Knitting requires 2 knitting needles to loop a yarn through them. The knitter needs to have fingers, of course, to hold the needles.. That’s it?
NO, not at all…far from it, actually. Knitting full time over the past 7 years has shown me that a knitter, at times, is only as good as her tools and materials. The right tools can make a significant difference to the output, I have realised.
Take the case for using quality circular knitting needles..A good set of circular knitting needles need to have a smooth junction between the needle and the cord, as well as a cord which does not coil or curl at the wrong time. Circular needles help to keep the stitches flat and free, making it easy to see the patterns emerge without worrying about fallen stitches and heart ache. Circular needles have allowed our knitters to take their goats for grazing, escort the kids to school, pick up loads of firewood on their heads, and keep knitting. No needles falling on the wayside, no stitches falling off the knitting, no reprimands on Wednesday either ( from me).
Materials can make or break the knitter…
Some of the yarns which “break” our ladies would include that cone of pashmina which can be seen nestling next to that green cake of wool. Cotton yarns, especially the naturally dyed cotton thread used for our indigo wraps, brings out every possible excuse ( from headaches to tingling hands) under the sun. Knitters have to be careful about keeping their knitting clean and far from the usual household chaos of jumping kids, sniffing dogs or inquisitive goats…pure wool and cotton yarns are notoriously good at getting stains, becoming smelly, and being prima donnas.
And the yarns which “make” their day? That has to be three work-horse yarns which we use from GangaAcrowools. Giggles/Cuddly, Microknit, and GSP yarns bring back smiles and laughter into the knitting circle. The knitters know their gauge with these fibres, there are no worries about eyes getting strained, or hands getting chaffed or yarns getting dirty. Completed knitwear is finished, cleaned and blocked easily…
Couldn’t resist concluding with this picture of our ever vigilant guard, Mili. She takes care of our packed knitwear, keeps a look out for any stray biscuits from the tea tray, and grabs a cuddle or two whenever she finds a knitter taking a break from her needles and yarn.