The Knitter and the Pea

The Second Third Time Around

I've calmed down from yesterday's mishap to try this again. I've had this post in my head since  Knit and Crochet Blog Week, but just never got around to it.

I'm Just "Tool" Sensitive

I love the entire process of knitting and crocheting--scouting for patterns, caressing yarn, being smoothed by the click of needles and the pull of the hook, and of course, showing off my creations.

I'm also a bit of a gadget girl.

Needles, hooks, gauges, bags, counters, boards, pads, pins, tape;  I'm all about a good notion. Like Alton Brown is to cooking, I am to my needlework. The tool must be right.

If it isn't quite right, I feel a bit like the hypersensitive heroine of The Princess and the Pea *(Please see the story at the end of the post), and get irritated and struggle. On the other hand, a  good accessory can make working on a project a joy forever.

There's nothing like the marriage of a good pattern, yarn, and accessories. I love it when it all comes together.

Hang 'Em High

When possible, I prefer to work with circular needles, and Addi Turbos have been favorites from the beginning. However, they can be a pain to organize and store, and I'm glad that I got The Circular Solution from Patternworks early in my knitting life.

When I need a needle, I can just grab and go.  Now if my straights and double points looked so good.

Measure It

I was so out of sorts when I misplaced my needle and hook gauge from Nancy's Knit Knacks that I went out and brought another one as soon as possible, only t0 find the first one. 

Bonus: I've got two.

I feel the same way about my Gauge Wizard ruler magnifier.  I haven't lost it, but I just want another one around, just in case.

Who says taking measurements have to be boring? Not my friend.

Dōmo arigatō, Mr. Roboto.

The Secret

You can never be too rich, thin, or have too many stitch markers. My Namaste Buddy is kinda sweet too.

The same goes for Chibis.  I had such a difficult time with keeping tapestry needles before.  Well, I still misplace Chibis, but they are so much easier to find than needles, and cuteness does count.

Fixer Upper

Another early in my knitting life purchase is my dentist tool from Patternworks. The small hook is wonderful for picking up dropped stitches and the pick has gotten me out of a lot of jams.

Again, I covet a second one.

Bag Lady

My array of knitting bags is best saved for a future post, but these Namaste Oh Snap! pouches are great! Easy to carry everything for an individual project and transport from bag to bag.  I like that I can see the contents of the bag and so does the TSA.

Cipering Along

I have plain, circular, kacha kacha, bracelet, and even electric row counters, and they all come in handy depending on the project, but here is my go to way to keep up with patterns.

Yes, the self-proclaimed "Gadget Girl" goes analog, but this works best for me...

It works even better if it is a Hello Kitty notebook.

Remember, cuteness counts.

*Patrick is very sensitive to even the smallest speck of dust in the bed, and I've spent too way many nights being woken up so that he can shake out of some near invisible force was irritating him. Thus, I dubbed him, "The Princess and the Pea" to quizzical glances.  This went on for years.  One day, we spoke about it and I told him the fairy tale, and I realized that he thought I was calling him "The Princess and the Pee" all these years.  

Glad we cleared that one up.

Ah, marriage.

Comments

[Daisy]

I definitely need to get a Chibi--I'm thinking orange. And some more tapestry needles. I only seem to have one left.

[Beverly]

Cute story.

Right there with you. I'm also a gadget and bag girl. I've got an assortment needles in dpn', circulars and straights and every now then I still don't have the size or length I'm looking for.

[Sus]

Girl, between the love of gadgets, 80's music, Alton Brown and Hello Kitty, I'm starting to think we were separated at birth! Hee!! :D This post is a super inspiration -- I may have to show off my gadget collection soon!!

[Lorette]

I'm a gadget girl too. I have a Namaste Buddy, but ended up using it for earrings for travel. I need to get another one. I have so many damn stitch markers that they are now organized by variety in little plastic boxes and tins.
Oh, and that dentist's tool gets my vote for best gadget ever. I use it all the time for fixing things. The pointy end is also helpful to keep your place when counting rows in a big project.