When I think about buying something expensive, I think about how much it is going to cost per use. The more I use something, the more its cost per use goes down, the more value I'm getting from it, and therefore the more I can excuse the upfront cost.
I bought a similar set for the same reason but cannot get on with them -they’re metal and just don’t ‘feel’ right. Expensive error but I do love my Lykke fixed circulars - brilliant for magic loop, cables a bit of a pain otherwise. Oh for a tool that could interchange cables and needles from different makers
I might have to check those needles out. I have always been one to buy what a want. I’m having difficulty getting my knitting done because of my Rheumatoid Arthritis snd Scleroderma. My fingers are horrible swollen snd crooked and they hurt so much. Plus I take care of my 90+ year old parents and time runs out. I used to be able to knit all day long and I produced do many cool things. I even knit beaded purses. Now I have trouble getting anything done. I turn 70 in October and I am really feeling my age. Knitting is what keeps me going so I have to figure this out.
Thanks, Louise, for giving us a place to talk about our favorite pastime. Have a lovely day.
Oh gosh yes, saving things for best. It took me more than a year to get two fancy mugs we were given out of their boxes. Actually I have got better at this since lockdown - it started by deciding that if I had to wash my hands a zillion times a day I was going to use fancy soap. I'm still using it. I resolved that if I ever stop noticing it I'll go back to the cheap stuff, but for now it gives me a little bit of pleasure several times a day.
Spot on about the right tools and getting a good feel through our fingers. I have a stash of metal dpns ... mine and those inherited, but I’ve deserted all of them for recently bought bamboo dpns. Such a smooth and lovely feel and they glide through the yarn... just what I needed to inspire more sock knitting.
Completely agree. Hated using cotton yarn until I brought my clover armour hooks, and weaving in has become a thousand times easier since I got a selection of John James metal tapestry needles with both bent and straight tips (I do not understand why anyone every invented the plastic yarn needle, just makes the job really difficult and catches on the yarn constantly)
I always have the right ‘tools’ for knitting but it made me think about some minor kitchen tools I ‘make do’ using. Why? I could afford to buy one occasionally ‘. I too keep ‘things for best’ - note to self to use them whenever.
I totally get that - I paid what felt like an exorbitant amount for a Lexie Barnes fixed circulars organiser and every time I use it I thank past me for being a bit spendy! It's worth every penny.
I bought a set of Chiagoo minis and I use them as often as I can. As soon as I can justify the expense I shall buy a set of 'mini' larger sizes. I have a Knitpro set of interchangeables but I now find they feel too long. Those short tips have revolutionised my knitting experience. And how I can relate to 'keeping things for best', especially expensive perfume. As a result of your post I've just been in the bathroom and sprayed myself with a good blast of Serge Lutyens 'Chergui'. It's divine, but someone else needs to buy it....
I totally get this. I was given a voucher at Christmas, and decided that I was going to buy myself a new set of interchangeable needles. I keep eyeing up the Chiaogoos but part of me doesn't want to spend all that money if I fall out of love with them like I have with some of my other needles. Then I thought maybe the Addi Click would be better - I love the Addi Turbo Lace needles I have because they have sharper points than my KnitPro needles for example (Especially on those bigger sizes) but again, do I want to spend £50-60 on interchangeable needles. I finished one project last night and moved the needles I'd been using to a WIP because I knew I'd be happier with those needles than the one I'd been fighting with. I wonder about whether I can buy a pair of needles (Rather than the whole set) and a cable and give it a go - like a test drive for new knitting needles. But even then it's getting towards £20 for one pair of needles at which point I'm like that's not really worth it maybe I should just risk the full set and then return it to the shop if I really don't like them. Maybe I need to put the call out to the knitting group and see if I can borrow a pair to test drive....
Lykke needles are lovely - the ones I've seen are wooden and while nothing against wooden needles, I'm definitely a metal needle kind of gal (although one of my current sets make my hands smell like I've been playing with coins or something).
Wooden needles always seem to be a bit kinder on the hands than other types don't they. I often find that I can't knit for as long these days when I'm using metal needles
When I think about buying something expensive, I think about how much it is going to cost per use. The more I use something, the more its cost per use goes down, the more value I'm getting from it, and therefore the more I can excuse the upfront cost.
I bought a similar set for the same reason but cannot get on with them -they’re metal and just don’t ‘feel’ right. Expensive error but I do love my Lykke fixed circulars - brilliant for magic loop, cables a bit of a pain otherwise. Oh for a tool that could interchange cables and needles from different makers
I might have to check those needles out. I have always been one to buy what a want. I’m having difficulty getting my knitting done because of my Rheumatoid Arthritis snd Scleroderma. My fingers are horrible swollen snd crooked and they hurt so much. Plus I take care of my 90+ year old parents and time runs out. I used to be able to knit all day long and I produced do many cool things. I even knit beaded purses. Now I have trouble getting anything done. I turn 70 in October and I am really feeling my age. Knitting is what keeps me going so I have to figure this out.
Thanks, Louise, for giving us a place to talk about our favorite pastime. Have a lovely day.
Oh gosh yes, saving things for best. It took me more than a year to get two fancy mugs we were given out of their boxes. Actually I have got better at this since lockdown - it started by deciding that if I had to wash my hands a zillion times a day I was going to use fancy soap. I'm still using it. I resolved that if I ever stop noticing it I'll go back to the cheap stuff, but for now it gives me a little bit of pleasure several times a day.
Spot on about the right tools and getting a good feel through our fingers. I have a stash of metal dpns ... mine and those inherited, but I’ve deserted all of them for recently bought bamboo dpns. Such a smooth and lovely feel and they glide through the yarn... just what I needed to inspire more sock knitting.
Completely agree. Hated using cotton yarn until I brought my clover armour hooks, and weaving in has become a thousand times easier since I got a selection of John James metal tapestry needles with both bent and straight tips (I do not understand why anyone every invented the plastic yarn needle, just makes the job really difficult and catches on the yarn constantly)
I always have the right ‘tools’ for knitting but it made me think about some minor kitchen tools I ‘make do’ using. Why? I could afford to buy one occasionally ‘. I too keep ‘things for best’ - note to self to use them whenever.
I totally get that - I paid what felt like an exorbitant amount for a Lexie Barnes fixed circulars organiser and every time I use it I thank past me for being a bit spendy! It's worth every penny.
I bought a set of Chiagoo minis and I use them as often as I can. As soon as I can justify the expense I shall buy a set of 'mini' larger sizes. I have a Knitpro set of interchangeables but I now find they feel too long. Those short tips have revolutionised my knitting experience. And how I can relate to 'keeping things for best', especially expensive perfume. As a result of your post I've just been in the bathroom and sprayed myself with a good blast of Serge Lutyens 'Chergui'. It's divine, but someone else needs to buy it....
I love this! In product and service design we talk about ‘jobs to be done’ theory and I find it really helpful for selecting the right tool
I totally get this. I was given a voucher at Christmas, and decided that I was going to buy myself a new set of interchangeable needles. I keep eyeing up the Chiaogoos but part of me doesn't want to spend all that money if I fall out of love with them like I have with some of my other needles. Then I thought maybe the Addi Click would be better - I love the Addi Turbo Lace needles I have because they have sharper points than my KnitPro needles for example (Especially on those bigger sizes) but again, do I want to spend £50-60 on interchangeable needles. I finished one project last night and moved the needles I'd been using to a WIP because I knew I'd be happier with those needles than the one I'd been fighting with. I wonder about whether I can buy a pair of needles (Rather than the whole set) and a cable and give it a go - like a test drive for new knitting needles. But even then it's getting towards £20 for one pair of needles at which point I'm like that's not really worth it maybe I should just risk the full set and then return it to the shop if I really don't like them. Maybe I need to put the call out to the knitting group and see if I can borrow a pair to test drive....
Lykke needles are lovely - the ones I've seen are wooden and while nothing against wooden needles, I'm definitely a metal needle kind of gal (although one of my current sets make my hands smell like I've been playing with coins or something).
Wooden needles always seem to be a bit kinder on the hands than other types don't they. I often find that I can't knit for as long these days when I'm using metal needles
Using up good gifts instead of saving them for best—right on!