"Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit either." ~ Elizabeth Zimmerman

1/22/15

A Chinese Needle Review

I'm a member of a Facebook knitting group. A couple weeks ago one of the other members mentioned she'd bought a set of circular needles from an Ebay store based in China for a price that I couldn't believe. Folks asked her how the quality was and she said it was pretty good. They are very much like Chiaogoo needles. They had the same kind of cable on them.  My curiosity was peaked. I ended up buying some just to try them out.

First of all, the Ebay shop is Cherry's Store. There are quite a few different needle choices available, as well as crochet hooks and other knitting and crochet tools. I decided to purchase 2 of the set of 13 25"/65cm stainless steel circular needles.



The sizes are UK rather than US or European mm sizes. They range from UK size 6 to 18. In US sizes, that is between size 8 to size 00000. Prices are listed in Canadian and they were $5.69 CN per set. Shipping was free.  I paid $9.87 total in US dollars for the order. Needless to say, at those prices, my expectations were very low. I figured if I didn't like them I could probably donate them to a thrift store. The price was worth the learning experience.

I placed the order on Friday Jan. 9th. They were shipped from China within hours after I placed the order and arrived on Tuesday, Jan. 20th. Damn! That was quick!

And what a surprise! I LIKE them! Thirteen little packages in each of the two sets. They are made in  China and all the printing on the package is Chinese. I don't have a problem with that.



Each one came with a circular needle, a little plastic needle gauge, and a yarn needle! The last two items being a bonus I did not expect. The yarn needle is very nice. The hole is a good size, and the tip is sharper than you usually find, which comes in handy once in awhile.



The circular needles themselves seem to be very well made. Very smooth to the touch. No burrs on any of them. The points aren't real sharp, but they aren't real blunt either. Kind of a nice medium.



I took them to the Tuesday Rathdrum Knitalong group meeting and we all tried them out. The unanimous consensus is they knit very nicely!

The cables are actual steel cable with a transparent plastic coating on them (like the Chiaogoo red cables). The joins where cable meets needle are the smoothest I've ever seen! They are stable and strong too. There's a nice curve on the end of the needles so when you're knitting the stitches just slip on down. It also decreases the strain on that join so it will last longer. I found it much nicer to hold than the ones that are completely straight. With the 3 smallest sizes, one needs to be careful just because the needles are so thin. I pulled a little hard and managed to kink the cable on the size 00000 right at the join. I can straighten it out so no problem, but I will make sure not to do that again.



Now most knitters will not use the 5 smallest sizes (I will, but then I love knitting itty bitty stuff), but even with just 8 of them being usable, $4.94 a set is a darn good price for these needles! One of my friends pointed out the smallest size needles would be good for using as a life line, or holding stitches. (She logged on to Ebay before the end of the meeting and ordered herself a bunch.)

All in all, I am quite pleased with them and have ordered the 17" long set, as well as a package of 100 locking stitch markers in assorted colors, and a little tools kit that contains scissors, point protectors, stitch markers, tape measure, and whatnot in a little plastic case.

Cherry's Store has the stainless circular needles in 4 different lengths: 17, 25, 31, and 47 inches. Kind of odd measurements, but they work.

They also carry double pointed needles and straight needles of various lengths in steel, plastic, and bamboo, as well as circulars in bamboo. As I mentioned above, they have the locking stitch markers, and some other knitting notions. They have knitting looms, pompom makers, and tons of crochet hooks, and tons of other stuff (like clothing, toys, jewelry) too. I can't speak for the quality of anything but the stainless circular needles, so buy at your own risk.

Live long and prosper. \\//

1/12/15

New WIPs

I can't believe it's been over a week since my last post. Time is flying by. Before I know it, we'll be starting 2016! Urg. Anyway, I've got some new WIP's I've been working on lately.



You can see the heart pattern on these mittens now. One would think I'd be much further along since the last pic I posted, but you don't know how many times I've frogged to get to this point. It's been a challenging project, and I've learned quite a bit.

This is a pair of mens mittens for Knitwits.



I had quite a bit of yarn leftover from nephews Christmas gift, so I'm making good use of it.

I started a pair of socks today.



I'm teaching a sock class at the shop this month and decided to knit along with the student.

I actually did a bit of beading!



I got an idea for a Christmas ornament cover and am figuring it out.

Last weekend I worked on this.




It's a very roughly made pair of flat pumps for my Josephine Lammily. I found some tutorials on the internet and decided I would learn to make doll shoes so Josephine could have some dressier shoes. It took me 2 days to get a pattern figured out and then make the shoes. It still needs some tweaking, but I'm going the right direction.



The vinyl I used is a bit too thick, and the glue I had in the drawer is inadequate, so I'm gonna try again with something thinner and better glue. The folks at Joann's are fascinated by my attempts. I guess I'm the first person they've met to make doll shoes?

Besides the sock class, I'm teaching 2 beginning knitting classes at the shop this month, so I'm very busy. By the end of the month I'll probably have been to the shop so many times I'll feel like I'm living there. Heh heh!

The last WIP I've got is cross stitch.



I got out the snowman cross stitch and finished up snowman #10. I've started #11 too. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy counted cross stitch.

Live long and prosper. \\//

1/1/15

Celebrate!





HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wasn't sure I was going to be able to post this. It took a week to get the new hard drive working, but it's up and spinning now. Hooray! I've got just about all my software reinstalled (Can't get my Print Shop to install, sigh), so I should be good for awhile. Here's to new beginnings!!!

Live long and prosper. \\//

2015 Finished Knitting





Twig Brown Mens Slippers

Pattern: Family Foot-Warmer Slippers by Anne Baron Designs, made for Knitwits.
Size: Mens Large (10-12 inches)

Yarn: Northern Worsted by S.R. Kertzer (discontinued)
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Twiggy

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 10.5

Cast on: 
November 3, 2015
Completed: November 8, 2015


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Made with lace weight Elann Silken Kydd on size 3 needles using 1 strand. Size 8 silver line red seed beads are knit in the neck ruffle. Pattern is my own invention and not available.



Knit with 2 strands of Cascade Yarns Kid Seta in red which is a lace weight mohair, silk, and nylon blend. 

I used Cascade Yarns Kid Seta in Pewter for this one. I did the same lace pattern as the red one, and knit with 2 strands held together.


This one is knit holding 2 strands of the lace weight Elann Silken Kydd (mohair and silk blend) on size 3 needles.


Made with Lion Brand Vanna's Glamour sport weight yarn in Topaz Gold. It's an acrylic/polyester blend with a gold metallic thread.


I used size 5 needles with Cestari Ash Lawn Collection in natural white. This yarn is a cotton/wool blend. 


Size 5 needles and Ella Rae Classic Sport which is 100% wool in heather green.



Ella Rae Classic Sport, 100% wool, this time knitting with 2 strands held together, needle size 5. 




Size 5 needles and Lion Brand Vanna's Glamour in Platinum (2 strands held together). It's an acrylic/polyester blend with a silver metallic thread.

All completed in November


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Mens Mittens (for Knitwits #16)
Pattern: Little Brick Checks by me.
Size: Mens Medium
Yarn: Berroco Vintage

Content: 52% Acrylic/40% Wool/8% Nylon, worsted weight
Color: Pumpkin

Needles: Circulars 
size 5.

Cast on: 
October 8, 2015
Completed: November 3, 2015

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Little Brick Checks Mens Mittens (for Knitwits #15)

Pattern: 
Little Brick Checks by me.
Size: Mens Large

Yarn: 
PlymouthEncore Worsted Solids and Heathers
Content: 75% Acrylic/25% Wool, worsted weight
Color: 1444 Dark Brown Heath

Needles: Circulars 
size 5.

Cast on: August 9, 2015
Completed: October 8, 2015

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Pattern: Super Natural Stripes by Fawn Pea

Size: 0-6 months
Made for: Knitwits

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Capri Blue

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: 341 Light Grey

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: 312 Black

Needles: Circular Size 5 and 7

Cast on: September 21, 2015
Completed: September 29, 2015



Pattern: Magic Coffee Baby Hat by Tracey Kay

Size: 3-6 months
Made for: Knitwits

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Capri Blue

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: 312 Black

Needles: Circular Size 5 and 7

Cast on: October 20, 2015
Completed: October 27, 2015



Pattern: Seamless Garter Tassel Booties by Karen Strauss
Size:
 6 months
Made for:
 Knitwits

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Capri Blue

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: 312 Black

Needles: Circular Size 5

Cast on: September 29, 2015
Completed: October 28, 2015



Pattern: Double Crochet Edging

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Capri Blue

Yarn: Red Heart Supersaver
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: 312 Black

Hooks: Size C and G

Started: September 28, 2015
Finished: September 30, 2015


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Pattern: Super Natural Stripes by Fawn Pea

Size: 0-6 months
Made for: Knitwits

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: 282 Rust

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: 341 Light Grey

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: 312 Black

Needles: Circular Size 5 and 7

Cast on: September 2, 2015
Completed: September 10, 2015



Pattern: Magic Coffee Baby Hat by Tracey Kay

Size: 3-6 months
Made for: Knitwits

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: 282 Rust

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: 341 Light Grey

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: 312 Black

Needles: Circular Size 5 and 7

Cast on: September 18, 2015
Completed: September 18, 2015



Pattern: Seamless Garter Tassel Booties by Karen Strauss
Size: 6 months
Made for: Knitwits

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: 282 Rust

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: 312 Black

Needles: Circular Size 7

Cast on: September 15, 2015
Completed: September 18, 2015



Pattern: Double Crochet Edging

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: 282 Rust

Yarn: Red Heart Supersaver
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: 312 Black

Hooks: Size C and G

Started: September 8, 2015
Finished: September 9, 2015


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Baby Raglan Pullover

Pattern: From the Top Mock Turtleneck by Amy Thompson

Size: 3-6 months
Made for: Knitwits

Yarn: Pingoun Sport Crylor (discontinued decades ago)
Content: 90% Acrylic/10% Vinyon, Worsted Weight
Color: 56 Pale Green


Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Maize

Yarn: Red Heart Supersaver
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Black

Needles: Size 7

Cast on: August 5, 2015
Completed: August 18, 2015



Pattern: Magic Coffee Baby Hat by Tracey Kay

Size: 3-6 months
Made for: Knitwits

Yarn: Pingoun Sport Crylor (discontinued decades ago)
Content: 90% Acrylic/10% Vinyon, Worsted Weight
Color: 56 Pale Green

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Maize

Yarn: Red Heart Supersaver
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Black

Needles: Size 7 circulars

Cast on: August 20, 2015
Completed: August 23, 2015



Pattern: Seamless Garter Tassel Booties by Karen Strauss
Size: 3 months
Made for: Knitwits

Yarn: Pingoun Sport Crylor (discontinued decades ago)
Content: 90% Acrylic/10% Vinyon, Worsted Weight
Color: 56 Pale Green

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Maize

Yarn: Red Heart Supersaver
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Black

Needles: Size 7 circulars

Cast on: August 20, 2015
Completed: September 1, 2015



Pattern: Granny Square Edging

Yarn: Pingoun Sport Crylor (discontinued decades ago)
Content: 90% Acrylic/10% Vinyon, Worsted Weight
Color: 56 Pale Green

Yarn: Red Heart Supersaver
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Black

Hooks: Size C and G

Started:  August 13, 2015
Finished: August 23, 2015

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Baby Raglan Cardigan in Teal

Pattern: Little Coffee Bean Cardigan by Elizabeth Smith
Size: 6 months
Made for: Knitwits

Yarn: Caron One Pound
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Ocean

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Maize

Yarn: Red Heart Baby Love Solids
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: White

Needles: Size 7

Cast on: July 16, 2015
Completed: August 10, 2015



Pattern: Magic Coffee Baby Hat by Tracey Kay

Size: 3-6 months
Made for: Knitwits

Yarn: Caron One Pound
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Ocean

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Maize

Yarn: Red Heart Baby Love Solids
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: White

Needles: Size 7

Cast on: July 26, 2015
Completed: July 27, 2015



Pattern: Seamless Garter Tassel Booties by Karen Strauss
Size: 6 months
Made for: Knitwits

Yarn: Caron One Pound
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Ocean

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Maize

Yarn: Red Heart Baby Love Solids
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: White

Needles: Size 6

Cast on: July 30, 2015
Completed: August 4, 2015



Pattern: Shell edging

Yarn: Caron One Pound
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Ocean

Hooks: Size C and G

Started:  July 18, 2015
Finished: July 19, 2015

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Little Brick Checks Mens Mittens (for Knitwits #14)

Pattern: Little Brick Checks by me.
Size: Mens Large

Yarn: Plymouth Encore Colorspun Worsted
Content: 75% Acrylic/25% Wool, worsted weight
Color: 7596 Natural

Needles: Circulars size 5.

Cast on: June 25, 2015
Completed: August 7, 2015

~~~~~~~~~~






Baby Raglan Pullover

Pattern: From the Top Mock Turtleneck by Amy Thompson
Size: 3-6 months
Made for: Knitwits

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Maize

Yarn: Unknown
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Dark Teal

Needles: Size 7

Cast on: June 20, 2015
Completed: July 2, 2015



Pattern: Magic Coffee Baby Hat by Tracey Kay
Size: 3-6 months
Made for: Knitwits

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Maize

Yarn: Unknown
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Dark Teal

Needles: Size 7

Cast on: July 8, 2015
Completed: July 11, 2015



Pattern: Baby Booties by Bernat Design
Size: 3-6 months
Made for: Knitwits

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Maize

Yarn: Unknown
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Dark Teal

Needles: Size 7

Cast on: July 6, 2015
Completed: July 8, 2015



Pattern: Shell edging

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Maize

Hooks: Size C and G

Started:  July 11, 2015
Finished: July 15, 2015

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Polarized Hat in Navy and Maize

Pattern: Polarized Hat by Tanis Gray

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Navy Blue

Yarn: Red Heart Classic
Content: 100% Acrylic, Worsted Weight
Color: Maize

Needles: Size 9

Cast on: June 8, 2015
Completed: June 22, 2015

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Little Garter Checks in Blue Tweed (for Knitwits #12)

Pattern: Little Garter Checks by me.
Size: Mens Medium

Yarn: Plymouth Encore Tweed
Content: 75% Acrylic/22% Wool/3% Rayon, worsted weight
Color: Navy

Needles: Circulars size 5.

Cast on: May 19, 2015
Completed: May 27, 2015

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Little Brick Checks Mens Mittens (for Knitwits #13)

Pattern: Little Brick Checks by me (not available yet).
Size: Mens Medium

Yarn: Plymouth Encore Tweed
Content: 75% Acrylic/22% Wool/3% Rayon, worsted weight
Color: Brick

Needles: Circulars size 5.

Cast on: May 27, 2015
Completed: June 9, 2015

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Polarized Hat in Pink

Pattern: Polarized Hat by Tanis Gray

Yarn: Berroco Vintage
Content: 50% Acrylic/40% Wool/10% Nylon, Worsted Weight
Color: Sakura, Fondant

Needles: Size 9

Cast on: March 27, 2015
Completed: May 6, 2015

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Mens Mittens for KW #11

Pattern: In my head.
Size: Mans large

Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable Ombre
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Seaside

Needles: Circulars size 5.

Cast on: May 5, 2015
Completed: May 14, 2015

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Polarized Hat in Black and Pink

Pattern: Polarized Hat by Tanis Gray

Yarn: Berroco Vintage
Content: 50% Acrylic/40% Wool/10% Nylon, Worsted Weight
Color: Black, Fondant

Needles: Size 9

Cast on: May 12, 2015
Completed: May 17, 2015

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Little Garter Check Mens Mittens in Brown

Pattern: Little Garter Checks  by me for Knitwits.

Yarn: S.R. Kertzer Northern Worsted
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Twig

Needles: Circulars size 5.

Cast on: March 5, 2015
Completed: April 9, 2015

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Doll Hats


Both of these hats were finished the end of March. Made with 2 strands of black Queensland Collection Sugar Rush (100% Sugar fiber) yarn on size 5 needles.



~~~~~~~~~~


Hat for Judy

Pattern: Polarized Hat by Tanis Gray

Yarn: Berroco Vintage
Content: 50% Acrylic/40% Wool/10% Nylon
Color: 5180 Dried Plum

Yarn: Plymouth Encor
Content: 75% Acrylic/25% Woo;
Color: White

Needles: Size 9

Cast on: March 16, 2015
Completed: March 19, 2015

~~~~~~~~~~

Pug


Pug for Ellie

Pattern: Pug from Knit Your Own Dog by Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne.

Yarn: Lace weight Acrylic (Brand unknown)
Content: 100% Acrylic
Colors: Fawn and Black

Needles: Inox size 0000 double points

Cast on: June 11, 2014
Completed: March 9, 2015

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Bright Stripe Mens Mittens

Pattern: Seed Stitch Striped Mittens for Men by me for Knitwits.

Yarn: Plymouth Encore Worsted
Content: 75% Acrylic/25% Wool, worsted weight
Colors: Blue and Orange.

Needles: Addi Turbo Circulars size 5.

Cast on: December 31, 2014
Completed: February 12, 2015

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Lammily Outfit


Pattern: Knit Outfit for Josephine (Lammily) by Me. Not available. 
Yarn: Queensland Collection Sugar Rush
Content: 100% Sugar plant fiber
Color: Pink

Needles: Size 2

Cast on: December 27, 2014
Completed: February 1, 2015

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Assorted Doll Hats


I used size 5 needles with Cestari Ash Lawn Collection in lavender, pink, and aqua. This yarn is a cotton/wool blend. Pattern is by me. Not available.
Completed  in January 2015


Live long and prosper. \\//