I have both of the mitts going now, the second one is being worked on more to catch up to the first one, with the replacement needled. Here's the thing, I misremembered what size the needle was and got a US 2.5 (3 mm), I double checked and ... they're supposed to be a size 2. No wonder it was so tight initially! Well that and I was knitting entirely too tight.
I only have about an inch more to go on the second one to start the thumb gusset and be caught up with the first one. I think the thicker cable is also keeping the stitches a bit larger and looser. Yes, that is a 40 inch ChiaoGoo Red Lace needle, if I had paused just a half minute longer I would have gotten the next size up so I could fit both of them on the same needle. It's working out fine the way it is.
Now... me being impatient and frustrated because I almost ordered the wrong size needle AND it wasn't delivered when expected because ... lack of lighting at the gate. That's something else entirely. But I decided I needed to start another project ... yes... I know.
I have had about a dozen of these balls of Italian sock yarn for years. It was from a 'moving/consolidation' of a fellow knitter. This was years and years ago but those are all my colors for sure and snagged the entire bag. Not knowing..what to do with them. Then I started working the yarn and every project as abandoned and frogged. It is not soft yarn at all. It's machine washable supposedly but feels like some of the scratchiest wool from an old sweater. It must have been just my hands being extra dry the other day because it's not so bad today but still not as soft as Merino superwash.
I decided to start a pair of socks anyway but only work with it for an hour or so before my fingers start getting sore. The other thing is, it calls for size 3-4 needles and I do not have the right cables to go with that size. I did find a size 1 40" and thought, well it's going to be socks might as well be tight.
Yes indeed, they are a tight knit and I started with the 'Magic No Gauge' sock pattern but the increases were awful!
I had to double check the pattern but I was doing it right, double increases every other row but that is way too steep. It also started with only 16 stitches (eight on each needle) which makes for a very pointy toe.
When you have something that works, stick with it and don't try to improve on it. Of course because I'm knitting uber tight with smaller needles it rolls horridly and I also went for 68 stitches for final count instead of 64. The next step is, what stitch pattern to do for the foot and leg? I realized that the colors are reminiscent of water, and then thought of Pandora (Avatar) and now need to find something that works like a vine pattern or leaves or waves or something. Also hope I can change to a size 2 needle but will see what happens with that. I'm working about an inch more two more on the two just straight knit for strength in the toe while I research a possible lace pattern.
The Sheepicorn socks are also not abandoned, I work on those in the evening when I have my dark blue blanked on the bed and the lighting isn't as bright. It's been rainy and cloudy the last few days so only working on the darker colors when I'm at the desk with overhead lighting. Same with the Hiking Scarf because that is stupid simple but is getting long so I need room to sit up straight to work on it.
More updates when they happen of course, nothing too exciting going on while projects progress.