Got Needles?

Here's a riddle for you -

How many knitting needles

does a knitter need?

In the beginning,

when you first learn to knit,

every new project seems to need

a different size (i.e. "new") needle.

So, you start to build a collection.

Of course, you have to try each and every

needle that comes along until you find

your favorite.

There are metal, aluminum, wood, bamboo, plastic, etc.

(I think I just read about glass needles.

Memo to me:

"Need to try those.")

Not to mention you can use

straight, circular or double points.

My "go to" needles are the ones in the

hanging organizer in the first two pictures.

The above are just a mixed assortment that I rarely use anymore.

Why not weed out a few and get rid of some?

No.

Just no.

I just do not part with knitting needles.



That's why I have such a massive collection.

I have accumulated these needles over

forty years of knitting.

I suppose that makes some of them true "vintage."

Of course, it wouldn't be much of a collection

without the double pointed needles.

It's hard to believe,

but these pictures don't even include the

numerous needles stashed around

in my knitting bag(s) with ongoing projects.

(Knitting bags are a whole other malady.)

Would you believe,

I still have occasions when I need to

buy another set of needles?

I know.  I have issues.

Don't even get me started on crochet hooks.

I know how to crochet,

but I am a knitter, not a crocheter.

That being said, every knitter worth her keep

needs a few crochet hooks in her bag too.

Let's just say I have a weakness.

What's yours?

New Needle Cases in a Pretty Blue Ikat Fabric

I have just listed this morning

a complete assortment of

knitting needle cases

in a fresh and pretty new Ikat fabric.

You'll also find a set of my

"Crochet Hooks for Knitters,"

in the same fabric.

This is a handy and pretty set

to add to your knitting bag.

Every knitter needs some crochet hooks!

(Drat those dropped stitches!!!)

Not a knitter?

I have also used the same new fabric

to make Accessory Bags.

These little zippered bags, with vinyl fronts

are handy for jewelry, make up, travel,

sewing and small knitting tools.

I'll bet you can find many more uses for them too!

Happy weekend everyone!

New Needle Cases!



Isn't this a fun fabric?

Recently while shopping for fabric to

recover a love seat in my living room,

I discovered it.

While not what I needed for my love seat,

I couldn't resist it.

Since then, I've been sewing Double Point Needle Cases,

Straight Needle Cases,

Circular Needle Cases, and

Crochet Hook Cases.

I've just listed them in my Etsy Shop.

As an aside, I also found just the fabric in which
I want to reupholster my love seat!

It got picked up on Saturday and I just

MIGHT have it back this Saturday!

I am SO happy to say goodbye to the...



...the brown love seat!

New Fabric

I've just added this fun fabric to my Etsy Shop.

It's from Robert Allen Home.

I'm going to be making needle cases

and lining bags with it.

I'll bet you could make something

pretty with it!

French Script Fabric

Google Images

Yes, it's everywhere.

And it's been around for quite a while now.

But I'm still loving it.

Google Images

Pillows are probably one of the most predominate uses for it.

Google Images

Even the humble burlap with some French words stamped upon it

is elevated to a higher level.

On a recent fabric buying trip I finally acquired some for myself.

This is from Waverly, called "Pen Pal."

It's a fairly large scale print on a mottled beige background.

There's even a touch of gold metallic for some glam,
(as if anything French needed more glam).

Yardage for sale is available at my etsy shop.

I will be using it for needle cases,

in a variety of styles.

Here's one for double point needles.

This is a hanging organizer for circular needles.

I'll also be lining an occasional bag with it.

Do you like French Script fabric?

Have you found any unique uses for it?

Bon Jour!

Something New for Your Knitting Bag!

Over the years, I have taught many people to knit.

One of the things I always tell new knitters is that...

...a crocheter doesn't need to know how to knit, but a knitter needs to know a little something about crocheting. There are places on a knitted piece, around the neck, cuffs, button edge, when a crocheted edging is just what's needed. And a knitter MUST have some crochet hooks in her bag for correcting mistakes and weaving up dropped stitches. I have carried Brittany Hooks in my bag for years. I particularly like them because they're pretty and feel good in my hands. Brittany Hooks are beautifully sculpted from sustainable, harvested birch. With all that in mind, I've selected an assortment of three sizes, "D", "F" and "H" for a range of possibilities, depending upon the size yarn being used. I've sewn an assortment of pretty, three pocket cases in designer fabrics with grosgrain ribbon ties and added them to my Etsy Shop. (You can find them under "Knitting Needle Cases") A perfect set of crochet hooks just for knitters! What could be more fun than fabric that looks like knitting?

If you don't see a fabric that suits you, please see my other needle cases.

I can sew you a case in many of the fabric choices on my site.

~~~~~

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

It's turned cool and cloudy here,

so I think I'll just sit and knit this weekend.

Perfection...

Animal Prints--Hear Me Roar!

Animal prints--like toile, they're a classic.

They never go out of style.

They go with anything you put with them.

Beautiful as they are,

the general consensus seems to be

"a little goes a long way."

You don't want to look like the beast is wearing you!

Aren't these chic?

I'm actually ready for bifocals, but there are so many cute readers available, I haven't taken the leap yet. I found these last year at TJ Maxx. Since I can never have too many (a pair in my purse, knitting bag, beside the bed, beside my reading chair, in the car, you get the picture), I can justify having all of them!

I found this fabric just before the holidays. Because of the hectic holiday pace, I had to put it away for a while. Last weekend, I got busy with it.

Just because one's a knitter, doesn't mean one has to be sedate!

Twelve pocket circular knitting needle case.

Here is the most beautiful example of animal print. And these spots are right where they should be and stay.

This week I'll be linking with

All Things Heart and Home

and

Savvy Southern Style

and

Cheap Chic Home

Images 1, 2, 3 and 8 are from Google Images.

Sewing for the Holiday Show

I've been busy sewing and getting ready for the upcoming Holiday Show.

All my bags are now completed and I've just listed a new one in my Etsy Shop.

This medium blue check Katherine Bag is made with a heavy outer upholstery fabric and lined with a French inspired yellow and blue paisley. Remember this fabric?

I bought it last summer, unsure where I would use it.

The bag has a handy inside pocket.

Closure is with a loop and button.



The outside fabric is a patchwork of blues with some browns added to the mix.




Close up of the lining fabric.

I've also made some matching needle cases.

This case has 15 pockets for 14 and 10 inch straight needles.

Here's a 12 pocket case for double point needles.

Today I'm pricing and tagging.
The Holiday Show gets nearer and nearer!

Let's Do a Little Organizing Today!

I've been at my machine this weekend sewing knitting needle cases for the Hillsborough Yarn Shop in Hillsborough, N.C. They've ordered a selection of

six and twelve pocket double point needle cases.

This is a wonderfully easy and pretty way to organize your knitting needles.

I also make twelve pocket cases for circular needles.
My motto is "Always have ALL your needles with you. You never know..."

I even do a small case for crochet hooks. Every knitter should always have a couple of crochet hooks in her bag for picking up dropped stitches and correcting mistakes.

My knitting needle cases are available at your local yarn shop
or at my Etsy Shop.

You can even get a matching knitting bag!

Now that we're all organized, let's knit!