As you know, I have been chipping away at my Kidsilk Haze mountain, knitting the “Lacy Top with four sleeves”. That part is all “good”!
The “bad” part was that I was getting very frustrated with all the yarnovers and my ancient, blunt metal needles -I’ve tried wood and bamboo with KSH – it doesn’t work for me.
Another “good” part is that Santa (looking surprisingly like Ben) bought me a fabulous gift for Christmas. 😀
A set of “fabby” custom made, Signature knitting needles with Stiletto points!! 😛
They are things of great beauty. The spiral ends catch the light when twirled and the points are perfectly proportioned for stabbing at Kidsilk Haze! 😎
Here’s some needle porn, close-ups (better pics on the signature site though!)…
I’m not going to rewrite the Signature website here and give you all the details about them but I must say I am extremely please with my Christmas prezzie. Click the link and have a drool at the needles…I dare you! 😉
There’s also a well argued review of these needles here at Knitter’s Review.
One note of concern though – I have the set of the smaller sizes which are great. As the gauge of needle increases, so does the spiral, bell or teardrop end. After holding a friend’s large gauge signature needle, I’d have reservations about the weight of the larger sizes, especially on longer needles. Just something to think about if you’re tempted.
I’ve done the third sleeve now…onward with the lacy top!
Are you ever lucky! What a fab Christmas gift. I bought myself the # 9 US stiletto with the teardrop (lighter) end, and am pleased with it. I want to try the middy point though. It is as sharp as the stiletto, but with a shorter tip. Why would anyone want a blunt needle? I can’t figure out what they’re good for?
Oh my, they do look RATHER nice! I mustn’t drool, I mustn’t . Like I need any new needles when I have only been knitting 6 months and already have huge chunks of the Knitpicks Harmony Options set…… but they look so nice…… Ah well, maybe in a few years. Have fun with your new needles. Can’t wait to see what projects they produce.
Hi Beverlyanne,
I couldn’t agree more about the blunt needles – why???!! I wonder how may blunt ones Signature sell compared to the stilettos??
I perhaps should have blogged it – I have one set of the middy point – they are great too. If I go any larger I’ll probably get the middy as the length of the tapering point gets longer as the gauge goes up too and it might get too long and tapering for me as I knit quite close to the end of the needle.
Susan
ooooh they are beautiful,What lovely colours I hope you have them on display!
Well I have been reading your blog for a while and not commented as I am not so hot on words but the signature needles made me oh how lovely they are you have a wonderful hubby to give you such a nice gift they are on my wish list for this christmas how ever I did get a Gordanna Paige knitters satchel from my hubby so that’s ok as I type I am drooloing badly lol Helen.
Oh, I want some. 3.25mm stiletto tips would probably be a sound investment for the Marianne Kinzel Arabesque stole I’ve got in my Rav queue (does that sound convincing/like a good reason to get some?).
Here’s a suggestion for something else you might consider trying for your lacey/mohair projects – Knit Picks Harmony wood needles. Personally, I like to use the circulars (because you can always have a lace project stuffed in your handbag ready for any downtime!), and they have nice pointy tips, even at larger sizes. I find the laminated birch just right for me for lace – and they aren’t too expensive either. I haven’t tried their straights yet, but they are available. And they are such cool colours!
Oooooo, aaaahhhh aren’t the lovely! I will add 4mm to my birthday list immediately!