional). I prefer them over Addis for their sharp points but the Addi cable is better. The KP join isn’t bad but the cable is thinner than an Addi.
Posted by: Elinor
Cassie totally made me buy that. Great minds think alike. 🙂
Posted by: claudia
I think I may have that exact same skein–I’d been dreaming of this colorway for months and finally found it while in Mpls a few months ago. The one I have–and it looks a lot like yours–Colinette Jitterbug in the “Fire’ color. Still in its beautiful wound ball, waiting to be made into Pomatomuses (sounds like Hippopatamuses). It looks so beautiful. I rec’d KP Options set for xmas and they’re great to have because you can always count on a circular in the size you need.
Posted by: k
The only needles I have ever loved more than my addis are my KnitPicks Options. They’re like addis with a better point. I think you’ll like them!
Posted by: Susan
I too cannot bear the heat here in nyc – so staying inside on a day like this is what I plan on doing!
Love Jitterbug yarn – have it in 118 Velvet Plum, got enough to make a shawl, since the wool content is 100% and, like Koigu, it would probably totally disintegrate on the balls of my feet. But decided on the Twist & Lace scarf from Lisa Souza and it’s working out fabulously – of course now that you mentioned it, I had to find it but have yet to find the pattern, which is small enough to be hiding somewhere in my pile of patterns…
stay as cool as you can –
Posted by: margaret
I made a pair of socks from the beautiful orange Trekking and love them. Orange looks horrible on me and nothing else in my entire house is orange (even though I like it). But that Trekking orange is fabulous and irresistable.
Posted by: Cate
I think I need to cast on a pair of socks. Feel my forehead, would ya? So sorry about the fallen-through house deal. Fingers crossed that a better one will come through on its heels.
Posted by: Norma
I made pair of socks from the Jitterbug for my mom for Mother’s day. She has a size 10 narrow foot. I had about 2 inches of yarn left over when I finished the second sock. I used size 1 Addi Turbos (Magic Loop) with 64 stitches. I don’t remember the leg measurement exactly, but it was something like 6 inches. The yarn is awesome to knit with. Similar to Socks That Rock, but depending on how you knit your socks there is a chance that you could run out of yarn. Enjoy your new socks!
Posted by: kendall
I recently finished a pair of jitterbug socks for my husband who has size 11.5 feet. I did run out of yarn for the second toe, but just borrowed some from the cuff of the first sock. I have another skein for myself that I may knit toe up so I don’t have to worry about the length, but my feet are smaller than his. It was lovely to knit up, but I have no idea about the wearing yet. It’s too warm here to test them out.
Posted by: chrystie
A thousand angry spiders? Fire ants? Scotch bonnets?
Posted by: Patti
The trekking is beautiful! I haven;t seen the Jitterbug in any of my LYSs – I’ll look for it next time I’m out of town (vacation yarn shopping is way better than online yarn shopping).
I’ve been using some KP circs (not options, just traditional). I prefer them over Addis for their sharp points but the Addi cable is better. The KP join isn’t bad but the cable is thinner than an Addi.
Posted by: Elinor
Cassie totally made me buy that. Great minds think alike. 🙂
Posted by: claudia
I think I may have that exact same skein–I’d been dreaming of this colorway for months and finally found it while in Mpls a few months ago. The one I have–and it looks a lot like yours–Colinette Jitterbug in the “Fire’ color. Still in its beautiful wound ball, waiting to be made into Pomatomuses (sounds like Hippopatamuses). It looks so beautiful. I rec’d KP Options set for xmas and they’re great to have because you can always count on a circular in the size you need.
Posted by: k
The only needles I have ever loved more than my addis are my KnitPicks Options. They’re like addis with a better point. I think you’ll like them!
Posted by: Susan
I too cannot bear the heat here in nyc – so staying inside on a day like this is what I plan on doing!
Love Jitterbug yarn – have it in 118 Velvet Plum, got enough to make a shawl, since the wool content is 100% and, like Koigu, it would probably totally disintegrate on the balls of my feet. But decided on the Twist & Lace scarf from Lisa Souza and it’s working out fabulously – of course now that you mentioned it, I had to find it but have yet to find the pattern, which is small enough to be hiding somewhere in my pile of patterns…
stay as cool as you can –
Posted by: margaret
I made a pair of socks from the beautiful orange Trekking and love them. Orange looks horrible on me and nothing else in my entire house is orange (even though I like it). But that Trekking orange is fabulous and irresistable.
Posted by: Cate
I think I need to cast on a pair of socks. Feel my forehead, would ya? So sorry about the fallen-through house deal. Fingers crossed that a better one will come through on its heels.
Posted by: Norma