Choose, Matey, Or It's Walkin' The Plank!

Straight vs. Circular...

Metal vs. Bamboo...

Knitpicks vs. Addi...

Personally, I prefer Circular, Metal, and Knitpicks, but, frankly, I'm always puzzled by the people who say "I ONLY knit using X." How can they say that? I find that it depends on what I'm making and what yarn I'm using. And WHY, pray tell, would I want to choose only ONE type of needle when I can have all the needles in all the land! ARRRRR!

What brought this on? I just finished a shawl using size 13 Clover circulars. And now I've gone back to knitting on my cousin's pink ruffle scarf on size 6 Knitpicks options metal circulars. I had forgotten how much I love the Knitpicks Options needles. Don't get me wrong. I started on the Clovers and for anything slippery, they're the first thing I reach for. But the Options...Oh, my, the Options.

They're smoother, faster, pointer, and bendier. The cable join is smoother, the finish is slicker than the Addis, and the point can put an eye out if you're not careful. I really, REALLY need to purchase more of these.

I know a lot of it is going from a large project with bumpy yarn on huge needles to something small with alpaca and smaller needles, but these needles just feel great. Has anyone tried the Harmony needles yet? I've got a few of the tips in my shopping cart waiting for payday.

On to other things...

Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. So be sure to say an Argh, Matey, and perhaps a Shiver Me Timbers today and confuse the heck out of your friends and coworkers.

My most exciting news so far? I'm on the Yarn Harlot's blog!!!! OMG!!!! It was a thrill enough when I met her and introduced myself and she said "Oh, I know who you are!" And I know it was the sock that did it. LOLOL But still...I'm there! And I'm about 2 seconds away from turning into FanGrrl. Somebody stop me. *ahem* Moving on.

I've ordered the pattern for Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket. Does anyone out there have any suggestions for yarns? I want something superwash, as both parents work and they don't need to be worrying about handwashing anything. Too bad Noro doesn't do superwash. That would be perfect.

My mom is going to England in a few weeks. She's visiting cousins of mine. The cousin I'm related to, Jeanne, is a knitter and my family is from a part of England where all the woolen mills were. Unfortunately, I can't make it this trip, but Jeanne and my mom said they'd go shopping for me. When I told them I didn't want to load down my mom's suitcase, Jeanne replied with "Don't worry. I'll ship it."

This is going to be so bad. LOLOL.

Jeanne sent me the link to a store and asked me to let her know "how I get on" there. Oh, my. My, my, my. I think I'll get on just fine! I've been trying to figure out what to get, and here's what I decided. Nothing commercial.

I see all the name brand yarns, and if there's something REALLY spectacular, my mom will grab it for me. Between Jeanne knowing how something would knit up, and my mom knowing my tastes, I'm in good hands there. But if they're going to the actual mills, I'd much rather have the raw yarn. I'd rather have the natural, undyed yarn that comes on cones. That way I can experiment with dying all on my own and truly have one-of-a-kind yarn. Bought where my family is from, by my cousin and mother, and dyed by me. Trully a family project. Plus all the commercial yarns will be very similar to what's already available here.

Although if some Cashmere or Silk were to fall into someone's suitcase I wouldn't object.

Just sayin'.

Lynda the Guppy

aka The Fish With Sticks