Not so Magic Loop

2016 has been the summer of trying different sock techniques, after-thought heel, and now the magic loop method. Working at the yarn shop, I try to master and know as many knitting skills that I possibly can; I may not like all of them but I want to be able to use them and be able to explain the technique. In London I bought 80cm 2.25mm KnitPro Zings to try magic loop, I cast them on in Europe so that I had an easy sock to work on for that day of travel (all my other socks were at the heels or toes).

I used a Regia design line by Kaffe Fasset with random stripes (mine is the colorway Sizzle). I adore the color of this yarn! This screams hot tropical days, perfect to knit in the summer. I used my go to toe up sock pattern, Toe-Up Socks with a Difference by Wendy D. Johnson.

I didn't find using Magic Loop any easier or harder than double points or my 9 inch, but I wasn't able to get into a good rhythm. I didn't have any issues once I got past the cast-on, it wasn't any different technique wise than knitting on the 9 inch.

The socks ended up a smidgen loose in comparison to my other socks. I think this is due to the fact that US and MM don't exchange exactly, there is a degree of different between my US 1 and my 2.25 mm needles. I will wear my socks regardless, I just need to remember that I should be going down a half size when I buy needles in Europe.

Funny story, I had quite a few issues buying needles because I didn't know any of the mm sizes! I only knew US needles sizes, I always had to ask for a needle gauge because LYS workers in Europe didn't know the US sizes! I found it funny and frustrating so I am now learning the conversion, I don't want to have to scramble for what needle size I want to buy.