Saturday, January 03, 2009

When Good Needles Go Bad (Mission Control, We Have A Problem)





So I'm knitting along on Goldregen when I notice something is not quite right. You know, a kind of looseness where there is not supposed to be anything loose. That's when I realize the join where the needle is supposed to meet the cable has separated. Sigh. I really do suck at fixing this type of thing but I'm not looking forward to trying to pick back about 5 rows of work on US 0000 needles. I think I will leave it for awhile and look at it tomorrow. Maybe it will look better in the morning. Sigh. However, I have made a second project on the loom. It only took 2 days and is a scarf for my sister made from Lisa Sousa's Baby Alpaca Lace in colorway "Sun Bleached Mahogany". Finally something my sister is willing to wear! So I guess I have to be satisfied with that success while my lace knitting kicks the crap out of me.
Happy New Year!

22 comments:

fleegle said...

Oh Jane--that's HORRIBLE! I mean the needle, not the scarf, which is lovely!

I am useless at picking up stitches and even worse at tinking. That's why I use lots of l-------s :)

soxchik said...

Oh my God, I think I would cry.

Laritza said...

Just leave the clamp on and knit the next row onto a new needle. This set, as much as you might love it: throw it away! Get KnitPicks or Addies and Knit on! The knitting is lovely and the weaving almost more so!

Anonymous said...

Oh, ouch! I had that happen a few times, but always on much larger needles. I hope it picks back up painlessly.

Amanda said...

Awful. I had that once but fortunately discovered it relatively quickly. I was only 2 rows off finishing too so I just had to pick up the stitches. Hope you recover in the morning.

Soo said...

eeeeeek! Good luck when you tackle it!!!

BadCatDesigns said...

Argh! What a major drag. Put it away until that moment when you have the urge. It was looking so nice...

Anonymous said...

Eeek! I hope when you rreturn to the lace it turns out to be not as bad as first thought. Yeah sometimes I notice things other than what bloggers write of - like that wonderful wood ruler! I have not seen a wood ruler in soooo long - it's beautiful. Terry

Unknown said...

I agree with Terry about the ruler - that is so beautiful.

As for the knitting needle? I'll cringe and cry for you. I'd cross my fingers but then I couldn't knit.

Anonymous said...

Okay I love the lace that is why I follow your blog but you MUST tell us about that gorgeous ruler!!!

Please please please

And oh by the way the lace is lovely as always.

LittleBerry said...

I'm sure you will conquer the problem you always do... but how very very very annoying & frustrating....

I love the scarf the colours are very pretty....

Lacefreak said...

Dear fleegle,

Needle failure. It really does suck. Still, It looks like something I might be able to fix rather than pick back. I love how the scarf came out too and my sister is happy with it which is a really big plus :-)

Lacefreak said...

Dear sockchik,

Cry or perhaps scream which is what I almost did. This is the first time I've ever had this happen. It kind of put me off of HiyaHiya needles but Addi doesn't make them in US 0000. I'm going to put this onto Addi US 000 needles once I fix it up.

Lacefreak said...

Dear Laritiza,


I don't love the HiyaHiya needles right now. I only used them because Addi doesn't go to US 0000. Still, I'm taking your advice and putting them onto Addi US 000 once I get it fixed. Sigh.

Lacefreak said...

Dear AlisonH,

I think it will be Ok. I just have to put it down for awhile before I go and try to fix it. I hope this is the last time I have needle failure but I get the feeling I've just been lucky up until now.

Lacefreak said...

Dear Amanda,

I'm glad it worked out for you. I'm sure it will be OK for me too. I guess that's just one of the lovely little experiences we get to have for knitting lace LOL.

Lacefreak said...

Dear Soo,

I'm going to fix it. It may not be pretty once I do it, but I will fix it :-)

Lacefreak said...

Dear Badcatdesigns,

I'm going to give it a try on Sunday when it's nice and quiet and I've had plenty of rest :-)

Lacefreak said...

Dear Terry,

I had not seen a good looking wood ruler in many years either. That's why I had to get it when I saw it :-) I got it at a local crafts fair. Unfortunately, the man who makes these does not have a web site

Phillip Van Ornum 408-910-9690

He had others things in wood but I really liked the rulers that had a variety of motifs.

Lacefreak said...

Dear GailR,

I really like wood in general and I loved this ruler. You must knit on! I will fix this and then post again when I have made more progress, never fear.

Lacefreak said...

Dear Maureen,

Phillip Van Ornum made the ruler but has no website. Only his phone 408-910-9690. I hope the lace gets done kicking my butt :-)

Lacefreak said...

Dear Littleberry,

Thanks for the vote of confidence :-) I'm really happy with how the weaving is going. I want to try a few things with the yarn stash I already have but I'm already finding that people I know will wear a woven scarf or shawl but won't wear a lace one. It's a nice way to give someone a handmade gift that will get some use :-)