Needles

A while ago a knit group, I had a conversation with one of the knitters about the importance of using the right needle for the yarn you are working with.  There are so many different types of yarn and needles out there and choosing the right ones for your project can make the difference between knitting in comfort or complete frustration. 

Knitting needles are the most important tool in my knitters arsenal. I was thinking about this the other day when I changed the type of needle I was using mid way through a project. I normally don't do this because it has the possibility of altering gauge, but in this case I really couldn't avoid it. I had been knitting along on a new sock design using Sanguine Gryphon Bugga and my trusted US 1 Harmony DPN's. My hands really started bothering me and continued to ache every time I worked on this project. Ive never had a problem with this yarn and I can't even count how many pairs of socks those Harmony's have made. This time it just felt like there was a lot of drag and my knitting wasn't smooth and rhythmic like it normally is. I tried the trick of rubbing wax paper on the needles which usually gets wooden needles slick. This time it didn't seem to make a difference. I wound up switching to my US 1 Signature Stiletto DPN's and no more hand pain.  Not only that, but I noticed that my knitting went a lot faster. 

I think of knitting needles as an investment.  Long after the first project I used them on they will still be with me knitting countless other projects. And just because one type of needle didn't work this time, it doesn't mean that it wont be perfect for the next project. 

I thought I would show a few of the DPN's that I use and talk about what I like about them:

Crystal Palace Bamboo
These are high quality bamboo and come with a super smooth finish. They glide nicely through knitting and have a more rounded tip than some other brands of needles. The bamboo will warm up in my hands and feels very comfortable. The rounded tips are nice for yarn that tends to be a bit splitty.

 

 

 

Knit Picks Harmony Wood

Made from laminated birch these have sharper points than the previous needles and a slightly smoother finish. They work well for projects with texture like lace and cables. The sharper points make it easier to pick up stitches.

 

 

 

 

HiyaHiya Stainless





Made from high quality stainless steel with a medium sharp tip. These needles are reasonably priced and preform like more expensive needles. They are smooth and surprisingly light weight. I like their tips and they are a good all around needle.

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature Needle Arts Stiletto Tip

If you are looking for the Mercedes of needles, then Signature is the way to go. They come in several different tip options and needle lengths. I really love the Stiletto tips, which makes them perfect for lacework. The body of the needles has a very slight texture to them - not enough to make them grabby on the yarn, but just enough to stop slick yarns like silk and cashmere from falling off the needles. The ends and tips are very smooth which makes knitting with a breeze.

 

 

 

When choosing needles it's best to pick what feels and works best for you. 

 

 

New sock: On Stranger Tides

Soon to Come!



 

 

Knit Along Time!

It's been a really exciting week here!  Erica asked me to hoast the first Knit Aong in the new Bare Naked Wools group on Ravelry.  We will be using my brand new Ribbon Street Cowl pattern along with Anne's new Breakfast Blend DK yarn.  It's really quite an honor to be be asked to do this and Ive been over the moon about it!  Erica, Barb, Anne Marie and myself will all be there if anyone has questions or needs help.  It's fun and easy pattern, perfect for knitting in the evening while relaxing or to take with you to knit group.


The Ribbon Street Cowl pattern is just $3.50 until the end of the month in my Ravelry shop. 

Ive already knit one up in Breakfast Blend DK.  It's in the Morning Smoke colorway.  Don't you just love this color?  Grays are my favorite!  Not to mention the fantastic blend of Merino and Alpaca that gives this yarn softness and fantastic squish factor!

 For an idea of what it would look like in other colorways, please see the pattern page on Ravelry.

The other thing that has made this a great week is that I finally got around to painting the shelves that Andy made for the dining room.  I honestly had gotten so burned out from our kitchen remodel that I just couldn't bring myself to paint these three simple shelves.  In all fairness, it did take most of a day to get them painted.  Now all that is left to do is to paint the bottom of the wall.  The current color really doesn't go well with the new cabinet color.  We are changing it to a warm shade of brown.  Oh and then Andy is buiding a new and larger pantry.  But, that's a story for another day!

 

Hope to see you in the Bare Naked Wools Ribbon Street Cowl KAL!

Speachless

"Liebster" is German, with the approximate translation of "favorite" or "dearest". The Liebster Award is a fun and friendly way to pay it forward to up and coming bloggers with less than 300 followers. There's no voting or judging; only appreciation and kindness. These bloggers deserve recognition for their wonderful blogs.  I was stunned and overwhelmed when my friend Tierney nominated me! I still don't have the words to fully express the emotion that I experienced when she emailed me. 

Since part of the rules on this are you can't tag the person who nominated you back, I would like to share a link to Tierney's fantasic blog: Silver Trumpet Style  Not only is she a dear friend, but she is a talented artist as well. Making everything from quilts for Project Linus, bags and mug matt's in her etsy shop, to wonderful hand knits for her family.  Not to mention she has been doing a wonderful job test knitting for me!  And is the reason that I started this bl

**Here are the details on receiving this award**

1. When you receive the award, and choose to accept it, you post 11 random facts about yourself and answer the 11 questions from the person who nominated you.
2. Pass the award on to 3-5 other bloggers (who have less than 300 followers) and let them know they've been nominated.
3. Create 11 questions for these 3-5 bloggers to answer.
4. Link them in your post.
No tag backs!

11 Random Things about myself:

1. My husband is my very best friend in the world.
2. Sometimes I tend to be a little too outspoken.
3. I will always stand up for a friend and am very loyal.
4. I can back up a trailer better than a lot of guys can! 
5. I love to paint, and enjoy changing the color of a room. 
6. I am a very fussy eater and turn my nose up at a lot of foods. 
7. I must have at least one cup of coffee in the morning to get the day started. 
8. Im not saying Im OCD with cleaning, but Im not saying Im not either...
9. I love horror movies, not the slasher type, but the really creepy ones. 
10. I am afraid of spiders, monkeys and clowns                  

11 questions my Liebster Nominator Tierney wants me to answer:

11 Questions for my three Award Nominees:

1. What are you too chicken to try?  I think that would be #2, no worms for me thank you.
2. Have you ever eaten a worm? No.
3. What's your preference: a real book or an e-book?  e-book, I don't like the feel of printed paper.
4. As a child, what was your favorite story? The Princess and the Pea
5. What's the last song you listened to? Not sure, I tend to tune things out.
6. If you could only eat one food for ever and ever, what would it be? Fried Scallops from the Yorktown Pub.
7. Where is your Mother's Mother originally from, and have you been there? Brooklyn, yes many years ago.
8. What's the best and worst thing about blogging? Best is getting to meet so many wonderful people.  There is a worst thing?  I haven't found anything yet!
9. What ritual do you turn to when you want to feel all cozy and relaxed? Cocoa, knitting, and cuddling under a blanket with Andy.
10. What 3 words best describe you? Loyal, friendly, creative.

Tierney forgot question 11 ;) 

11 Questions for my three Award Nominees:

1. What inspires you?
2. What is your favorite book?
3. Red or white wine?
4. Cake or pie? 
5. If you could go anywhere, where would that be? 
6. Do you like scary movies? 
7. What is the best advice someone has ever given you? 
8. What inspired you to start blogging?
9. Salty or sweet snacks?
10. What 3 words best describe you?

The Big Finale...I'm nominating these 3 extraordinary Blogs:

A Cultivated Nest I love her decorating ideas and money saving tips!

Doodles in String Beautiful patterns and knits.

Multiple Food Allergy Help My dear friend Jenny started this site to help parents of children with multiple food allergies.  There is a lot of information and great advice here.

Ribbon Street Cowl

Ive been having such fun designing!  I really enjoy seeing my ideas come to life and it pleases me to no end to see someone else knit something that Ive designed.  Back in the late 90's I had a small business designing and sewing custom riding clothes.  It was always a thrill to see someone wearing something I had sewn.  Making the change from designing sewn garments to knitted ones wasn't really that difficult.  There have been a few instances where Ive had to frog something to redesign it, but overall it's been a very smooth transition.

                                          Shown in Malabrigo Silky Wool Cape Cod


I'm so excited to announce the release of my new pattern, The Ribbon Street Cowl.  It's named after the street that my Grandmother lived on in NY when I was growing up.  It seemed like such a magical place when I went to visit her in the summers.  She would take me to Rath Park for swimming lessons.  Sometimes I would get to go to work with her for the day.  Her boss, Mr. Diabler, would always call me into his office to sit and chat for a while.  The best memories of my childhood are from the times I spent with my Grandmother.  She is even the person who taught me to knit.

The introductory price is just $3.50 until the end of February.  No coupon code needed.  You can find the pattern on Ravelry: Ribbon Street Cowl or by copying and pasting this link into your browser: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ribbon-street-cowl

I hope that you enjoy knitting this pattern as much as I have enjoyed writing it!

                                                   Shown in Shalimar Yarns Breathless DK Loden

                                    Shown in Knitspots Breakfast Blend DK Morning Smoke


And a big THANK YOU to Beth for test knitting once again!  Daisy makes a wonderful model, don't you think?