Christellization, Precipitation

If my habit of knitting on multiple dpns makes you queasy, you'll probably want to skip today's post.

I'm adding more needles to space the stitches out, two pattern repeats spread out over three dpns, for a total of twelve needles. In the photo, I had gotten through the first six repeats and had yet to knit the last two.

For the record, I do have and use circular knitting needles, mainly when I knit with sizes larger than this (US 0, 2.0 mm).
I have knitted with multiple dpns in sizes as large as US 8 (5.0 mm). No, I don't have a problem with the needles sliding out. But by US 8, the weight starts to bother my wrists.

Weight is not much of a problem with 2.0 mm needles. Needles and all, including the one I knit with, this is only up to 33 grams.

Although I don't feel any burning desire to convert the dpn-averse to dpn usage, here are some of the reasons I like using multiple double-points:

• It's easier for me to control the stitches. The stitches on one needle are snugged up under my hand, and I'm not stopping to herd more stitches on or off the business end of a circ.
  
  
• Each dpn gives me a natural stopping point when I have to jump up and do something else.
  
  
• I don't need stitch markers for the ends of pattern repeats - I usually just keep one per needle.
  
  
• I don't need multiple lengths of circular needles. I just add more dpns as I want them.
  
  
• They act as "strivers" - in bobbin lacemaking, a striver pin is a special pin that you put in, and then you strive to work a certain length of the lace beyond it. If I'm getting a bit tired of the pattern, I can say, "I'll just work four more needles."
  
  
• Paradoxically, more dpns seems to lead to less laddering at the needle junctions.

I'm out to Round 63 of 105, with 368 stitches in this round. I'm getting into the outer rounds where there is a lot more repetitive ground, easier to memorize and thus a little faster to knit without looking at the chart.

Precipitation-wise, we lucked out on the latest snowstorm. Most of it went to the east and south of us this time. I think I had my share of snow this winter - I was actually glad not to get more!