My Adventures with Double-Pointed Needles

Ever since I learned how to knit with double-pointed needles, I have thought they are awesome.  I like watching people’s expressions when I pull out a dpn project.  Half-finished gloves and socks look pretty funny with needles sticking out all over.  My adventure with dpns began in August of 2007.  I had been knitting for five months, and I loved learning new skills.  I had discovered that the yarn aisles at craft stores sometimes have free patterns.  One of the free patterns I had was for making baby hats, and my cousin was having a baby soon.  My only obstacle was to learn how to use dpns.

I went to the library and perused some knitting books, studying the explanations and pictures.  After I felt like I had a pretty good grasp of how it works, I went home to try it.  I will never forget my first day of experimenting with dpns.  I had a cat who had been my friend for 14 years.  She was suffering from liver failure and had to be put to sleep.  Our last afternoon at home together, I sat next to her and knitted while she slept.

I didn’t get that baby hat started before I went back to college, but while hanging out with my friends I did begin a pair of mittens for my sister’s Christmas present.  This was my first circular project.  I learned that when you knit stockinette stitch in the round, the right side is on the inside.  This project was also my first time using markers and stitch holders.  After Christmas I finally made that baby hat.

My next project was different.  I had graduated from college and moved back home, and my boyfriend and I were long-distance.  For Valentines’ Day I knit him a teddy bear and mailed it to him.  All the limbs were made separately on dpns, stuffed, and then sewn together, complete with embroidery for his face.  My boyfriend slept with him the rest of the semester.

The following winter I was working in a bank drive-up in Minnesota, and my hands got pretty cold, so I knit myself fingerless gloves.

The winter after that we were married, and I made my first pair of socks.

I then made gloves for my husband’s birthday.  (You can see the finger in progress and the others on stitch holders.)

I also made several tiny items.  In December of 2009 I made Christmas tree ornaments as presents for my family, and the next fall I made a little pumpkin and acorns.

Mini mittens

Snowmen Albert and Franklin

 I have been using dpns for over 3 years now, and I still have trouble with ladders (small gaps in between the needles).  I have heard the magic loop method is the solution for this, and I am interested in learning it because I am always eager to add to my knowledge of knitting techniques, but I don’t think I could ever completely give up dpns.  They are too much fun.

My current collection of dpns: sizes 8-000