Monday, November 30, 2009

pin cushion

tapestry needle holder-business card-2

For over two years this business card was my pin cushion. One day, my son asked, if there was not something invented to stick the needles in to. I said, sure, it's called pin cushion, which he knew of course. Until that moment, I haven't ever thought about making one for my tapestry needles. Luckily I saw this lovely pattern on ravelry, most colorful, and eye popping.

pincushion side A with tapestry needles

That day, I had some left over Noro Silk Garden on my coffee table, so I grabbed it, printed out the patter and set to work. That was back in May. I seem to remember that for me, the pattern was not crystal clear written, but I got it anyway, through trail and error. Anyway, I really love how it turned out. Especially that it has two sides, both nice. I'm tickled with the Edelweiss buttons.

pincushion side B

I would have liked to tuck the sections more tightly, but you just can't with that yarn. Still, I'm quite happy with it.

pincushion side A

pattern: by Liselotte Weller
yarn: Noro Silk Garden, 0.75 ball, don't know the colorway
hook: 3.5mm
size: large, 10 rounds
start and finish: May 26

This weekend I've been knitting quite obsessively on the Johanna shawl.

afternoon tea with chocolate covered swiss cookies and Johanna shawl
Afternoon tea with Swiss chocolate covered cookies, knitting away on Johanna.

It's finished now, just blocking. Hannah requested another "you snag" wrist warmers in black for herself, and the only other thing on my needles right now is my cardigan.

Garter Yoke Cardi, first sleeve halfway

I'm on the first sleeve. There is nothing more annoying than knitting a sleeve in the round, while the rest of the cardi is hanging like a sack of potatoes on it, and after every row you have to untwist the whole thing. Needless to say, it's slow going. After about an inch of knitting, I put it away and do something else. I might finish it this year, or not.

19 comments:

  1. I love that knitted pincushion, I have sewn some that are exactly the same construction, except you use 6 strands of embroidery thread to make the sections. That pulls them in really tightly!!! Glad you don't have to use a business card any more!!!

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  2. I love your pincushion! When you're knitting sleeves in the round, if you turn the work the opposite direction every other round it won't require you to untwist the whole sweater. Turn one round clockwise and the next one counterclockwise. The sweater body will sit on your lap without having to twist the whole thing.

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  3. That is the prettiest pin cushion I've ever seen!
    I have a sweater in the same stage - twirling around for the sleeves...it has been in progress since last March :-)

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  4. Y'know, I don't have a pincushion, either. We used to develop film where I work (now film cameras are dinosaurs -- our machines broke and are now part of the landfill, not worth fixing any more) so my needles are in a film canister. I've also got a couple of film canisters that house buttons. :)

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  5. You have made a beautiful pin cushion! A new pin cushion is also on my to-do-list, but some how it's easier to knit shawls and sweaters than little and quick projects, weird...

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  6. LOVE the pincushion. so very clever and the buttons really make it-
    I don't like the sweater twisting in my lap either. so uncomfortable and distracting

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  7. Love the pin cushion, colors, buttons and all.

    I understand about the hot sweater in your lap. That's why my fair isle sweater is still in the bag and with my Tangled Yoke cardigan is on the back burner. Hot sweater + hot lap = hot flash - and who wants that?!

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  8. The pin cushion looks great. I need one too!

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  9. Your pincushion is ADORABLE!!!! And so are those Swiss Chocolate Cookies... roll on tea time :)

    A sweater for you???? I remember your barn jacket - I hope you are easier to please this time ;)

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  10. I love the pin cushion you made. The pattern seems to be only in Danish. Do you have an English translation? I'd love to make one but I don't read Danish!!

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  11. These pincushion is adorable!! That's a great idea, think I'm going to make ones for me...

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  12. Great pincushion. did you get the English translation from my blog? Because if it is written badly I would gladly try to fix it.

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  13. Das sind besonders schöne Nadelkissen und die Edelweißknöpfe sind das i-Tüpfelchen dazu.
    Lecker sind die Schoki aus!

    Liebe Grüße von Herbstgold

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  14. Such a lovely pincushion! I've just made my first one with fabric - I hadn't thought of a yarny one! The Noro makes yours extra special, though, and the buttons are perfect.

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  15. Your old pincushion card was pretty cool but your new one is definitely a beauty

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  16. I love the cushion and the button!

    Can you tell me what Danish blog has the pin cushion pattern? Maybe someone will translate it.

    Thanks.

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  17. Hi Monika -

    Grab a big bowl (glass, steel, plastic, as long as it's smooth) and put it on your lap with the knitting in the bowl.

    Then you just spin the bowl around to untwist your knitting. Sorry I'm so late catching up with you blog :)

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