| Author |
 Topic  |
|
U-519
New Pal
Canada
46 Posts |
 Posted - 10/25/2011 : 04:11:49 AM
|
Good morning everyone:
I don't knit! BUT my wife does and I enjoy buying her the things she genuinely enjoys. With this in mind, I thought that hearing from others who truly hold the same passion, I may be able to find out about the most sought after items for knitters. Can you help?
My wife knits alone and we live in the country, somewhat removed from ready access to events. I thought perhaps I might be able to connect her with others as well as discover gatherings or events we might drive to.
So far, I have introduced her to knitting with angorra, cashmere and most recently, yak (mixed with camel). I understand that adds some control to the finished product. I've also found a few tools that assisted in her endeavors. Perhaps someone here can assist as well. I believe her skill level to be moderate to advanced, knitting with lace as well as from books like Elzbeth Lavold.
With Christmas just around the corner,any assistance would be welcome. Conversely, I do my Christmas shopping for my wife year round, to ensure I get just the right gifts.
Thank you all for your time.
U-519
James Langford |
|
|
purlewe
Permanent Resident
1867 Posts |
|
|
La galloise
Chatty Knitter
France
158 Posts |
Posted - 10/25/2011 : 08:26:42 AM
|
Have you ever thought of introducing her to spinning her own fibre? There are a host of learning to spin books and dvd's available ,as well as maybe a spindle for her Christamas stocking.........but be warned spinning is an addiction,take it from one who knows 
Mary |
 |
|
|
U-519
New Pal
Canada
46 Posts |
Posted - 10/25/2011 : 09:50:06 AM
|
This is great! I think I went to the right place for advice. Now I have more sources, from those who know, as well as a little more direction in hunting down just the right gifts.
The spinning is an idea I had mentioned but my wife seemed disinterested, not because it sounds dull but because she simply enjoys the actual knitting so much!
Thank you both for your assistance. I'm listening (reading) intently to every bit of advice given.
James (U-519)
James Langford |
|
|
|
Ditzy Girl
Permanent Resident
USA
4712 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2011 : 08:48:14 AM
|
I love that my kids give me gift certificates to my local yarn shop.
Then I can buy just what I want and have a great shopping spree.
Zola, Seattle, Wash.
|
|
|
|
U-519
New Pal
Canada
46 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2011 : 09:22:40 AM
|
Good morning Zola: First, thank you for your input! Gift certificates are a wonderful idea but not in my case.
If my wife views something that she likes while shopping, either she buys it or I buy it for her. There is no need for a certificate. The convenience is certainly handy but the trade off is the loss of thought that goes into the gift, I think. Plus, a certificate may be viewed as an act of desperation and I NEVER leave gift shopping for my wife to the last opportunity. Indeed, I enjoy the experience as well as the smile it brings PROVIDED I did my research. But again, I thank you for your contribution.
James Langford |
|
|
|
jtamsn
Permanent Resident
USA
1580 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2011 : 10:31:42 AM
|
There are some books out there I would just love to have. Clara's new Book of Socks, New England Knits, Mastering Color Knitting,among others. Maybe a book in a technique she either would love to try or explore more of? Then turn her on to KR!?! We will be glad to enable her passion!
judy |
|
|
|
U-519
New Pal
Canada
46 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2011 : 11:02:10 AM
|
Excellent! And she loves to read. Thank you.
James Langford |
|
|
|
Gibson Girl
Chatty Knitter
USA
148 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2011 : 12:20:44 PM
|
| My, but you're a lovely, thoughtful husband. She's blessed. |
|
|
|
U-519
New Pal
Canada
46 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2011 : 4:34:03 PM
|
You're very kind. With that in mind, I hope my wife will be able to attend events this group arranges. So far, it sounds like a delightfully helpful group of enthusiasts.
James Langford |
|
|
|
jetesf
New Pal
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 10/27/2011 : 12:31:41 PM
|
Hello James,
You're such a sweetie! Could you teach my husband some lessons on gift giving? ; )
Does she already have a "luxury brand" of interchangeable needles, such as DyakCraft or Signature Arts? I hear that are wonderful and a dream to work with. Here are their websites:
http://www.dyakcraft.com/
http://www.signatureneedlearts.com/
Cheers,
Julie
Julie |
|
|
|
U-519
New Pal
Canada
46 Posts |
Posted - 10/27/2011 : 1:51:08 PM
|
Hello Julie: I am unfamiliar with the luxury needles you mention but I will check out the sites you mention when I finish writing this. I had bought her some needles that have a sort of wire attached. One kind has the wire attached to a needle at both ends and the other, which I am unable to find any more of and she likes a lot, have only one needle attached. I forget the brand name but if I find more, into the stocking they go. I don't think she has any interchangeable needles (but she will now)! I know that she likes to try different needles so I have purchased some good ones in the past. We looked at tortoise shell and ivory needles as possibility, but thought it may not be good for species protection, so we figured antique may be the answer. I just haven't found any that leave me feeling the species remain unthreatened. I have just ordered some square needles by Kollage for her stocking but she has none right now. I don't know if they will be good. I have a small load of Yak and camel mix coming this month and next month.
I think I just may be rather indebted to all of you ladies for taking the time to lend some assistance to someone so ignorant in this field. I thank you for your time.
James Langford |
|
|
|
U-519
New Pal
Canada
46 Posts |
Posted - 10/27/2011 : 2:08:59 PM
|
Absolutely perfect! Ladies, I think my wife's stocking will be even better than last year and last year was an exceptionally splendid year. HOWEVER, I will need some more assistance (if you don't mind) and please, keep it simple if possible.
The Dyakraft brand look perfect and I think my wife prefers wood needles. As for size, I managed to find out, in a subtle manner, that she likes 4mm and 10" but if she has that already, what now? And what difference does the colour of a needle make? (I'm a guy so what do I know about colour?) To some up, I think she still has some angorra, cashmere and now 1200 yards of yak/camel (enough to make a sweater, I think). Which needles should I buy? Thanking you all (once again) in advance.
James Langford |
|
|
|
purlthis
Permanent Resident
USA
2715 Posts |
Posted - 10/27/2011 : 3:46:02 PM
|
Jumper needles are the ones that look like circular needles, with only one needle.
Rachel
------------------------------------------------------
As I get older, I prefer to knit. Tracey Ullman
http://purledthis.blogspot.com/ UPDATED! WITH PICS! |
|
|
|
U-519
New Pal
Canada
46 Posts |
Posted - 10/27/2011 : 6:08:06 PM
|
Thank you kindly, Rachel. I will continue my research.
James Langford |
|
|
|
purlewe
Permanent Resident
1867 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2011 : 08:09:52 AM
|
If she has a preferred size and length of needle, this means she would love more of the same size and length. Or at least that is what it means in my world.
Life is not a having and a getting, but a being and a becoming. ~Myrna Loy
http://purlewe.typepad.com/ |
|
|
|
U-519
New Pal
Canada
46 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2011 : 08:49:11 AM
|
Thank you for that, Purlewe. But I still worry about the colour. Is it a question of using light coloured needles against dark yarn, for the ease of knitting or is it just that colours are offered to appeal to a variety of personal tastes?
James Langford |
|
|
|
shaggy
Permanent Resident
USA
4125 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2011 : 08:55:46 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Gibson Girl
My, but you're a lovely, thoughtful husband. She's blessed.
I agree, are you for real James
shaggy
every dollar makes Betty smile
|
|
|
|
U-519
New Pal
Canada
46 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2011 : 09:08:57 AM
|
I don't know how to respond to some of these other than to say that if she's happy, then I'm happy. It's a simple equasion. Hopefully, my wife will be able to join in some of your gatherings soon. The spa/knitting events look like something she would enjoy. Tuscanny looks good but I'll have to wait a bit for that one. But I digress. I want to buy the needles but I am still unaware of the importance of the colours? Is colour significant?
James Langford |
|
|
|
purlewe
Permanent Resident
1867 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2011 : 10:44:02 AM
|
I think people like colors because they are festive. I personally prefer knitting needles that are one color, but I realize I am in the simply in the minority.
Life is not a having and a getting, but a being and a becoming. ~Myrna Loy
http://purlewe.typepad.com/ |
|
|
|
robinstephanie
Seriously Hooked
USA
878 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2011 : 3:49:39 PM
|
Hi James. I think one reason you're not getting a strong response to your question about how color is important is because it isn't important in a technical knitting sense. Instead it's more of a question of personal aesthetics. I think you're on the right track when you said that 'colors are offered to appeal to a variety of tastes'. Of course, as we all know, this is hard to judge when you're buying for another person.
On another note, if you plan to purchase the Dyacraft needles, you should know that not long ago they had a waiting list for their handmade needles, as they were in such demand. I think it was a few months long. This may no longer be the case, but you may wish to investigate it. Good luck!
Robinsteph
Different is good. ~Matthew Hoover |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Any assistance would be appreciated
