That is the best idea ever! I have a copy of Mason Dixon on the way from Amazon and have a THOUSAND old T shirts (I am a HS teacher, a blood donor, I have far too many T shirts...), I see a rug in my future!

Thanks for the advice! It's good to know that the thing I most wanted to do is within my grasp as a first project.

Progress will be noted. After the big knitting project is knocked out, it shall be veggies!

Ok, I am inspired by the Sublime Stitching patterns and want to learn to embroider.

I have bookmarked the relevant "learn to" sites.

I have the Veggie pattern and plan to try tea towels, but before I do: is this an easy pattern for a beginner?

What advice would you give to someone who is starting from embroidery ground zero?

Can anyone enlighten me on how you'd knit a V pattern? I have this vision of a scarf whose ends come to a point. I have googled my fingers off and can't find anything.

Would love any help you all can give!

hey, Toyshirts, share your melting info here if you don't mind. I ended up buying a 29" set today for $2. The package for these cheap circulars didn't have the length on them so I had to have JoAnn open them just to measure them.

Anyhow, I would love to learn to shorten my circulars. It sounds like a good temporary fix.

I looked the Boye set up and it says the smallest loop you can make is a 20". What about the others? And what is this magic loop of which you speak?

I am just a caveman circular knitter and I am frightened and confused by your ways...

No, really, this is helpful and it's nice to know that it's not just me.

Why is it so hard to get shorter (16" or 10") circular needles at discount craft stores? I have quick access to Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Hancock's, and Wal Mart and just made a drive to the nearest JoAnn Fabric. None of them carry anything smaller than a 29". JoAnn lady (let's call her JoAnn) told me that it was "such a specialty item that they probably wouldn't ever carry them".


Is this insane or is it me? Every hat pattern I have seen calls for some needle smaller than 29". I did break down and spend more at my LYS and was happy to give her my business, but are the smaller needles that special?

Thanks to both of you! Knitting and crochet have been so theraputic for me that I tend to think that revisiting her old hobby will be gratifying for her also. I found some chenielle in my stash that I plan to use to build on her old slipper pattern ("I love those slippers you always made us! Don't you think it would be great in this really soft yarn?") and give her some snazzy dishcloth patterns to build on what she already does.

I just want the giving aspect of working with her hands to help her look outside herself. And you're right, the time with her is probably the most important factor.

Keep it coming! Pattern or project ideas are welcome along with similar stories or tips.

Yay! Hooray! Love the free patterns and have already composed a brief hymn to my favorite yarn.

Here's a question about the intersection of yarn and human relations.

My Granny is getting old. As she does, it seems she is slipping into a depression (to be expected). She is recovering from knee replacement this Christmas and complained to me before the holiday that she couldn't afford gifts for anyone this year. I told her what a big hit my simple knitted dishcloths were suggested she make up some simple gifts. She has always crocheted, but nothing very creative. I told her I would be happy to download patterns for her anytime. If she started now, she'd have a great stash by next December! She responded with noises like "Eehhh" and "Uhhhh" and was generally ambivalent.

Since then, I have loaned her my "Idiot's Guide to Knitting and Crochet" and though she thumbs through it, I can't tell if this really interests her. I really think if she crocheted for charity and gifts, she'd be able to experience some joy and it might give her a boost. I am planning a notebook of patterns, along with some of my yarn stash and perhaps a couple of new skiens thrown in. I really want this to be a loving "pick yourself up" experience for her.

Any other ideas to help? Has anyone else used knitting/crochet as therapy for the elderly? Or can anyone else just give me a sympathetic head nod? Suggestions would be great! I am going to start gathering things for her after the holiday rush.