A visit from my secret groundhog pal

Even though yesterday's Groundhog Day party got canceled--and even though Phil says we've got six more weeks of winter--I still managed to have a great Groundhog Day.

Jan, Sylvia, and I went out to lunch with an old friend (whom we haven't seen in six years because he now lives in Yakima). When we returned, I checked our mailbox and found another gift from my secret pal. A beautiful card (with a woodcut that reminds me a lot of some of the woodcut art I've seen in Vermont and really adore) wished me a happy Groundhog Day. Accompanying it was a book that's been on my wish list for a long time (I think my secret pal is a mind reader!): Rowan Babies, by Kim Hargreaves. The designs in here are adorable--I am really looking forward to knitting them up!

Thank you, secret pal!

Circular knitting question!

Hi, everyone!

Looks like I am not going to make it to knitting tonight. It's just too nasty outside for me to make the trek.

But I do have a question that I hope one of you guys can help me with about circular knitting.

So I am knitting my second pair of socks. And I saw a pattern that I'd like to use on the leg part. However, the pattern is written for straight knitting, not knitting in rounds. I learned this the hard way by knitting a few rounds in this pattern and looking at the sock, then going "Um...no."

So, what can be done to adapt this pattern to function in the round as opposed to back & forth knitting?

With a number of stitches that is a variable of 2 +1 (so for my sock it would be either 53 or 55),

Row 1: K1 *YO, K2 repeat until end
Row 2: P1 *P3, PFSO (pass first stitch over) repeat until end
Row 3: *K2, YO repeat until last stitch, K1
Row 4: *P3, PFSO repeat until last stitch, P1

Would it work if I just knit wherever it calls for purl?

My knitting in 2008

I don't have any knitting resolutions, really. I have ideas about all sorts of projects I want to start (and, I hope, finish!), but I won't know until the last minute which ones will actually end up on my needles.

I do have two plans, though. One is to figure out what I do with the yarn described here. (Any suggestions? I'm thinking of making a sweater or a poncho for a 12" Waldorf doll.) The other is to knit a sweater for myself--a first!

Now I Have A Question

Ok, so we all know how yarn has different weights and what that means. For instance, worsted-weight is usually labeled a "4" on the package of yarn and usually requires sizes 6-7-8 needles, or thereabouts.

The Elmore-Pisgah webstore sells A LOT more than just Peaches N' Cream yarn. Some of the stuff is to DIE for! Seriously, check out the rayon chenille. DROOL. Anyway, they also sell some other types of cotton yarn, which I think is primarily used in crochet. But the weights are listed differently. So my question is what is a size 5 cotton (or size 10)? I think they get thinner as the numbers get higher. At least it looks that way. But they have a kit where you can knit a back scrubber and a washcloth using this "size 5" cotton (I WANT IT) ! But I just don't know what the deal is with that weight number. Anyone know what this means?

Thanks!

Peaches N' Cream

Hey folks:

Here is the online webstore for the Peaches N' Cream yarn:

http://www.elmore-pisgah.com/On%20Line%20Store.htm

If anyone is interested in placing an order, just let me know. Cones are only $6.64!! You can get a 4-pack of the balls (in one colorway) for just $5.08. Single balls are $1.50. Still cheaper than the stores, I think.

Also, here is the site that I mentioned that had a zillion Addi Turbo needle sizes and for cheaper than I've seen anywhere else. Also free shipping!

http://www.yarnandfiber.com/

Ha ha, I'm giving away all my knitting shopping secrets! You guys won't even need me anymore! (sniff, sniff)