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appology

Recently, I said some bad things about bamboo needles. I must apologize. The SPN bamboo that came in this morning had a nice finish on them. I cut them down, and trimmed them into nice 12.5" bamboo DPN. Then, I drilled out a knitting sheath to fit these US size 5 needles, and now I have a knitting system that will knit to Meg Swanson's gauge of 5 spi with worsted weight wool. Yes, I have Addi Turbo circulars in size 5, but a knitting sheath with long DPN gives me the leverage to knit faster with less stress on my hands and wrists.

One other thing, my knitting is more uniform and my tension is more consistent when I knit with a knitting sheath. It is counter intuitive that my hand-made needles with all their imperfections should allow me to knit better than I can knit with my perfect Addi Turbos. I am sure that there are knitters out there that produce better quality knitting without using a knitting sheath than I do using a knitting sheath, but using a knitting sheath allows me to produce a higher quality fabric. That is my observation on the swatches that I have knit on sizes 1 & 3 needles. I have not done comparisons on larger needles yet, although the gauge swatch that I did today on those new bamboo DPN looks pretty good.

I have seen some comments to the effect that some of the perfection of old knit objects is a result of them having been worn and washed so often. I suspect the use of knitting sheaths contributed to the perfection of those old knit objects.

Aaron

Reply to
<agres
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Well said Aaron.

Hugs & God bless, Dennis & Gail

Reply to
Spike Driver

Cut down to 12.5"? How long were they to begin with? What brand are they?

Neat!

I'm still hoping you'll produce a DVD demonstrating your discoveries. I'd buy a book too but a book plus a DVD would be even better; some things are best shown.

All factors combined, no doubt.

=Tamar

Reply to
Richard Eney

You could be right, Aaron. However, my mother didn't use a sheath, and her knitting was pretty well perfect.

Higs, Katherine

Reply to
Katherine

They were the 13 inch Takumi /Clover SPN that Joanne.com had on sale very cheap.

The finish was much better than the Takumi /Clover needles that I bought last summer (at a much higher price.)

: ) I can not tell a lie by omission either. I bought a bunch of the rosewood needles also. I ran speed tests on them and was disappointed at the variability of the Colonial brand rosewood needles. Oh well, the price was right. Rosewood needles work very well with a long knitting sheath tucked into or clipped onto the waistband on the right hand side of the body. The knitting sheath supports the needles up into an ergonomic work zone, allowing the right hand to flip yarn very fast. (Dennis: Wooden needles do not work with the spring action socket. Do not even think about it if you have a rosewood needle in your hand!) In fact, yesterday I was back in the workshop making steel and dogwood sock needles. Steel and dogwood remain my favorite materials for knitting needles.

Aaron

Reply to
<agres

Aaron, as with everything, YMMV. I personally can't stand using metal needles of any kind, not even the nice shiny Addi Turbos, mostly because I tend to drop stitches when using metal; the stitches just slide right off when I knit. The bamboo gives me the control I like.

You probably just found a bad set of bamboo needles a while back. I've thrown away brand-new bamboo circs when they didn't feel quite right, the tip wasn't finished well enough for me, the join wasn't as smooth as I like, you name it. When I find a set that works for me I'll use them until they fall apart (and in one case I did break a 3.75-mm needle while using it). The set I'm using for my Cardigan for Arwen is so old the size can't be read, and they've darkened from the dyes on some of the yarns. Still, they're good faithful needles :-)

On a semi-related topic, does anyone want/need a set of 8-inch size 3 Crystal Palace bamboo DPs? I bought them without checking to make sure they were the 6-inch length, and, well, the store won't take back needles. If I weren't going to use them for socks I'd keep them, but I like shorter needles for socks.

The Other Kim kimagreenfieldatyahoodotcom

Reply to
The Other Kim

Some of us have natural talent, the rest of us must seek tools to help us compensate. Your mother had talent or good training or more likely -- both.

I have neither training or talent. I must seek tools.

I have found some tools. Still, I may never produce the kind of fine knitting that my wife's mother produced with the cheapest of SPN and yarns from the local dime store. She got her patterns by going into shops and counting stitches and measuring garments with her fingers. That is real talent (or training.)

I do some things well, but for knitting, I must compensate. And, I must say that at this point, I have found tools that help me compensate better than most amateur knitters.

The only response that I want when people see my knitting is; "WOW!" I do not want to hear, " Did you knit that?" I want to hear, "How could anybody knit that?"

I am getting there.

Aar> > Recently,

Reply to
<agres

Thank Aaron for the extra info.

Are you still thinking of making a DVD of you knittin on the long steels? I would be more than willing to help out on the cost. Please let me know if you are still interested. I do not expect you to pick up the cost by your self.

Hugs & God bless, Dennis & Gail

Reply to
Spike Driver

Kim,

If you would send me an e-mail I will purchase them for what you paid for them. I use the long ones for fine stocking hats.

Hugs & God bless, Dennis & Gail

Reply to
Spike Driver

Email on its way.

The Other Kim kimagreenfieldatyahoodotcom

Reply to
The Other Kim

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