Monday, January 9, 2012

Times Two

Done.  I really get bored doing the second one.

Both threads are Lizbeth #30

I suppose that is why my sock knitting days ground to a sudden halt after several scores, if not hundreds of seconds. I have actually given away all my knitting supplies.  Now that the kids have limited their families, I have heaved a sigh of relief!

I felt guilty for a while that I was not picking up the needles... figure that!

Now that the socks are done, I believe I have time for two blue dragons, which I shall treat at the end to a lovely glue bath in order to make them strong for little fingers!

Question.  Do you find that using the self-threading needles is difficult when you are using #30 thread or smaller?  



I do, so I looked through my supplies and found these, but I do not know what they are called, and I have only a few. I will need to purchase more.

They seem to bend very quickly, just beneath the eye, and then break .  But, they are lovely and sharp, and the hole is large enough for the thread.

Since I always have my tatting with me and I have the needle in my kit, when I pass a fabric store I will be able to identify the type of needle.  But I was wondering if anyone has the name right there...

14 comments:

  1. The socks look great!! You and needles what are we going to do with you!?! Say hi to NN for me!!
    ;)))))
    Kelly

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  2. Hi Kel! NN says a big, jolly HELLO!
    Fox : )

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  3. pretty socks.
    the needles look like they might be crewel, or embroidery needles.

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  4. I use regular needles and a needle threader, cheap.

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  5. Thank you, Ladytats and CM. i looked up 'needles' and I think these are:

    Chenille: These are similar to tapestry needles but with large, long eyes and a very sharp point to penetrate closely woven fabrics. Useful for ribbon embroidery.

    And yes, they are very, very inexpensive! Just over a dollar, I think I paid for the little package I have of about 10. And I do not need a threader as the eye is lovely and large.
    Fox : )

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  6. Ever since my counted cross-stitch days back in the 1980s, I've preferred to use long-eyed needles for ALL my hand-sewing projects (even quilting!), basically because they are so easy to thread. I do use a needle threader, but one of those flattened metal 'hook' types. I just push the threader through the eye and simply lay the thread over the threader and pull the thread through the eye. I use a DMC three-in-one, but I remove the wire threader from it, as I don't need it.

    My needles are #26 tapestry, and indeed they can break, but they're good for 'up to' size 50 thread. I still don't know how tatters hide the ends in size 70 thread on up!

    You really DID give up on knitting! I don't do that much anymore, but I still have a ton of supplies and books!

    The socks are colorful, and the 'glue-dipped' dragons will be great playmates!

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  7. I like to use hand quilting needles myself. I got a pack of assorted ones, tried a few out, and found one larger one that works well for sizes 20 and 30 threads, and a smaller one that is good for 40-80; I put these in a separate compartment of the compact so I can always grab them. I've been using the same ones for over a decade now and never had a problem with breaking or bending, although I do occasionally have to run them through an emery bag to keep the points nice.

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  8. The socks look wonderful! I've never tried a self-threading needle. It's just not something I think about. Maybe I'll look for them the next time I go shopping... just so I can give you some input. : )

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  9. Diane - Thanks! Check your e-mail before you go shipping! Fox ; ))

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  10. Hi Fox,

    Beautiful socks, shes going to look gorgeous with those socks on.
    Margaret

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  11. The socks are cute, lovely color. Bored on the 2nd one, oh, my! :) That's why I don't edge pillowcases and such very often. I'm looking forward to seeing your dragons. One has been requested of me but I haven't started it yet.

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