Tangy

Today has something of the flavour of Spring about it. The sun is out, there is little wind, and some actual warmth is detectable in the wan yellow rays. To be honest, thoughts have been turning to Spring for several days now – since I noticed the birds are more active and the ducks have begun to pair. Mr and Mrs Duck are back in the bog again this year. The geese seem to be massing too, the field adjacent to us was smothered in Greylags yesterday, though none are apparent today. They will not have gone yet. I imagine that after the snow and ice we have had recently the geese are a little on the skinny side – they will need some fat on them before they undertake their long journey. But one day I shall wake up and realise that it has been several days since I saw or heard a goose, and they will be gone, and summer will be coming. They always seem to simply vanish. I never seem to see them go.

Spring seems to be getting into my veins too. I have a definite unsettled air about me. I seem to be suffering a bout of planning and forward thinking… and ambition. In short, Niebling is in the air. Again. Maybe this time something will materialise.

I blame the Citron.

Let’s face it, every now and again a little idiot knitting is just what I need, but too much stocking stitch can drive a girl insane.

My version of the Citron would be almost complete, if I were knitting it as written. I’m 8 rows into 20 of the fifth (“final”) repeat, with the ruffle remaining. However, if you remember, I have 880 yards instead of 470. I made a spreadsheet which tells me that if I have 187% of the yarn requirements, I can achieve seven pattern repeats – with some extra length in the ruffle as well. That means that instead of being 60% done, I’m around 32% there – and already punch drunk with stocking stitch.

Is there any wonder that my thoughts keep turning to Lyra?

Some while ago I was discussing the idea of knitting doyleys rather than shawls – for practise and for economy. I’m still inclined in that direction but I am finding that I am blocked by my fear of crochet cotton. Is it just the “C” word that is doing it? No, I don’t think so – but I do have to admit to an amazing ignorance of crochet threads. I just do not  understand the sizings and don’t have a clue what to purchase – or, importantly, how much.

Can anybody help me out? I’m finding that the stuff I can buy is sized according to some different scheme to that used by the threads called for in patterns that I look at. Example: The Rose of England tablecloth that I would like to tackle, calls for “12 balls of Crochet Cotton No. 60, or 10 oz. of Linen thread No. 60.”

What is “No 60” ?

And what does this: “This is an 8 gauge cotton or 10/3cc” mean? I am sure that Texere mean to be helpful. It’s not their fault that I am a crochet dunce.

If I toddle off to KCG Trading, I find crochet thread in 5s, 8s, 10s etc. Is “60s” the same as “No. 60”? and what does this mean in terms of figuring out how heavy the thread is and suitable substitutions to make? How do I calculate yardage?

Then there is the whole minefield of the type of thread. What are Mercer, Aida, Lyric? How do I translate the “DMC Cordonnet Special Size 30″  required for Frosted Ferns into something I can actually buy in Kirkwall?

If I wanted to knit something with a silky feel and a definite gloss to the finshed article, what would I use?

Please – are you a crochet geek, dear reader? Can you help me?

Isn’t it hilarious how the “C” connection can make me panic and feel totally useless, even when I am planning a knitting project?

The Evenstar KAL begins on Friday. Perhaps that will answer my need for some twiddly bits and provide balance with the stocking stitch Citron. Perhaps I can stop my lusting after doyleys soon… *sigh*