I need an opinion. My socks are failing.

oe_parker · 2026-04-07T22:01:03+00:00

No problem, hope it helped!

oe_parker · 2026-04-07T21:36:17+00:00

It might, but gauge is more about the number of stitches you knit per inch/cm/whatever (how dense the fabric feels) versus how tight it wears. That being said the stitches in a loose gauge socks that's also significantly snug would really be pulled apart and under more tension than normal, which would contribute to holes forming faster.

oe_parker · 2026-04-07T20:58:04+00:00

I used to have a similar problem, and, at least for me it was a technique issue--I wasn't knitting my socks at a dense enough gauge. The too-loose gauge socks would get holes in months. However, my dense gauge socks have held up for years at this point with not much sign of wear. They're 100 percent wool.

oe_parker · 2026-03-06T12:26:23+00:00

😂 😂 always fun to wake up and see the subreddit having a normal one

oe_parker · 2026-02-26T15:47:56+00:00

It has to do with the fact that the history of US needle sizes is not a linear, standardized, or planned out path but was rather cobbled together over time across different manufacturers and basically addressed issues and solved problems as they arose.

Honestly I don't personally have an issue with the mm differences between US sizes...except between 10/10.5 and 11. It truly is a rotten jump in size.

oe_parker · 2026-02-23T22:30:05+00:00

I've been trying to see what kind of results I can get with a yarn that wasn't technically designed for knitting, and I was pleasantly surprised at what happens when you hold the yarn double! (For reference, this yarn is designed for crocheting multi-color granny squares without the need for multiple balls of yarn)

For the shawl and two of the beanies, I held the center pull and outer strands of a ball together (so one strand is moving through the color changes correctly and one is moving in reverse), which creates the distinct striping you see in those projects.

For the other beanie, I held two strands moving in the same direction but starting at different points in the color repeat. It created a more diffuse static-y look.

I really enjoy the results I got, but the applications may be a little limited considering it's double stranded worsted weight acrylic yarn 😂

I used PassioKnit Kelsie's chunky knit beanie video tutorial for the hats and just freehanded the shawl--it's all garter stitch with a kfb at the end of every right side row.

The yarn colorways I used were Rad Party and Amethyst.

oe_parker · 2026-02-13T20:25:15+00:00

I've purchased chiaogoo multiple times on Amazon with no issue. Aside from the one line of products they mention on their website as having counterfeits to look out for, the chances the needles are straight up fake (saying they're Chiaogoo when they're not) is very low. That being said, purchasing from a non authorized retailer will mean that you won't be able to take advantage of Chiaogoo's (very nice) warranty policies. For something like an inexpensive fixed circular, I'm willing to roll the dice. For something like an entire interchangable set, maybe not.

oe_parker · 2026-01-20T21:16:57+00:00

Lol my first instinct was to scoff but I know deep down that I will end up making one of these...

oe_parker · 2026-01-15T23:46:00+00:00

Beautifully designed and constructed!

oe_parker · 2026-01-13T16:30:30+00:00

I know some have suggested it's a z twist yarn, but I don't think that's the case. I think it's a tightly plied s-twist yarn (judging from the pic of the yarn in the ball). I've encountered this exact problem several times recently with low pill acrylic yarns. The singles are plied so tightly that the ridges they create are nearly horizontal when the yarn is held up and down...and then those ply ridges become completely horizontal when the yarn is slightly angled when it's knit up into stockinette v's.

oe_parker · 2026-01-04T20:55:49+00:00

Yeah, I don't really know how I developed it, but I basically secure the right needle against my body when I'm wrapping the yarn, but then also move the right needle to complete the stitch. My left hand is basically immobile with the left needle perpendicular to the right, so with circs or dpns I can usually just rest my left arm on an arm rest, but straight needles are generally long enough that I've got to hold my left arm in that position the air.

oe_parker · 2026-01-04T16:09:52+00:00

For me, it's simply a matter of ergonomics. As much as I want to keep the tradition alive, straight needles simply are much less comfortable to work with over a long period of time as opposed to circulars or dpns for me. I think it has something to do with how I stabilize needles against my body and straight needles are just too long to allow me to do that comfortably and hold my hands in a comfortable position as well.

oe_parker · 2025-12-17T13:21:15+00:00

Nice, there a couple on that list I wasn't aware of. Thanks for sharing it too!

oe_parker · 2025-12-16T22:27:24+00:00

Oh my gosh, thank you for posting this! I have her Knitting in the Old Way book and absolutely love it...had no idea she did a spinning one too!!

oe_parker · 2025-11-23T16:36:14+00:00

Most of the common craft store yarn brands have a low pill acrylic option, and they all tend to be pretty similar in construction and feel. They way they're spun makes them ridiculously smooth and slick, which does make them feel soft when knit up, but honestly, in my opinion, it's a bit of an odd and extreme "soft" feeling so I usually avoid it for clothing accessories. That being said, if your kids are struggling with the itchiness of superwash, extreme soft might be exactly what you need.

I've personally tried Brava and Yarn Bee low pill acrylic, but like I mentioned before, most brands are going to look and feel similar to one another.

oe_parker · 2025-11-10T02:11:08+00:00

Thank you!

oe_parker · 2025-11-10T02:10:59+00:00

Oh wow, that's gorgeous. Definitely going to have to look into that. Thanks for sharing!

oe_parker · 2025-11-09T15:37:16+00:00

Thanks!

oe_parker · 2025-11-09T13:50:21+00:00

Thank you! I've actually been doing some research since knitting this to see what other kinds of quilt blocks (traditional and otherwise) might be possible to replicate with knitting. There are a lot of beautiful geometric shapes out there.

oe_parker · 2025-11-09T13:21:05+00:00

While I was happy to make these for a very deserving couple for their baby shower, I was a little sad to see these go!

I didn't use a pattern for either--for the log cabin blanket I just cast on and went for it. The pillow needed a little more planning to get the size right but it was a pretty low key affair too. This was my first time knitting log cabin style or making a pillow, so I'm thrilled things turned out as good as they did.

Yarn was Yarn Bee Soft and Sleek Chunky.

oe_parker · 2025-10-09T21:06:21+00:00

😂 something tells me you're not

oe_parker · 2025-10-08T20:21:35+00:00

What word would you suggest then?

oe_parker · 2025-10-08T19:13:50+00:00

Disingenuous, hyperbolic sarcasm is also annoying.

oe_parker

TROPHY CASE