The second Mingus sock is coming along swimmingly. The gussets are done, so is the first pattern repeat on the foot. The second repeat has begun. Fewer than 30 rows remain before I start the toe decreases. That’s all good.

The not so good part is Tilt. Remember how I got new needles to replace the cheap ones that were splintering? Well, the Knit Picks Harmony needles are giving me a totally different gauge than the bamboo of the same size. A much tighter gauge.

Check out the width of these two socks.

You can really see it when they’re piled one on top of the other. While the original one knit on the cheap, splintery bamboo needles fits perfectly, the second one knit on the Harmony needles barely goes over my heel.

What’s a knitter to do? You guessed it. Riiiip.

I haven’t ripped it out yet. I’m going to wait (probably) until the second Mingus is done, then rip it out, and restart the second sock on those bamboo needles.

Drat and double drat.

Have you received your summer Interweave Knits magazine yet? I got mine late last week. Though overall the designs are better than in the latest Knitter’s, there are still way too many horizontal stripes to my way of thinking. This is the main reason that I don’t like any of the patterns in the Sand and Sea group. Lots of stripes: Delft Tiles, Elinor Tunic, Drawstring Tunic. What’s with that bust-flattening geometric design going up the center of Imprint Tank? Even the Tapestry Skirt. I usually like knit skirts. They’re certainly fun to wear, feel good, but horizontal stripes? Around my butt? Uh, no thanks. Is it the skirt? The stripes? The white background she’s posed against in the large photo in the magazine? From the front it looks like she has no hips at all. Why would I want to hide my girly shape? If I ever knit it, it’d be all in one color. It’s more likely that I’d simply knit a completely different pattern. But I like her shoes. Where can I get those pumps?

Though there aren’t any stripes in the Summer Greenery group the only sweater I like is the Brick Pullover. I’d knit it without that slit in the front, though. Either that, or make a proper Henley out of the neckline, and put in a button placket. The Wallace Cardigan leaves me cold. Gathered shoulders? Gathered sleeves? Please tell me this style isn’t returning. Ugh. The Folded Cowl Tee has nice details near the hems, but that’s it.

Next up: the Kaleidoscope group. Well. Hm. I like the basic design of Roped Shell, the cover design, the stripes are broken up a bit with some horizontal bars, but still… If I knit it I’d either knit it in a solid (more likely) or in two shades of the same color. But I doubt I’ll knit it at all. I like the cable hems, cable straps, but the straps are too thin to hide bra straps. That won’t do. I like the idea behind the Windowpane Socks, but I want to see a better picture of them. Close up. The other designs in this group? I’ll be nice and just not mention them.

The last group is In Green Lace. I find the Eyelet Surplice Dress a little boring. Same with the Gossamer Stars Scarf. I guess the Leaf Kimono Top is okay. Huh. The Après Surf Hoodie would be better if it wasn’t a hoodie. Just don’t see the reason for a lace hood. Doesn’t it defeat the purpose? My favorite in the whole issue is the Wakame Lace Tunic. I like how the leaf motif is repeated in different directions in different parts of the tunic. I think it’d be better with a V neck, though. Something to give the wearer a little shape. Even here, horizontal stripes around the hips. Why? I don’t get it. But then, I never claimed to be a fashion maven.