For those of you interested in the Estonian Lace knitting..... + some bling

[xstchntat]

shhhhhh...don't tell hubby. I think I like the ChiaoGoo bamboo knitting needles better than the ones he got me from Estonia. I knit close to the points so that I have less movement in the wrists but the needle he got have a very long taper to the points so I end up with stitches too tight and have to fight with it. I transfered one of the scarfs to the bamboo needles and am now flying along with no more too tight stitches.

I guess my point is that even though it is nice to have the needles from Estonia if you knit close to the tips save yourself some money and time.

OOOhhh and I did something wild and crazy yesterday. Tuesday is my chemo day and I wanted something little to take with me because lets face it-it is boring sitting there. I had a set of bamboo DPN in a size 0 10" in length with only 3 left in the set. I don't usually like that small of a needle in bamboo because they break fairly easy. I took a wire cutter and snipped them in half and added some bling for the knob end and made short small needles that can be used for edgings knit is small rows or scarfs made with small thread or as shawl pins. They turned out really cute. And then of course I had to do some other sizes as well. What do you think?

I took the sparkly pompom ones with me and was knitting with punch needle thread making something for one of the girls' dolls. And the ones with the purple beads I put in place of the other needles.

[xstchntat]

Suppose I should mention that the ones that are size 0 and 1 are 5 inches long and the 3 and 4s are 9 inches long.

[PattyD]

Way to go! What a clever idea! Absolutely Brilliant! I'll keep you in my prayers about the chemo and having to have the chemo and all that other stuff that doesn't let you out of the house. I am lifted by your joy and wonderful take on things. Keep having fun.

[rsmre]

These are very, very pretty. I can't decide which ones I like the best. :)

[Tammy]

Those are great! Do you have favorite edging patterns? What do you put your edgings on? I didn't like really pointy needles to start with but I'm now finding I prefer them, what other brabd of needles would you compare ChiaoGoo bamboo too? I have their size 2 bamboo dnps and love those almost as much as their red lace circs. Know my prayers continue.

[xstchntat]

Tammy there are quite a few Edgings pattern booklets from the thread companies that have knitted as well as crochet and tatting. I am not sure I have a favorite. Most knit edgings are fairly easy with small numbers of stitches in the rows. They can be added to anything you can add an edging to. Pillow cases, sheets, towels, placemats, napkins, tablecloths and I also have added them to some of my daughters clothes when they were little and I made most of their clothes. The girls were 5 1/2 years apart but still liked to wear matching clothes. They share the same tastes and I have seen them go shopping separately and come back with the exact same outfit even though neither knew what the other picked out. Clover shuttle are compatible and hubby has gotten me some other sets on Ebay from China that were actually quite nice.

[tatting margaret]

Gosh they look wonderful and so colourful, I hope you are feeling better today after a days chemo, I know for a few days after you feel rough. I hope the treatment is working and you will soon be back to full health.
I am sorry I have not been around recently due to family problems and a sudden death, I often think of you and wonder how you are.
Hugs Margaret

[melaknits]

Loved your project...and have to admit you must take the prize for how to best utilize chemo time. Take a bow! I hate using doublepoints. always try to use a Magic Loop instead.. but maybe I could borrow your idea to transform the unused needles i acquired before learning Magic Loop.
I also bought some circular-size 1 and 2 bamboo ChiaoGoo needles at a local LYS and are very pleased with them. I have done some lace projects from A Gathering of Lace (for a shawl), Heirloom Knitting (edgings), Victorian Lace today (scarf) and Best of Interweave (entrelac lace stole). I have the estonian lace book but haven't tried anything yet. Have you done any of the projects?
By the way also looking for anyone who may have tried- successfully or not- to make the wedding ring shawl.

[Tammy]

I love my ChiaoGoo needles!!! Is the wedding ring shawl in the Estonian lace book or is it some place on the web that I could check out?

[Lynn]

Tammy, wedding ring shawls are originally Shetland lace. You can find an explanation here. For some patterns, check out this site. Just don't go thinking you have to knit all of them. You'll never tat again!