You guys are amazing. SO MANY wonderful floral and plant ideas – this is a blog post I’ll return to over and over again when I’m seeking ideas for botanical source inspirations!
I’m surprised that no one mentioned my own personal favorite – Mimosa!
I adore both the delicate, puff-like and brilliantly fragrant flower AND the drink. It makes me sad that it’s considered a ‘noxious weed’ here in MN (the plant, not the drink.)
There used to be a Mimosa tree in front of my apartment on W. 85th Street in NYC, the smell of those fluffy blossoms on a Spring evening was pure heaven!
The winner of Hunter’s wonderful book, The Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet
20 Patterns Inspired by Vintage Botanical Illustrations, entirely chosen at random, is Tina, of Peacefully Knitting dot Com.
Thank you to EVERYONE for your great comments!
BEAUTIFUL NEEDLE GIVEAWAY
And now for another giveaway (I’m going to have a TON of these over the next few weeks…)
Recently while I was at TNNA I had a chance to try a new type of knitting needle from Indian Lake Artisans, with an hexagonal shape.
I’ve used various square needles (I love how they sit in my hands and don’t turn around as I knit) but these hexagonal ones were new to me.
They were lovely – absolutely charming, rubbed to a beautiful, rich beeswaxy glow with adorable copper ornaments at the ends (hand made in Michigan.)
The first time I used these Indian Lake Artisans needles they felt oddly familiar, then I realized I was essentially holding an elegant version of my old Ticonderoga #2 yellow pencil.
Here’s a bit about the needles from Indian Lake Artisan’s website:
All of our knitting needles are handmade with great care and attention to detail. Each needle is sanded by hand and finished with natural beeswax that enhances the color and grain of the wood. The walnut, cherry and birch wood that we use is very light in weight and warm to the touch.
I was given a pair to give away, size 9 (5.5mm) 14″ carved in cherry wood and embellished with a wonderful pair of rowboats at the ends.
These can be yours (if you’re lucky AND you leave a comment!)
In the comments section of my blog, tell me what type of needles you generally like to use, or what type is difficult for you to use…
(Or some other pertinent bit of your own personal needle-related lore! Be creative!)
I’ll also throw in a ball of Valley Yarns 100% Wool Greenwich so the lucky winner will have something to put ON the needles. This is a GORGEOUS yarn, soft and lofty, in a steady, neutral dark tan that would make a great short collar, cowl or hat for a man or a woman.
Shipping Disclosure: If you live in the States and your comment is selected at random, I’ll send these out to you (I’ll contact you later for your address) If you’re out of the USA, I’ll ask you for $5 to offset international shipping (I’ll cover the other $5, we can split the $10 international shipping charge.)
After all, what are new needles without some new yarn?
A COOL PROJECT
If you enjoy weaving, high tech stuff AND documentaries (this is starting to sound like an unusual personal ad) then this project will be right up your alley.
Coded Stories will document the artwork of Guillermo Bert, who uses bar codes in his pieces. The Coded Stories Project will examine the work of the Mapuche people, a little-known group in Chile, while raising issues of loss of identity, globalization, and modernization that affect all of us.
Mapuche women still craft their remarkable textiles in the generations-old manner, weaving patterns of intricate geometric shapes that almost bear a relationship to … bar codes?
If this sounds interesting to you, you can be part of the funding of this project by visiting The Coded Stories Project kickstarter page and becoming a backer.
Personally, I cannot WAIT to see the finished documentary, but then I tend to like stories about indigenous peoples, high tech stuff, weaving, piña coladas and long walks by the beach…
Sorry, I got my blog post mixed up with a darned personal ad again…
I’m a fan of wooden needles. I just don’t like the cold feel of metal or the clicking sound they make when knitting, especially when knitting in meetings. I have a lot of Clover and Crystal Palace bamboo needles, but recently I’ve branched out a bit.
I have one Lantern Moon rosewood 16 inch circular US 8 that I really love. I also have one HiyaHiya bamboo US 5 that I’m currently knitting a lace shawl on and I’m loving it.
The tip is noticeably pointier than the Clovers, perfect for lace. I’d love to try these hexagonal ones – I’ve never even tried the square ones.
Thank you so much Annie! I’m excited about Hunter’s book :).
What a great post and such gorgeous needles! I live wood needles and treasure my set of Brittany walnut needles my husband gave me on our 2nd anniversary. I’ve not tried hexagonal needles and will have to check these out.
I enjoy metal needles, they’re slick and quick and I don’t hear the clicking when I knit (although I had some classmates and friends in college comment that it sounded like I was taking notes on a typewriter when I was knitting haha!). The smoothness of them keeps pressure off my hands, fingers and wrists which I like very much.
I love the little rowboats on the ends, those are so cute!
My sock knitting needles are usually wood; bamboo and the Harmony wood needles from Knit Picks. Addi Turbos are my usual choice for big project knitting; and sometimes the Clover wooden needles for little project. I would love to try out a pair of Signature needles. I love your photos that include the Signatures Annie.
I like circular bamboo needles by addi. But I’m intrigued by the hexagonal ones here. I spent a lot of time spinning a pencil in school and I loved the feel of it. I knit mostly with circulars because I don’t like seams and I think well in the round.
I have used and own all types of needles (addis; knit picks wooden, zephyr, and metal interchangeables; Denise interchangeables; Hiya, Hiya interchangeables; old nylon circular needles; Plymouth bamboo interchangeables). My current favorite are the Knit Pick Wooden Straight Needles. I love the points, the beauty of the wood and the way they feel. But needle love is fleeting and I’m always trying new ones.
It depends on what I’m knitting and the yarn. I like my Signatures for socks, but there are times when the needles are too slick for the yarn, then I turn to my Knitpick’s or Blackthorn’s. They are grippier, which is good for me. I don’t have to always have a death grip on them dealing with carpal tunnel at times.
I have 1 pair of straights that are triangular,, can’t remember the name off hand but they’re palm wood, and the shape has a lot to do with knitting comfort also!
I do like my Knitpro needles because of the points, I still have some love for some of the old metal needles I’ve had for years. Bamboo or wood is much easier on my hands.
My dad once visited a charity shop and picked up an old box filled with needles, and they were from many different eras, some of them were the old UK sizes, most were metal, many of them were bent from the knitters hands and pretty unusable, but I still have them, the imprint of this older knitter, this anonymous woman, are in these needles, mostly in the 4.5-5.5mm needles, and I can only imagine that at these sizes she knit Arans, possibly to support her family, or even just made them to clothe her family.
I live in Ireland and am willing to pay the extra if I win.
I usually prefer wood, unless I’m knitting fine lace. Those are lovely and I’d love to try a pair.
I have always had a somewhat ADD view of knitting needles (would knit on just about anything if the price was right). As I’ve aged and am knitting more, I like Addis , my Denises are good. I have a pretty decent collection of mixed and matched needles.
Then I met you when I took a class … and bought my first pair of Signature needles. I love knitting on them and their tips are so pointy and the chord is so flexible. I love them!
… but your row boat needles remind me of being in Maine as a child and learning to row a boat … in the ocean with a stiff wind. I’m sure I rocked it but I think the babysitter was seasick! 🙂
I love bamboo needles. They are so comfortable in my hands, and the stitches don’t slip off as easily (and they’re a very renewable resource). When I used aluminum needles, my hands tired more quickly and I dropped more stitches. I would love to have the chance to try another type of wooden needle to compare to my beloved bamboo
I relly like Addi’s click-needles (metal) and in generel I like bamboo – what I DO NOT like are those cheap, metal needles sold in ‘carry all for all hobbies’ stores.
I had a set of Rosewood needles that I broke but I loved those… too bad they couldn’t last longer.
My favorite needles at this moment are ChiaGoo red lace size zero, with which I’m knitting watermelon socks. I think no matter what needles I was using, though, knitting watermelon socks would make me happy… It surprises me to love these needles so much, since I usually prefer wood, but there’s something about them…
I prefer wood, but I think more important for me is the pointy-ness of the tips. I had a set of DPNs that were a lovely wood and the tips were so dull I hated every single moment of working with them.
I’ve used all sorts of needles and often it depends upon the yarn and the type of knitting. I have the clear plastic and the multi colored wood interchangeable ones from Knit Picks, lots of Brittany’s and clover wooden needles, tons of Addi’s and I recently
treated my self to a set of Signatures which I love. I also have miscellaneous hand made ones.
Wooden needles are easier on my newly arthritic fingers, and I have a great love for Michigan, having worked in the U.P. Lovely place, lovely people.
I have a large collection of needles, but no hexagonal ones! I find that each yarn speaks to me of which kind of needle it prefers–pointy or dull, flexible or firm, slick or “sticky”. I enjoy both the cool feel of metal, and the warmth of bamboo–it’s hard to find a needle that I don’t love!
I use all types of needles. I discovered the lace ChiaGoo needles this year and love them way more than the Addi lace turbos. Those turned on me. 🙁 I have a few pairs of Signatures and love their pointy goodness.
I also love wood needles. I am currently knitting a Color Affection with a pair of wood circulars!
I usually use Knit Picks interchangeable circulars. I prefer wood and those are so pretty!!
Wow – those needles are too cool! I have some nerve damage in my neck – which sometimes affects my hands. I prefer wooden needles because they are easier on my hands and bonus – when I have to put my knitting down, the yarn is less likely to just slip right off the needles.
Unfortunately, writing with a pen or pencil is pretty much out for me. I usually can’t do more than sign my name. It would be cool to use something that reminds me of writing when I knit (maybe to knit a story?)
Thanks for the opportunity!
I’m still looking for wooden needles that don’t slow me down. They look so keen and are timeless, back to the basics, and I’d love to try a new twist on an ancient idea – hexagonal!
I love wooden needles. I have some trouble with my hands, and just can’t hold onto the metal ones (I like the warmth of wood and bamboo anyway). I fondled the Indian Lake Artisans needles for quite some time at Stitches West this year, but kept my promise to myself to keep to my budget!
Thanks for the chance to win those lovely needles.
I prefer the wood mostly, and have many pairs of Clover. When I am feeling flush, I treat myself to Lantern Moon. Just love those too!
I inherited a bunch of plastic and metal needles. I appreciate them, but the wooden ones I’ve bought are usually easier to use.
I have a variety of needles that are special to me because of the *memories* attached to them. Metals aren’t my faves to knit with~ BUT they were my Great Gran’s so I treasure them. I have bamboos from my time abroad that knit beautifully and bring back happy times. But for pure knitting pleasure, I have a rosewood circular pair that are divine. I have never had anything but round shaped needles….so now I’m intrigued!
I use Addi Turbos, but I’m always open to trying a new needle.
I love wooden needles … their feel in your hand, the soft clicking noise that they make. And I love the idea of square and hexagonal needles (I haven’t used them a lot yet) that they may be easier on your hands and not are not so likely to roll off a table.
That being said, my current favorite needles are ChiaoGoo Red Lace needles … pointy, slippery, nice cable, and relatively inexpensive.
I love wooden needles (metal is often too slick for me). And I usually use circulars, but hate when they have a mind of their own and start turning. Would love to give these a spin ;p
I use bamboo most of the time. I was making a shawl recently and found how much difference the correct point made! I switched to a sharper point and the pattern went from frustrating to rhythmic. Thanks for the contest, I’d love to try these. They’re beautiful and I love boat ends!
My particular favorites are Dyak interchangeables and Signature in both circular and dpns. Needles and yarn need to match the knitter and pattern. This is often not the same “set” each time! Thanks for the opportunity to win these lovely Michigan crafted needles.
I absolutely adore using hardwood needles, especially Lantern Moon. I’ve never tried square ones before and have always been curious about them. I hear that they make for some very even stitches.
I love knitting with wooden needles. I find metal too slippery for my arthritic, stroke affected hands. That said I do like my kollage squares- they fit nicely in my hands. When my mom passed away last year I kept all of her knitting needles, mostly metal and acrylic (or plastic) from the 50s and 60s. When I have a knitting problem I stroke her needles for inspiration. I love that she and I share a love of knitting.
Hey Annie,
Loved the blogs and Facebook posts on your camping trip with Hannah.
I also love wooden and bamboo knitting needles. I have some tiny (1.75mm) four inchers for knitting lace or tiny socks.
Hexagonal needles may be the thing for an old coot like me.
I have all kinds…but usually use addis or HiyaHiya…..like wooden for socks usually…Those needles look beautiful!
Those are beautiful needles! I inherited my grandmother’s knitting needles, and found a few nylon circulars. I love using them – very smooth (no joins), and very flexible. Any time I find one in my thrift store rounds, I snag it.
I’m almost always using metal needles. I love wood, but only have a couple of pairs. I went on a bamboo kick a few years ago – I liked the feel of them in my hands, but the points aren’t sharp enough to do anything with.
Those are beautiful!
My fav needles are metal circulars. These needles look wonderful. I like wood needles when knitting with bamboo or silk. thanks!
My favorite needles tied for 1st place are Signature Needles and Knit Picks…the multicolored interchangeable. I went to the give away web site and these needles are soooo beautiful! If you would like to pick my name randomly and send them out to me I would be so forever grateful!
I’m a big fan of wooden needles, but NOT a fan of 14″ long straights. I like my straights no longer than 10″, and generally prefer circulars or shorter DPs. I like to stay within the confines of my space. 14″ needles seem to hang out past my sides (probably they really don’t), but they get heavy toward the ends when the work is mostly on one side. Circulars keep things in the center.
If I were to win, please pick again to give away the needles!
Thanks!
I, too, have used many types of needles and now usually try to choose a needle based on the yarn I’m using. I like my Knitpicks for the sharper points, Addis for the smoothness and wood when I’m using slippery yarn. I’m curious about square needles but haven’t used them. I am starting to experience more discomfort with arthritis in my fingers and am wondering if the square or these “pencil-shaped” needles will make it more comfortable to knit.
I prefer circulars, either Addis or ChiaoGoo, rarely use straights and my least favorite are double points.
I change needle type with yarn type (slick needles for sticky yarn and visa versa) and I don’t really have any kind of needle preference except… I do my socks on dpns. I’ve tried circular, but I prefer the handling of dpns. I very much like my Kollage square etal dpns, but I’ll use just about anything that works.
I love the rowboats on the needle ends… my DH does white water canoeing and I’d love to have water vessel themed needles!
Those are absolutely beautiful needles! I have yet to try any of the square or hexagonal needles, but I hear they are fabulous.
The Indian Lake Artisan needles look good. Although I normally use circulars, when I do use straight needles I use Brittany wooden needles. If can afford it, for straight’s or dpn’s, I adore Lantern Moon needles in Rosewood, they look and feel amazing! Having worked in a yarn shop and talked to lots of knitters I usually recommend wood or plastic for arthritic hands or sensitive necks, in other words for low impact. Both of which I have personal experience with. I also rated needles as ‘slow, med or fast’, my general rule of thumb is reverse the order relative to types of yarn…in other words on a ‘slow’ needle (plastic or bamboo) use a ‘fast’ yarn, ergo slippery/novelty yarn. On ‘fast’ needles (uncoated metal, and, if your hands work well, maybe hardwood) use a ‘slow’ yarn, i.e. wool. On a ‘med’ speed needle (coated metal & hardwood) pretty much anything, unless you like to knit extreemly fast. 😀
I learned to knit using pencils.
Lovely needles!
I love my Knit Picks Harmony wood needles the best. Metal needles make my hands hurt, so I slowly converted by collection to bamboo and found relief. Anything wooden or bamboo works for me. I haven’t tried square needles, though I hear they are easy on the hands too. I’d love to try these hexagonal needles!
I love wooden needles. I have a few metal and a few plastic in my collection, but I generally have to be desperate for a particular size to use them. I did recently get a Chia Goo Red Lace circular that is nice…but not enough for me to give up my wooden needles.
I still haven’t tried signature needles though…
I love any needles made out of rosewood! They are nice and warm in my hands.