Titanium!
I continue to struggle with finding time to blog or do much anything for myself really. Our days have been happy ones around here lately, and I really have very little to complain about - it's just that we're keeping busy with summery stuff and also that Sophie continues to play night owl. I think she's getting close to needing to give up naps, only she does really well with her nap and gets super-tired without one. But with her nap, she's been staying wide-awake till 10 p.m. or later, though we put her to bed at 8. But I'll just hang in there and it will get better soon, I'm sure.
In the mean time, I have the most awesome thing to tell you about. The knitters are going to be crazy-jealous, so brace yourselves. I mentioned my friend the machinist last week, and teased him about the titanium knitting needles he promised me months and months ago. What crazy timing, because yesterday Joe brought home a package that had arrived at his office - with a letter from our friend dated before my post and with a delicious one-of-a-kind gift inside.
Titanium knitting needles! They measure at about US size 8, and are about a foot long. Here's what our friend had to say:
"Sorry it took so long to make it happen, but I reckon the result is about as high zoot as you'll ever see...These are 6AL-Titanium throughout. Shafts 0.187" shrink-fitted (with liquid nitrogen!) Into holes bored to only 0.185".
If you break them, I'd love to hear how! The length might be too much, but the material is valuable so I did not want to waste what I got. Have fun!"
I don't really understand some of those terms, but they are super-neat, and as our friend went on to say that he's probably not going to make any more sets of these, they will likely remain unique. Thanks, D! Think of something hand-knit that you'd like to have and I'll do my best to fill an order - maybe a little dog sweater? (Joe's idea.)
Let's take some more looks. The tips are nicely shaped, with slightly sharp tips, but a smooth transition to the full diameter of the shaft.
The back ends have largish stops, but I love the shape - it's kind of mod looking!
I had to cast on something right away. I decided to use some of that handspun yarn from my first attempt - I had a pattern in mind, and while these are slightly smaller needles than what the pattern would have recommended, I knit loosely and I think they will work out just fine. I think I'll keep the identity of the project to myself for now - it's so silly and funny - feel free to guess.
The texture of these needles is a little different than any other that I've used so far. The polish is smooth to the touch, but as you pass the woolly stitches over it, you can feel the slight texture almost like you would feel with wood or bamboo needles - not like the uber-slickness of Addi Turbos. They are a bit on the heavy side - but the weight feels kind of good in the hands, and they are pretty well-balanced - more so than I would have expected with the large stopper ends.
The sheer novelty of these needles makes them an amazing tool to own, and the story behind them - coming from our friend, about whom I've already shared as much as I'm comfortable doing, makes them very special.
I hate to add anything else to this post because a) I hate to steal the limelight and b) how could anything I add top it? But who knows when I'll be able to come up for air again, so I'll go ahead and clear out the photo que.
Here's the current pair of mindless socks in progress. I'm past both heels, so I've got a nice supply of mindless knitting ahead of me for the home stretch of this pair. I really haven't spent much time on these as most of my meager free time in the house or yard has been going to the spinning or the diamond sweater project. Still, I've had a few minutes here and there riding in the car while Joe drives, or sitting with friends and chatting, when the spinning is just a little too distracting.
I did finally finish the anniversary socks for Joe, and he tried them on with his usual lackluster enthusiasm. They fit, he likes them, and will wear them when the weather is cold enough.
Really, he prefers electronic gifts over wooly ones, though. These are Dream in Color Smooshy yarn, knit on size 0000 Addi Turbos with the magic loop method. There is K2P2 ribbing up the instep and on through the cuffs, which finish in a 2X2 tubular sewn bind-off.
Oh, and we made some little masks over the weekend. Here's Sophie wearing a piggy one. Julie, per her usual, refused to be photographed.
Oink!
In the mean time, I have the most awesome thing to tell you about. The knitters are going to be crazy-jealous, so brace yourselves. I mentioned my friend the machinist last week, and teased him about the titanium knitting needles he promised me months and months ago. What crazy timing, because yesterday Joe brought home a package that had arrived at his office - with a letter from our friend dated before my post and with a delicious one-of-a-kind gift inside.
Titanium knitting needles! They measure at about US size 8, and are about a foot long. Here's what our friend had to say:
"Sorry it took so long to make it happen, but I reckon the result is about as high zoot as you'll ever see...These are 6AL-Titanium throughout. Shafts 0.187" shrink-fitted (with liquid nitrogen!) Into holes bored to only 0.185".
If you break them, I'd love to hear how! The length might be too much, but the material is valuable so I did not want to waste what I got. Have fun!"
I don't really understand some of those terms, but they are super-neat, and as our friend went on to say that he's probably not going to make any more sets of these, they will likely remain unique. Thanks, D! Think of something hand-knit that you'd like to have and I'll do my best to fill an order - maybe a little dog sweater? (Joe's idea.)
Let's take some more looks. The tips are nicely shaped, with slightly sharp tips, but a smooth transition to the full diameter of the shaft.
The back ends have largish stops, but I love the shape - it's kind of mod looking!
I had to cast on something right away. I decided to use some of that handspun yarn from my first attempt - I had a pattern in mind, and while these are slightly smaller needles than what the pattern would have recommended, I knit loosely and I think they will work out just fine. I think I'll keep the identity of the project to myself for now - it's so silly and funny - feel free to guess.
The texture of these needles is a little different than any other that I've used so far. The polish is smooth to the touch, but as you pass the woolly stitches over it, you can feel the slight texture almost like you would feel with wood or bamboo needles - not like the uber-slickness of Addi Turbos. They are a bit on the heavy side - but the weight feels kind of good in the hands, and they are pretty well-balanced - more so than I would have expected with the large stopper ends.
The sheer novelty of these needles makes them an amazing tool to own, and the story behind them - coming from our friend, about whom I've already shared as much as I'm comfortable doing, makes them very special.
I hate to add anything else to this post because a) I hate to steal the limelight and b) how could anything I add top it? But who knows when I'll be able to come up for air again, so I'll go ahead and clear out the photo que.
Here's the current pair of mindless socks in progress. I'm past both heels, so I've got a nice supply of mindless knitting ahead of me for the home stretch of this pair. I really haven't spent much time on these as most of my meager free time in the house or yard has been going to the spinning or the diamond sweater project. Still, I've had a few minutes here and there riding in the car while Joe drives, or sitting with friends and chatting, when the spinning is just a little too distracting.
I did finally finish the anniversary socks for Joe, and he tried them on with his usual lackluster enthusiasm. They fit, he likes them, and will wear them when the weather is cold enough.
Really, he prefers electronic gifts over wooly ones, though. These are Dream in Color Smooshy yarn, knit on size 0000 Addi Turbos with the magic loop method. There is K2P2 ribbing up the instep and on through the cuffs, which finish in a 2X2 tubular sewn bind-off.
Oh, and we made some little masks over the weekend. Here's Sophie wearing a piggy one. Julie, per her usual, refused to be photographed.
Oink!
posted by Shelly Kang at 2:37 PM
4 Comments:
Past 10 p.m.? OUCH! We haven't seen you in AGES! We have Thurs a.m. pegged for you and the girls! :)
Cool knitting needles. What a lovely gift. I like the socks too.
VERY cool needles. Do you think these will see heavy use, or will they be in a needle display somewhere in the house?
Jealous?!? Doesn't even begin to cover it... you're so lucky! Cool beyond belief.
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