On the Needles - 12/27/13

Last On The Needles post for 2013 - Wow!!!

It's been a fun year for me, getting reacquainted with knitting and adding this fun, relaxing hobby to my daily enjoyment.

I really want to thank both Judy and Denise for sharing their excitement and encouragement.... if not for them, I would NEVER have dared believe I could make a pair of socks, much less Dreambird or Cloud Illusions!  Today I have 4 pairs of socks under my belt - whoohoo!!!!

I really don't have a lot to share today with regard to projects in progress.  Most of what I have been working on this week are gifts that are still not gifted, so I can't show them yet :(  Other than gifts, I've only added a few rows to these very-much-desired red socks this past week since switching them out to DPN's instead of circulars....

But I DO want to share some new toys!!!!

For Christmas, I asked for a set of interchangeable circular needles so I don't have to buy a new pair of needles every time I start a project.  I chose these Dreamz needles because I can add any size cord to the set (three sizes came with it already), and I LOVE the different colors for each size!!!

I'm really, really excited about this new set of needles!!!  I enjoy working with wood needles - they tend to hug the stitches better so I don't drop all my stitches when I lose my grip on a needle :*O  (I'm sure that never happens to you, but it happens to me all the time LOL!)  However, I've found that they have to be good quality needles or else they end up being too "grabby" and the yarn doesn't move smoothly along the needles.  And the cheap brands don't have nice, sharp points either.  I've done several projects with Dreamz needles and have been very happy.  The reviews were mostly positive on these - I'll let you know my opinion as soon as I can begin using them :*)

I also added a Yarn Swift to my tool box.  Knit Picks offered a great sale with free shipping on this one a couple weeks ago so I snapped it up....

But the BEST toy under the Christmas tree was 

a SURPRISE from Hubby.....

A Kindle Paperwhite!!!!!

Love the "Honey" color cover my Honey chose :*)
Of course, it was only natural to name her Honey!

This little beauty is WONDERFUL!!!  It's lightweight and small, with a screen that allows me to read anywhere - outside on a sunny day, in my car, on the beach.  It easily fits in my purse or a knitting bag.  This picture will give you an idea of its size compared to the iPad....

It's also much, much lighter in weight and easier to hold

Why would I want to put it in my knitting bag, you ask?  Well, I had no idea how handy this little tool can be for knitting until my hubby started looking at everything it can do.... look at this!

I can download any PDF to the Kindle - so my patterns are right there in this little handy-dandy device, any time I need them.....

And I don't have to lug around this huge project notebook anymore!  It's bulky and doesn't fit in my knitting bag and won't stay open to the page I want..... It was a way to carry my patterns all in one place, but I wasn't thrilled with it.  Now it can go away!!!

And by the way, this is true of quilting patterns, or recipes.... the possibilities are endless!!!

Oh, yes!  As my husband is fond of reminding me, 

I got spoiled BIG-TIME this Christmas!!!

And ......have I mentioned lately my BESTEST Christmas present??????  

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Our newest grandson, Cooper, taking his first snooze on his quilt I made for him - Tranquility...

Awwwwwwwwww......... ♥♥♥

I'm looking forward to lots of yarn fun in 2014!

How about you?

Share your projects with us at Patchwork Times!!!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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