Faster than 299,792,458 meters/seconds
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Well almost. It sure was quick though!
Do you remember when I mentioned placing my very first Knit Picks order? (See 27 Nov 2008 post) I was extremely disappointed to find the one item I was looking forward to playing with ASAP turned out to be on back order.... until Dec 23rd! That would be the Nickel Plated DPN set. The website did not mention anything about a back order when I placed the order last week. Everything else appears to have been shipped.
On the flip side, I was pleasantly surprised to find a box from them today. I was expecting them to take much longer with the order. It wasn't the entire order (minus the DPN set). I guess they are shipping the rest of the items separately.
This is what I received in the box today. It is the Knit Picks Options nickel plated interchangeable circular needle set.
This is what I found when I opened up the plastic bag. The bag on the left is the storage bag. The small square one at the top is for the cables.
These are the needle tips. All bound with some loose elastic to a piece of cardboard. I'm not sure if you can see the size markings on the cardboard. It would seem to me that the best place to keep the needles would be on this cardboard so that you know what size needle tip you have. Unfortunately the cardboard does not fit into the organizer bag. Hmmm. I guess I will just have to remove all the needle tips and place each size in its own pocket in the organizer bag.
I did order a needle gauge, it hasn't arrived yet. I guess the needle gauge will live in the organizer bag so I can verify needle size.
Turn that package over and you'll find the cables and some mysterious objects which I have yet to figure out. However I can already tell that there is high likelihood for losing small parts. Need to figure something out to minimize that potential.
I guess I need to find out what other owners of the KP Options set do to keep everything organized...
Shirley's Mom recently passed away after a battle with cancer, and her younger sister is
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One good way to keep up with needle sizes is to use a different color of nail polish on the ends. In order to remember which color is which, I like to also put each nail polish color and the size on an index card and store it with the needles or on a cork board.
Just a suggestion!
I used a label maker to stick little labels on the pockets and I keep the little parts in a snack size ziplock. The disks are end caps so you can use them like straights and you knitting won't fall off the end. The little wire piece is like a screw driver to screw down the needle tips (there's a little hole at the bottom of all the needle tips). I'm always checking that they're not unscrewing them selves :( Other than that, I love them!
I bought some of the 2-section divided plastic 'pages' that KP sells, and I put them in a disused 5"x8" 3-ring binder I had. The holes line up in an offset sort of way, but it works. Then I used a Sharpie marker to write the different needle sizes (mm & US) on the flat end-cap buttons that come with the cords. I put each size needle tips in one of the 2 sections and a button to indicate the size. When the needle tips aren't in their page, I refer to my Nancy's Knit Knack's needle gauge.
I don't have the dpns, which wouldn't fit in my system. But I really like J Lange's idea of different colors of nail polish put right on the metal needles.
I do have the interchangeable Harmony needles, but did not buy the set, just purchasing the tips as I need them, so I keep them in the original package that they came in ( just like the Addi Turbo Lace circulars that I have). My heart goes out to the family that lost their Mother to cancer. One of the women that I had knitted some of your hats for had lost her battle with lung cancer as well. I had used only luxury yarns for her and she loved wearing them, I even splurged on the softest cashmere (her favorite) and the most beautiful Merino wool, some in silk and a couple in cotton. She had a variety to wear to match different outfits. I always keep my needle gauge in my knitting bag as many of my needles do not have sizes on them so I use it often. I have a 3 ring binder that is encased in leather, it has lots of room for patterns and notions.
I have these and like them very much. They're pointy and I like that. The Harmony wood is also excellent. There's somewhat of a quality problem...sometimes the threading on the needle tips or on the chord-connection strips easily. Also, I've had the chords pull out of the stainless steel housing. So far, KnitPicks has been excellent about replacing parts when I call. It's getting around to calling (I feel petty asking for a new chord or needle) that's problematic.
I bought the notebook they sell to keep the set in. It has various size plastic pages for storing different things. I keep the tips by size in their pocket pages in it and write the size in Magic Marker on each one.
I have yet to own any.Hugs Darcy
I used nail polish on my dpn when I got a whole bunch of unpackaged ones at a yardsale. Matched them all up, and used different colours. However, I never thought to make a 'key card' so I'd know what sizes each colour were, and with use, the polish can wear off. Make sure to use very different colours, nothing too similiar! On the larger cable needles that aren't marked, I've used a fine point Sharpee. It's worn off a bit, but perhaps a bit of clear nailpolish over it would help.
I have never ordered anything from KP. I've tried several times to get a catalogue, but they can't even seem to get that to me, even after an email from customer service that said they mailed me one that day. Makes me a little leary to actually order something. But I really want new needles...
I love my KnitPicks options and also buy them in the wood as well. I keep the tips in their original packs which have the size noted on them. I didn't buy the full set so can't help you there. I like the little wire key but have never used the big purple circles. I also love your get rid of 50 things idea - I'm on it!
Ooo new toys!
I think Amazon does that too -- ships the items as quickly as possible even if it's multiple packages. They don't charge you more for shipping though, which is great.
I do not own that set, I own another set and if they are similar to mine, the big purple things are used as follows: Let's say you're in the middle of a big project using a size 8 and you need to put it aside to do another quick project. You put the purple things on the end of the wire/cable and it keeps your project intact until you put the needles back on. I have used it a couple of times and they are useful. If you learn a way to pause time I am all for it...
I'm so happy you got the Options! You'll love them. I bought the black notebook, and kept the tips in the original cardboard. I punched holes in the cardboard and cut the edges so that it would fit nicely in the black binder. I finally restrung the elastic with a larger gauge elastic, as it was disintegrating. Now the tips are snug again. I keep extra tips in the 3 pocket plastic dividers, in their original cardboard, again, cut to fit, and I mark the sizes with a Sharpie on the cardboard. Love it!
I just got those too!
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