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kbshee
Permanent Resident
USA
4128 Posts |
 Posted - 12/29/2006 : 12:14:19 PM
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I stopped by an LYS (not one I patronize regularly, but one I go buy once a month or so) to get some pins. You know, pins. When you're seaming and you want to hold pieces together? Pins?
They looked at me like I had two heads (both owner and assistant manager). "You use pins? Why?" Says me: "to hold the pieces together when I'm seaming. Like a sleeve." "Can't you just fold the sleeve in half and then sew it in like that?" they ask.
Well, um, no, I can't. Hence, I'm looking for pins.
I have some loverly pins with little lollipop tops that I use for seaming, but apparently they are not carried by this LYS (and I keep losing them, hence I needed more). Instead, I bought some t pins as those were the only pins in the darn store. I know, I know...you use these for blocking, not for seaming. But they seem to be working for me.
Now, if you can seam without pinning, fine. But I find it hard to believe two experienced LYS people had never heard of pinning.
kim in oregon
http://kbshee.blogspot.com |
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mokey
Permanent Resident
15375 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2006 : 12:25:00 PM
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Different strokes for different strokes. When my Mum came to Canada she had no clue what all the knitting gadgets were; they just used needles, yarn, and a needle for seaming. I can't seam with pins! Truth be told I had never heard of using them for seams until I saw some in the corner of a yarn shop a few years back.
Brought to you by the tongue in cheek-y monkey
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http://www.femiknits.blog-city.com/knitting_for_canadian_troops.htm
http://greenfishoutofwater.blogspot.com |
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susiknits
Permanent Resident
USA
1060 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2006 : 12:26:27 PM
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Kim, you are right, it is wierd. I was looking for T-pins recently and was sold the Clover lollipop-head pins you describe, as THOSE people didn't know anything about any kind to T-pin.
And how does folding the sleeve in half work? I can see that as a starting point for placement, but being able to plan the ease of the sleeve cap is important, too!
Where had you gotten them before?
-- susi
--That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. |
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rebeccaL
Seriously Hooked
721 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2006 : 12:37:30 PM
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I've gotten similar confusion at an LYS when I asked after blocking wires.
And the printed braid stuff for Norwegian sweaters.
Rebecca
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Visit my blog at
http://www.spacesheep.com/Fiber/knitblog.html |
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PBELKNAP
Permanent Resident
USA
1127 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2006 : 1:42:22 PM
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Actually, I would love to try those yarn clips sometime. They make special clips now that hold the pieces together while you seam. I've seen them in the LYS.
PAM
WIPs: Project Linus baby blankets (2) and Estonian Lullaby baby blanket.
If I could only do this for a living... |
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fleegle
Permanent Resident
Japan
1507 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2006 : 2:08:53 PM
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I bought these large, wooden pins in Japan--Clover sells them--for seaming. Do they not sell them here? They kinda look like strange golf tees.
Come visit my blog...
http://fleeglesblog.blogspot.com |
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dschmidt
Permanent Resident
3920 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2006 : 2:32:50 PM
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I would get rather lopsided garments if I didn't pin first and adjust for the ease, especially in the tops of sleeves. I can do a short seam without pins but otherwise, no. What is amazing is that they were so unaware of pinning first -- there are things I never use but I am aware that others use them.
Donna in VA |
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kbshee
Permanent Resident
USA
4128 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2006 : 2:46:36 PM
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Donna--exactly my point!
Susi...I honestly can't recall where I purchased the lollipop pins...apparently not at THAT lys!!!
kim in oregon
http://kbshee.blogspot.com |
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VickiKK
Seriously Hooked
934 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2006 : 4:13:11 PM
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Those clippie things are fun to have, but people who I knit with buy tiny hair clips that are the same shape only smaller. I'm looking for some of them.
I have found that basting is the only way to go for me these days.
Vicki near Seattle |
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stitchmd
Seriously Hooked
716 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2006 : 5:24:47 PM
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You can get those pins in a fabric shop or craft store in the sewing section.
Instead of wooden pins how about nice quality round toothpicks. Stick a bead or something on one end if you like.
Personally I use large safety pins so no sharp points get me. If I don't pin first the seams tend to get out of alignment due to differential stretchiness or my inattention.
You can't have a battle of wits with an unarmed person. |
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busygirl
Permanent Resident
Australia
1672 Posts |
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PatriciaS
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
537 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2006 : 6:23:05 PM
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I'd love to try the clips -- and may try the hair clip idea in the meantime -- but what I use is plastic picks that were originally designed to hold hair rollers in place. You can see them in a couple of the photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/patricias/
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pqpatch
Seriously Hooked
USA
616 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2006 : 6:37:16 PM
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| I also need to pin to make sure I keep on track with my seaming, otherwise I end up with one side being longer than the other when I reach the end. Everyone is different and there are certainly no hard and fast rules to follow. What ever works! |
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GFTC
Permanent Resident
USA
6331 Posts |
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lucylocket
Permanent Resident
4172 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2006 : 6:44:23 PM
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I use pearl-headed berry pins, which are probably the same as or similar to your lollipop pins. 40 in a pack and 8 different coloured heads.They are terrific to use when sewing up toys.On sale in all stores here that have a haberdashery section. Happy Knitting - Lucylocket [meow]
My Pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucicat/ |
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Mermaid Knits
Permanent Resident
USA
1129 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2006 : 7:30:18 PM
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Not that long ago I found some nice colourful plastic clothesline pins! I haven't used them for hanging laundry, but I have used them for seaming and hanging up nice photos. The pins have rubberized inner surfaces to really help with the grip.
Arctic-mermaid
http://www.flickr.com/photos/MermaidKnits/ |
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chellethinques
Permanent Resident
USA
1431 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2006 : 8:48:13 PM
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| I had a similar experience when looking for blocking wires...I then realized that the LYS also didn't sell *any* laceweight yarn, so go figure... |
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The Irish Ewe
Permanent Resident
USA
1052 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2006 : 05:41:00 AM
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Part of the problem may be in the supplier - their yarn companies may not carry pins. Or the sales rep may focus on yarns, not needles and tools. It's a hard balance, we often run out of pins in a week, but only after they sit there for months without anyone touching them!
Although... I admit I rarely pin. And I hardley ever use blocking wires (Yarn Harlot has a great tutorial on blocking with string instead of wires, I do that or just pin flat) And socks... I refuse to pay big bucks for sock blockers that are only in one size, so I end up making coat hanger forms. I think the only time I pin is for sleeve placement, but I really don't do fitted sleeves like that often, much prefer raglan or knit in or saddles. The rest of the time, I fold over the sleeve and use the aforementioned hair clips, or even paperclips.
But then again, I am lazy and Yankee Frugual (read that "very, VERY cheap" lol)
Dagny of The Irish Ewe
Norway, Maine
Work - http://www.TheIrishEwe.com
Life - aLifeAutistic.com |
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RachelKnitter
Permanent Resident
USA
2995 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2006 : 08:10:01 AM
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I use twisty ties.
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You are about to be told one more time that you are America’s most valuable natural resource. Have you seen what they do to valuable natural resources? -Utah Phillips, addressing a group of young people
Poetry discussion, and other assorted cultural ramblings:
http://crazylanea.typepad.com/eating_poetry/ |
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Schachkoenigin
Chatty Knitter
166 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2006 : 4:01:58 PM
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Are the "lollipop pins" quilters pins? You can get those at JoAnn Fabrics or Michaels.
I never pin. I don't even pin when I'm sewing if I can get away with it.(read: if my mother doesn't see :P)
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Others have excuses, I have my reasons why... |
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metromaples
Seriously Hooked
USA
873 Posts |
Posted - 12/30/2006 : 6:19:02 PM
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I generally don't pin when seaming knitting. But if I need to hold knitted parts together, or mark centers so I can match some part... I use dpns. Nice big "pins" and I have them in lots of sizes.
-- Jeri
http://soapquiltknit.blogspot.com/
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