Needle in a Haystack
Today, as I write this, my father would have been 98 years old. He was brilliant, finishing his PhD in Linguistics before he was 22. As a young Naval officer during WWII, he used his skills to break German and Japanese codes. I miss him every day, although he could make me crazy. He was thrifty to a fault. No, I'll just say it plain. He was cheap. His cheap shoes hurt his feet. His cheap tires were a hazard to all, and his cheap wine, well, I think you know where that goes. My darling husband is also very careful with his money, but unlike my father, he is a fanatic about buying quality things that last and save money in the long run. He's imparted this philosophy to the kids so strongly that when considering their options, they often ask, "WWDB - What would Dad buy?"
My husband is not a knitter, but if he were, he would absolutely buy a set of interchangeable needles. They are a big investment up front, but given the fact that they save you 300% over the course of your knitting, he'd be an enthusiastic supporter. I love interchangeable needles. As far as I'm concerned, they're the greatest invention since the circular needle itself, and every knitter should have a set. Just having them puts your mind at ease when you start a project. Do you have the right needles? Yes. Need to go up or down a size? You're covered. Need varying lengths for one project? You got it.
There are dozens of interchangeable sets out there -- we carry at least 9 different sets at the shop. There are lots of factors to consider -- the tips, the material, the mechanism, the cables, the join, and more. The only way to really know what you like is to try them out. Which is exactly why we're having a needle expo next week. We'll have all the sets out and available for you to see and touch and use. Bring some yarn and have a relaxing afternoon deciding which is your favorite. You can buy them that day, or like many knitters, you can put them on your wish list and let Santa get them for you. Either way, a nice set of interchangeables is a good investment you'll always be glad you made.
I look forward to seeing you at the needle expo, or in the shop and around the table. You are always welcome here.
~Ellen
p.s. Don't forget the Entrelac class starts this Saturday - a fun knit and a great project!