[ggmomliz]

For those who knit in the round in circular needles (NOT for Magic Loop), do you prefer to use a cable length that is just shorter than the circumference of your work or a lot shorter? I know it's a matter of personal preference, what makes me ask is that a test designer is requiring that we be able to create a needle that is 180" long for an adult dress, suggesting that testers purchase additional cables and connectors. While I could do that, I have absolutely no intention to. I prefer to use the shortest cable that will accommodate the stitches without forcing them off the tips so that the fabric pretty much pushes itself across the cable.
So what's your preference? As long as possible or as short as practical?

 

[ggmomliz]

I'd either do as I please or not do the test knit. I can't imagine using a needle of that length and if it's a non-negotiable requirement then the designer needs a wake up call. My response to your question is that if it works for you it's right and what difference does my preference make?

I can make 60" circs and sometimes do. They came in handy for two at a time slippers with lots of stitches worked along the length. They could be used for blocking in lieu of blocking wires and I'm considering putting them to that use on a shawl. I use them as stitch holders for trying on top down sweaters. They have their uses but not often for knitting

Your preference does not make a difference, I'm just curious. I have joined the test but will knit as I please, it's not like the length of the cable makes a difference to how the piece comes out.

 

[ggmomliz]

Bunched up, OR multiple circulars NOT joined, but used as one uses double pointed needles. That’s how I did this:

Ravelry: JessicaJean's Spider Möbius WRAP

www.ravelry.com

When I made a bed size single hexagon blanket I used a 48" circular for each side. I made sure that I had good tight caps on all the tips that weren't active and on those two when I put it down

 

[ggmomliz]

Don't know why the designer would be so bold as to specify the circular needle length you must use for a test knit. As long as the end result is what's expected per her pattern, then why should she care? It seems strange to me. Every knitter knits differently and has their particular preferences especially when it comes to needles. I don't like overly long cable needles and prefer the stitches a bit but not overly crowded on my circulars. I will even do Magic Loop on a 24" circular if that's all that's available to me. Often the size required is usually on one of my unfinished projects, lol!

I have no idea either but lately I've encountered more tests where the designer will specify so many things. It used to be that they would give suggestions but say, "or your preferred method" for cast on and bind off, except when a special one like I-cord or tubular was part of the design .I've even seen ones that want some to use circular needles and some to use dpns, there was one where the designer specified Magic Loop only.
If it doesn't make a difference to the final piece or checking the pattern for correctness why should they care?
On the other hand, I also test for some of the nicest designers who give a lot of leeway in the testing. That makes so much more sense since the more options you can display for a potential buyer the more patterns you will sell, IMHO.

 

[ggmomliz]

Photo?

Sorry, it was before digital and the piece was lost in a fire, along with a king size Cathedral Window quilt I stitched entirely by hand.

 

[ggmomliz]

I have no idea as she has not sent the pattern out yet. However, there is no way I would consider a 15 foot long cable under any circumstance. I did ask if it was a typo and she never replied. I'm currently doing an edging that has over 700 stitches and I'm using a 36" needle.

 

[ggmomliz]

I think some designers get nit-picky people in a MAL b/c some who join can be overly critical. Then designers get overly specific on things to avoid some of that. I can see that a test knit needs to be done in the round to replicate a larger project that is knit in the round, but other than explaining that doing so provides a truer insight than knitting flat which some who join may not realize, but it is up to the participants to deduct.

Most who have interchangeable sets have a decent range of cord lengths or perhaps want to expand options in their kits. Demanding is yet another thing.

Best, Elation

I have a sneaky feeling that this test may not come to pass at all. Six days ago I asked her a couple of questions but her response did not contain any answer, just a repeat of the information that was in the description. The first deadline, of the 8 three week deadlines, is tomorrow. I'm very tempted to not initiate another communication and if she happens to send out the initial portion just inform her that her lapse in communication led me to believe that she called off the test and I've made another commitment. This test is a floor length sundress and the only compensation is the pattern itself so the testers are doing her a favor by committing our time, IMHO.

 

[ggmomliz]

ADULT sized?! Sheesh!!!

Yes. A couple of years ago I did a test for an adult size, floor length, crochet caftan done in lace weight yarn. I loved it but GD appropriated it.

 

[ggmomliz]

Kids. The things we let them get away with even when they're grown. 🤣

Yep, she's wound up with a lot of things I made for myself. It's my own fault, I created a monster when she and her brother were little. I had what my daughter called the "Grandma's sweater club". From the time they were each about 3 or 4 I would show them patterns to pick their favorite as well as the yarn color. My nephew got added into the club and then my "I don't really wear sweaters" husband asked to join as well.

 

[ggmomliz]

I have to agree with you. I prefer to do ALL my knitting with 40" circs, no matter what the pattern says. I also use stitch markers (a lot!) to mark specific points along the row. It is MY knitting, after all!

I'm the opposite, I use as few stitch markers as possible, BOR and raglan placement and markers for future needs but almost never for repeats. On larger projects though, I frequently mark my first stitch of the day so that I can keep track of my daily progress.

 

[ggmomliz]

Free yarn, in my thinking, doesn’t count as adding to stash. I certainly don’t count what I inherited from a deceased knitting buddy. It’s there, and it does take up space, but I don’t consider it the same as yarn I actually paid for - secondhand or new.

The only time I can remember getting free yarn is when my MIL gave me some yarn and fabrics about 20+ years ago.
I know that I use more than I acquire because every time I put my leftovers away and redo my colors I'm able to consolidate bins.

 

[ggmomliz]

Once, I mentioned to a coworker that I was using leftover Phentex (extruded olefin fibre) to make a rug for my children’s room. I was inundated with everyone’s leftovers! Result: Ravelry: JessicaJean's Super Scrappy Rug ca. 1978

Another time, another mother was watching me knit/crochet while our children were taking swimming lessons. She asked me if I would be interested in some unwanted yarn she had. I was, and drove to her house. I hadn’t been expecting her ‘box’ to be the box her washing machine had come in!!! I was fixed for yarn for many months, after spending a full month sorting the tangled mass into individual balls.

Most recently, the daughter of a deceased knitting buddy asked if I would like to take any of her mother’s considerable stash, before she trashed it. I called another knitting buddy, and we loaded both our cars and a guy - friend of the daughter - loaded the rest into his van to bring to my house. I gave away a lot if it, but there’s a ton still to use.

I doubt I’ll ever run out of knittable fibres!

Oh my! Color me green with envy.