Oh, Joan, you lovely lady, you!
I walked into Judy's Ice Cream for Open Knit last Thursday to find a happy little pressie waiting for me at my usual spot:
All sweet, no sour.
Peeking out of the top of the tissue were two very different sets of needles - one set square and sophistocated, one set round and rustic.
Both sets the epitome of all I adore!
Set #1: Square and Sophisticated
Size 11 in Ebony with funky silver beads at the end.
Set #2: Round and Rustic
Size 8 in an unnamed wood with a small amount of bark left on the end. (No, they don't glow - they were just really difficult to photograph.)
The contrast between these two styles just make me so happy, and I can't wait to use them! They were made by hand, inspired by materials available to the crafter, and gifted to a highly appreciative recipient.
It doesn't get much better than that.
Now, I have made one small error in telling you about these needles. I called them "needles". Joan calls them "sticks", and here is her description of why as it appears on each tag:
I don't label these "needles" because they are individually made and each is unique. They are hand shaped, hand sanded, then hand buffed with beeswax for smoothness. I use hardwood scraps from woodworkers and repurposed fabric for the cases. Four sided needles are based on the perimeter, and labeled as the closest size to standard round needles...
You can find more of Joan's work at River City, and each set is priced very closely to what you would pay for a factory-made set at a box store. Given the thought and time and effort that goes into them, these would be my go-to needles (I mean, sticks!) every time.
All I need now is a project to go with them!
