This morning I completed a census of the active works-in-progress residing in my apartment and discovered that every one of them is being knit on size zero (2 mm) needles. I was prompted to take stock after looking into my needle stash for another size zero, for a new project, and finding nothing smaller than a size two.Reasons why this may have happened:
- My yarn stash has grown to the point where I have to choose smaller projects, the better to fit into what space remains.
- I'm engaged in a blood feud with Sharon Miller.
- I'd like to be rid of what's left of my eyesight by Christmas.
- I'm trying to win a Dream Date with Eugen Beugler.
- Too much time at the drawing board has atrophied my biceps and I can no longer lift anything heavier than fingering weight.
- All those re-readings of The Tailor of Gloucester
have finally taken a toll on my sanity.
- I believe that holding smaller needles will make me look taller.
- I have developed a split personality and the other half of me is Margaret Stove
- Julia Roberts was spotted knitting a Kiri shawl and where goeth Julia, so must I.
- This, the terminal stage of my knitting addicition, has destroyed my sense of perspective and I honestly thought I was working with Malabrigo Super Chunky.
Not "taller" - *thinner*.
ReplyDeleteAt least, that's how it works for me :)
(Thanks for a series of good laughs after an unusually laughless day!)
I have some super chunky yarn that I got on sale, right about the time I too realized I had nothing going on needles larger than 2.25mm. I could send it your way if you think it will help. I also bought some big ass needles to knit it up with, but for some reason I'm still working on a scarf on size 2.75 needles, some socks on size 0, and some socks on size 1... and I wonder why my UFOs NEVER get finished??????
ReplyDeleteha ha ha ha
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear this, because I thought I was the only one who had umpteen things going at the same time. I'm always borrowing needles from another project.
I have all your size zeroes, and am out of size 2s right now. Seriously, it's to the point that I've got deadline knitting on a 3rd-tier set of bamboo 2s. I'll send help if you help!
ReplyDeleteHoly shit, does #7 work?
ReplyDeleteSolution: buy more 2mm needles. Buying more needles is generally the approach I take when I want to start something and discover that all the needles of that size are already in use. Probably goes a long way to explaining why I have about a hundred sets/pairs of size 1 and size 4 needles. I apparently don't use anything else.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with Meredith...buy more needles. This is the same approach used by many single guys when it comes to laundry, which is why my husband had 93 pairs of underwear when we met.
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with ya. All my current projects are on 0s or 1s. Embrace it.
ReplyDeleteI knew when I was in trouble when I realized I could afford to buy waaay too many circular 0's from Knitpicks for about $6/each, I think. If you get enough of them at once, the shipping per unit isn't so bad. Still trying to find circular OO's. & OOO's. Don't worry honey, they make magnifying glasses--
ReplyDeleteJust realized how much of an enabler I might be. Send the help HERE. NOW.
If you start muttering "No more laceweight" in your sleep, then we'll know to pin the blame squarely on Ms. Potter.
ReplyDelete(Incidentally, that book was her personal favorite, of all she wrote.)
You can always get more 0's come Friday :-)
ReplyDeleteDude, not to be anal, but it's "Eugen."
ReplyDeleteSrsly.
You forgot another reason: you want to knit with more BBF laceweight.
I had the same affliction, then some 1.5mm needles arrived and I've now started the hunt for the appropriate sock yarn on which to knit something on them. 'Opal' seems to work, but is there ever a reason to wear bulletproof socks? If you find a proper application, please forward the info. Meanwhile, I shall continue making slow progress on the seven pairs currently sucking up all my "fatties" (those 2mm seem kinda beefy and speedy-quick now.) Remember, knitting is for pleasure... hurts so good, right?
ReplyDeleteMust be time for hat season...not many of those on 2mm!
ReplyDeleteI long for a crowd of helpful mice ti finish my WIPs, too, now that you mention Beatrix potter. Buy more needles.
ReplyDeleteBut, you forgot the number one reason (why am I hearing David Letterman in my head?) you are knitting the tiny stuff...
ReplyDeleteIt is more economical to knit fine yarn in lace weight rather than worsted weight, because yarn is sold by the gram.
Glad to know that I am in good company. I just bought a set of 00 40" circs lace addis...because the points were too dull on the other 6 sets for the k2togs. ~ksp
ReplyDeleteYou get more knitting fun per gram with the finer materials, and they impress the heck out of people. If you need more FOs, knit simple socks for toddlers and small children; I once knew a woman whose two kids had 87 pairs of socks and 423 singles because of all the socks they lost.
ReplyDeleteMy carpal tunnel just flared up in fear of your UFO pile...
ReplyDeleteHmmmm . . . I spy with my little eye . . some Angora-Tweed in the that stash . . . what's that? Is it saying . . . Knit meeeeee, Knit meeeee!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt must be the summer. Everything I'm working on is either sock weight or lace weight too. Or maybe I just love teeny tiny yarn. :-)
ReplyDeleteGee, if you're engaged in a blood feud with Sharon Miller, you're gonna have to gone down to a 0000 to win.
ReplyDeleteI have a cure.
ReplyDeleteKnit a hat! (insert evil grin here).
You could always go down the Brooklyn Tweed route and knit lace on worstead with large needles?
ReplyDeleteHa! I perpetually have that problem. The other option is to simply embrace your fate and admit to yourself that you simply like small needles.
ReplyDeleteThen go knit a full size, fair isle sweater on 1s, just to prove it to yourself.
I would suggest - nay - implore you to go immeadiatly to the LYS and purchase a project worth of Chunky or super chunky yarn.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I also suggest you purchase more size 0 Needles so that you will not have to search for any, and thus find out you have them all in use.
Thanks for the good laugh!
Aaahhaah.. Now I know why I knit 10 mm needles, I want to look smaller, thinner etc.
ReplyDeleteEasy.
ReplyDeleteGo the nearest yarn shop, I am sure they have some sample knitting in a basket sitting around. Pick it up and start knitting with it, it's not going to be smaller than worsted weight on size 8.
Then go to the counter and pay for that extra size 0 you need.
Franklin, grab some size 9s and some pretty chunky merino and knit a hat, as suggested by other wise admirers of yours. It makes a nice short diversion from the toothpicks. You will enjoy the change and appreciate getting quickly back to your fave little zeros. Gives your hands a break, too. After the hat break, you can show us your progress on the (used to be) red shawl, hmmmm?
ReplyDeleteFranklin, darling, even in your lace-induced mania, you're so terribly handsome. Love the self-portrait!
ReplyDeleteCiao-ciao,
Michelle
Oh, you're just advertising all your friends thinking we'll go to all those sites and buy stuff. Well, I'm not falling for ... ooooooh, look! They have Jamieson's laceweight!
ReplyDeleteI've tried #7. It helped - I nearly hit 5'1". But the air was too thin so I put the size 0s down.
ReplyDeleteI used a 9mm needle just last night. I needed to pop the squeaky out of a new toy for my dog. Wait, does that count??
ReplyDeleteFunny, all of my projects seem to be knit on size 2's...
ReplyDeleteOnce you've hit #13, there really is no coming back.
ReplyDeleteBuy more needles.
Your goatee is so symmetrical, it borders on mesmerizing.
ReplyDeleteThe best way to meet Mr. Beugler is to come to California for Stitches West. He was at the last two, stationed squarely in the center of the Lacy Knitters' booth (protected by lacy knitters on both sides), and I spoke to him on both occasions. In fact, at the last one, he signed my Hydrangea Scarf pattern. And he signed his name "Gene." I was a bit verklempt.
ReplyDeleteMy needle stash seems to be breeding US 17s and 35s like dust bunnies. I'm more than willing to cull the herd...er...share. I'm not certain if that would just make things worse, though.
ReplyDeleteI haven't used 0's yet, but I use 1's every day for my bus knitting (socks). I'm so used to them they don't seem small at all. Unfortunately I've also become used to not quite being able to focus on what I'm knitting. My first pair of bifocals should be ready in a couple of days.
ReplyDeleteIf I ever get like that, do I get a book deal, too? ;P
ReplyDeleteThere's only one solution - go smaller. Lacis has needles from 00 down to 8-0.
ReplyDelete(Time for me to duck and run like blazes, I think.)
Argh, I just looked at my needle inventory and I have over 60 needles 00 or smaller.
We suffer the same wellness - anything above a 2.5-mm is totally unemployed around my house.
ReplyDeleteYou are so funny
ReplyDeleteI'd send help. Really I would, but you do know that you are reaching the point of being beyond it, right?
ReplyDeleteFYI: Twist Collective launches on August First.
http://www.twistcollective.com/newsletter_archive/june_08.html
Wow. And I thought I was bad with everything being on size 3 and smaller. Obviously my small yarn is chunky!
ReplyDeleteI was going to comment on your astonishing symmetry, but then I saw someone else already had. I'm commenting anyway.
ReplyDeleteMy mother reads aloud about "no more twist" every Christmas Eve. I'm 42 and I still look forward to it!
ReplyDelete:smile: My adult children will still go on about being "worn to a raveling." Take to your bed for a week, knit yourself a chunky hat, and all will be well.
ReplyDeleteJulia is SUCH a copycat. I started Kiri first.
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago.
Shut up.
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ReplyDelete