I’m doing a double layer sweater, Lamb’s Pride worsted, with about a 44" circumference. That’s 222 stitches. On a 29" needle (size 2), it goes something like this: while fighting stitches straining to jump the needles like an ill-trained pit bull straining at its leash, I knit about an inch, then have to massage all the stitches around the entire circumference of the needle to gain enough slack to knit another inch; lather rinse repeat till I want to strangle myself and poke out both eyes at the same time (I’ve worked out how I can do this with a 29" circular).
I can’t for the life of me find a 40" or longer circular needle, size 2, online. Addis extra-longs are, I think, ~46", but I can’t find a local store that sells a wide enough selection to have the big length in the small size. Froogle is no help, and all the supply sites I can find will let you search for length, or for width, but not for both. (How ritawdit is that?)
Course, I don’t much like Addis; they dechrome on me. But my fave–the nylon one-piece-construction-type needles–seem to be off the market for the time being. Plus I’m not sure I ever saw one of those in extra long.
What are all the knitters’ favorite online sources of extreme knitting supplies? Or, heaven forbid, anyone know a Seattle store that sells a wide enough range of needles to have such a esoterica on the premises?
You’re knitting worsted on a size two needle?
Thinking that wood isn’t a tough enough material and you want to knit something stiffer? (oh, double layer. Concrete replacement.)
Still, do it on two circulars, 111 on each needle. Every few rows, or so, move the “edge” stitches so that you don’t end up with too much stretch in any one place. And, if you can manage to bend it, when you’re done, block.
Also, there are at least 8 pure knitting stores in Seattle alone - and only one that I would actively avoid. Most of them will special order anything.
Yeah, I use the double when I want weight and rigidity. Makes great hats; will hold any shape! Almost like knitting a thick felt, depending on the yarn. I usually do double in sport/fingering/sock-weight yarn, but I’m making kind of a jacket.
Yeah, I’d thought of that. I might end up having to do that. I have a couple of 16x2s, so maybe I’ll just make do.
Yeah, I’ve looked at the convenient ones. May have to seek further afield.
The longest I’ve found on Joann’s was about 36 inches or so, still too short for you.
I buy most of my yarn and tools online from elann.com. They have 40, and 47 inch Addi circs in sizes from 000 to 36. They have 60 inch in sizes 3 and up. They ship pretty quick, they are a Canadian company but all the stuff I receive from them ships out of Point Roberts, WA.
Thanks Corii. Ordered and winging. Maybe I’ll put this aside till then . . . I just realized I mathed wrong above; it’s actually 444 stitches on 29". I’m a bit worried that it’s having a bad effect; I’m stirring up fuzz with all the friction, having to massage it so forcefully around the needle. I’m doing some pretty intense color work, and I’m kind of “blurring” the colors.