Have you ever wanted needles that were more pointy or less pointy than the ones in your hands? Now you can buy needles in the degree of pointiness that suits you from Signature Needles.

Choose from points labeled blunt, middy or stiletto. You also have your choice in needle size, length and even needle cap. You can customize your needle to almost your exact specifications. This is almost like the Cadillac of needles, when you think about it. I’ve never used them, but I’ve used Addi needles (another Cadillac)…pretty swank.

Image: Signature Needle Arts

I’ve only used wooden DPNs so far, but I wanted to try some aluminum or nickel plated ones. Sometimes, the yarn drags and while I like the quiet of the wood, the clacking of needles doesn’t bother me at all.

I recently bought these KnitPicks DPNs. They’re nickel plated and very smooth.

I started some socks and wanted to give the needles’ good points:

• Very pointy: While I’m doing a very vanilla pair of socks right now, if you have a pattern that requires a lot of decreases, knitting through back loops and those sort of gymnastics, you’ll have no problem guiding these needles through multiple stitches.
• Very smooth: The yarn is just gliding along with no effort. Makes for fast work.
• Not heavy: I’ve heard that some metal needles tend to be heavier than wooden needles, but so far, I see no difference. They feel light in my hands and easy to use.
• On sale: One reason I wanted to buy these now is because they’re currently on sale for $3.49 for a set of five. I have the 6″ length, which I like for sock-making.

I’ve bought a lot from KnitPicks over the years and have never been disappointed. The price is right, the needles are great.

Image: © D. Sandeen

It’s Bloggy giveaway carnival time again!

Here is the list of links to all my contests this week.

Feel free to enter as often as you like!  Please check back through the week, as I intend to add more prizes to the list.

1. One of a kind handmade Hedgehog Tatting Shuttle by Noreen Crone-Findlay 
2. Red 3/8″ embellishment cord with wire by Kreinik
3. Gold color 3/8″ embellishment cord with wire by Kreinik
4. Silver color 3/8 ” embellishment cord with wire by Kreinik
5. Silver color heart shape earrings
6. Gold color heart shape earrings
7. DP Tubes for storing double pointed knitting needles and crochet hooks
8. DP WIP Tubes to protect your sock or other dpn knitting while it’s ‘parked’, or to store knitting needles and crochet hooks

If you’d like to win these prizes, please click on the link, and  leave a comment ON THAT PAGE

But, NOT in the box below

and make sure you leave a valid email address. 

You can enter the contests as often as you would like.

The Contests runs from October 27 to October 31, and are open to readers in Canada and the States.

Good luck!

Image Source: Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
More giveaways at the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival!

THE WINNER WAS SIERRA! Congratulations, Sierra!

This was a  fun prize from Nancy’s Knit Knacks:

They designed them to hold knitting needles, but they are also great for storing crochet hooks (the link shows how I use mine)

DP Needle Tube™ - A solution for holding and protecting your valuable and delicate Double Pointed Needles.

The Contest  is now closed.

Image Source: Nancy’s Knit Knacks
Thanks everyone!

I am no longer writing hankering for yarn, so you’ll have to catch me at www.tottietalkscrafts.com

AND>>>>>>>

The WINNER IS:  # 61, Jennifer! Congratulations, Jennifer!  I’ll be sending your email on to the lovely folks at Nancy’s Knit Knacks. Hope that you’ll enjoy them!

Nancy’s Knit Knacks sponsored this splendido prize:

DP Wip Tube™ - A solution for holding and protecting your valuable and delicate Double Pointed Needles while they are still connected to your project!

I have a set (here’s where I wrote about them)  and just love them,

so I asked the kind folks at Nancy’s Knit Knacks

if they would be willing to donate a set for you to win.

And, bless their hearts, they did!

Check out their website… there are all manner of wonderful gadgets for your knitting, crochet and stitchery.
The Contest is now closed.

Image Source: Nancy’s Knit Knacks, copyright.

Thanks everyone!

I am no longer writing hankering for yarn, so you’ll have to catch me at www.tottietalkscrafts.com

My dear friend, Arlee, is a FABULOUS teacher (and wonderful person).

She started a knitting club at her school, and has 46 kids knitting up a storm.

We were chatting the other evening, and she said:

‘Oooh… getting knitting needles for all those kids is  expensive !’

And I responded: ‘Why not MAKE them knitting needles? !’  (I love ‘GREEN’ eco friendly/recycling projects)

Just take a set of used, clean chopsticks, some beads and a nail file….

Wash the chopsticks. File any rough spots on the chopsticks, and shape the ends into a softly rounded point:

Glue (or wedge firmly) the  beads onto the blunt ends:

And - Voila! you’ve got a fine set of cheap and cheerful, excellent knitting needles that you can knit your noodles with!

And, you have kept them out of the landfill! Yay!

I used these knitting needles to knit the world’s easiest teddy bear: