Tools

We carry a number of products used by knitters, weavers and spinners as well as tools and equipment for other fiber arts. Although we try to keep items in stock it always seems that there is something not here. But we will order what you want if it isn’t in the shop at the time. Large items such as looms and spinning wheels have to be ordered. We are not listing prices because they change so often on many of the items. We will be adding pictures in the future

KNITTING TOOLS

CIRCULAR NEEDLES- We encourage people to use circular needles as we feel that they are better for your hands and arms in the long run so you will find a very small selection of straight needles here.

Addi Turbos – The benchmark in circular knitting. The world famous Addi 'Turbo' needle has been a staple of professional knitters for decades. Once you knit with the 'Turbo', you will crave the speed, pliability, seamless join, and lightweight feel. Nickel plated brass tips will not tarnish, rust, or discolor. The flexible nylon join is extremely pliable, even right out of the package. Plus, all Addi circulars feature a LIFETIME guarantee! These needles range in size 000 to 47. We try to keep the 16” and 24” lengths in stock at all times, and we do stock other lengths as well.

Coming Spring 2007- Addi Lace Needles – Addi lace needles are coming in sizes 1 – 6. I have yet to try them but Skacel offers this quote, “Author/Designer/Knitter Cat Bordhi’s take on the addi Turbo Lace: At first the "bite" took some getting used to for me because I am a speed demon. But after a little while, somehow they seemed to come up to my regular speed. This was my only hesitation whatsoever about them. You really did get the point exactly right. No pain, lots of gain! I can push against it without making holes in my fingers and it gets into those tough places precisely the way I want it to. This in itself is a miracle - making me realize how much these needles needed to be developed. The join is by far the best ever. If all the needles on the market were judged by join alone, these would come out far ahead of all others, including regular Addis. I like the color of the cord - very pleasing to have it stream past me. There is something very pure about the color. The color of the brass is lovely - golden and pleasing. And I noticed quickly that they are so quiet! Practically silent - in fact, I could not hear them on the ferry. I will have to knit with them in complete silence to check. Which I shall do soon. I think they may become my sock needles of choice. In other words, I LOVE them. -Cat Bordhi www.catbordhi.com”

Denise Interchangeable Knitting Needles. –Years ago, I wanted a set of these so bad! Then my friend got one and she hated it. The connection wasn’t nice and they broke and couldn’t be fixed. When I saw that they had become available, I didn’t bite, at first! Then at market the company had us try them and they had really improved the product. Not only do I own a set and use them, we sell them. They are not my first needle of choice but they are right there after my Addis. The connivance of having a large range of sizes with me when I travel is wonderful. I don’t have to carry every needle that I own to market for example. I have my Denise set and can swatch almost any yarn that I see. They also have a refill set of more cables and connectors so you can use even more and still have some to work with. A real plus for the knitter who travels or maintains more then one residence.

Addi makes a number of double-pointed needles and we carry a number of them:

Lightweight 4" double pointed needles are great for smaller projects! Available in 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm, 3.25mm, 3.5mm, 4.5mm, 5.0mm, and 5.5mm (US 0 to 9). My personal favorites for socks.

Top notch 6" bamboo double pointed needles. Available in 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm, 3.25mm, 3.5mm, 3.75mm, 4.0mm, 5.0mm, 5.5mm, 6.0mm, 7.0mm, and 8.0mm. (US 0 to 15)

Lightweight aluminum 8" double pointed needles. Available in 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm, 3.25mm, 3.5mm, 3.75mm, 4.0mm, 4.5mm, 5.0mm, 5.5mm, and 6.0mm. (US 0 to 10)

High quality plastic double pointed needles, with 'champagne' tips. Available in 7.0mm, 8.0mm, 9.0mm, 10.0mm, and 12.0mm. (US 10.5 to 17) These are funny looking needle but they are nice to work with.

Coated with the world famous "Turbo" finish, these 8" double pointed needles are wonderful! Available in 1.25mm, 1.5mm, 1.75mm, 2.0mm, 2.25mm, 2.5mm, and 3.0mm. (US 0000 to 3)

Clover Bamboo 7” needles in sizes 0 to 15. Clover uses the part of the bamboo just under the ‘skin’ to give the correct size, hardness and toughness to meet their standards.

Crystal Palace – They have a new bamboo needle that is hardened with a natural wax treatment. We are carrying the larger sizes 10.5 to 15

Chester Farms - This is a new product from Chester Farms. A 5” fine wood needle in fine wood. So far everyone who has used them has really liked them.

Straight Needles – We carry a limited supply of straight needles and usually only in short lengths.

Crystalites – These are rather colorful acrylic needles from Susan Bates. They range in sizes 8 to 15 and I originally brought them in for the scarf knitters, but I like them! I find that they have a nice point for many yarns. They come as individuals or in sets. One set has sizes 8 through 10.5 and the other is sizes 11, 13 and 15.

CROCHET HOOKS – We carry a number of different kinds and brands of crochet hooks.

Addi Hooks – Addi makes a number of different types of hooks.

Addi Afghan (Tunisian) Hook. Extra long afghan crochet hook, in aluminum. Available in 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, and 3.5mm.

Addi’s most popular hook features color coded handles and a comfort grip handle. Available in 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm, 3.25mm, 3.5mm, 3.75mm, 4.0mm, 4.5mm, 5.0mm, 5.5mm, and 6.0mm.

A steel Hook with a comfortable handle and cap - The perfect hook for precision crochet work. These gold tipped hooks feature a cap that doubles as a sturdy handle. Available in .60mm, .75mm, 1.0mm, 1.25mm, 1.5mm, and 1.75mm.

Durable plastic hooks, with 'champagne' tips. Available in 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 12mm, 15mm, and 20mm.

A steel hook for lace - Highly durable and incredibly precise, gold tipped for added attractiveness. Available in .60mm, .75mm, 1.0mm, 1.25mm, 1.5mm, and 1.75mm.

The Addi 'Natura' line of bamboo crochet hooks are crafted from the finest bamboo in the world. These amazing hooks are the perfect addition to your collection. Available in 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm, 3.25mm, 3.5mm, 3.75mm, 4.0mm, 4.5mm, 5.0mm, 5.5mm, 6.0mm, 7.0mm, 8.0mm, 9.0mm, 10.0mm, and 12.0mm.

Turbo Condo Needle - A 32” cable with a crochet hook on one end and a knitting needle on the other.

Clover Soft Touch Hook – Lightweight and ergonomic. This crochet hook is design to make crocheting comfortable for fingers. Sizes C through J.

Crystalites by Susan Bates – I carry these because they come in sets. I have not used them. They come in the bright colors that the needles come in. One set is sizes G through K (mm 4.0 – 6.5) – 5 hooks total. The other set is sizes I through P ( mm 8 – 11.5) – 4 hooks total.

The Amazing Needle – A combination Knitting/crochet hook using a technique where you can knit and crochet in the same piece. We also carry patterns to support this tool.

Tatting Shuttles and Needles – We carry a selection of tatting shuttles and tatting needles. We also carry threads suitable for tatting as well as patterns and books for tatting. If you are someone who enjoys the look of tatting but just can’t get the hang of the shuttle, the tatting needle is very easy to use and you use the same pattern whether you tatt with a needle or a shuttle. An extra advantage of the needles is that they come big enough that you can use yarn to tatt with, making it possible to put a tatted edge on that sweater that you just knit!

Various knitting and Crochet tools – We have numerous tools for the knitter and crocheter. Some of the small tools will come from one company one time and another the next depending on what is available at any given time when we order.

Nancy’s Knit Knacks – Has a wonderful gauge that has holes for both needle and crochet hooks. Made of a sturdy plastic material this one will last a life time. ID tags for circular needles come in two sizes. Electric counters for stitches and rows. Jumbo ball winders, Niddy Noddys for spinners, And an accessory’s bag called Kneedle Kache II. You know if it comes from Nancy Knit Knacks, you are getting a quality items! They also supply Digit yarn, one of our favorite fingering weight yarns.

Clover, Boyce & Bates Tools – We get locking stitch markers, split ring markers various point protectors, cable needles, counters, stitch holders, spool knitters such as the Wonder Knitter, yarn (darning) needles, thread and yarn cutting pendants. All those lovely little gadgets that make our accessories pouches full.

Tape Measures Besides our own Playing With Yarn, small ‘tire’ tape measure, we carry sheep and bee tape measures. Fun gifts for your knitting friends.

Blocking Wires – We have blocking wires to help you block your knit or crochet items. These are wonderful tools for blocking lace but can be used with any sort of item. They come in a set with long stiff (for straight edges) and flexible (for curved edges) wires that are run thorough the edge of the garment pieces. I use them with checked gingham fabric. I have pieces of fabric in every size of checks. The fabric works as my measuring lines for blocking my pieces.

Felting Needles and Tools – Besides individual felting needles, we carry multiple needle tools from Lacis and Clover. and we carry Clover’s needle felting Matt.

Needle Cases and Knitting Project Caddies –

Circular Solutions – Two of our favorite people, although one is ‘just the sister of the boss’ ;-), They provide some of the best needle holders around plus more fun then you can imagine. Besides their famous Knitter’s License Plate, they have the circular solution, hanging needle case, The Double-points case, The Hooker for crochet hooks, straights for the unbending needles, the Port a Pocket for carrying your project around while you knit and the Knitting Nest for multiple ball projects. Easily recognized in their plain canvas color, most of the projects come in other colors too.

Happy Bags – We have these wonderful circular needle cases. Many years ago they were around by a different name and I was very excited when someone new brought them out under the new name of Happy Bags. Their are bright colored rip-cord nylon. My original one is over 15 years old and going strong. They also make the world’s best gadget bag that holds much more then you’d think.

Bag Smith - The Project Bag sits in a metal frame to hold your project. You can lift and carry it or collapse it when not in use, next to your work chair. There are 2 clear pockets with zippers on the outside and 6 clear pockets on the inside. Inside are 8 canvas pockets, the same material as the bag itself. They also make a Tool Tote that folds in half like a folder but can hang open on it’s hook. One large outside pocket can hold your pattern, while inside is another large, zippered pocket, this time clear. There is also 2 Velcro-tabbed pockets large enough for straight needles inside. Another inside pocket has snaps to provide easy access to scissors and circular needles. It is made in canvas to match the Project bag and can easily fir inside that bag.

Wool Washes – There are a number of different wool washes. We recommend hand washing your knits in one of these wool washes over other products. They are not harsh products and do not strip the natural oils from natural fibers and are not made with harsh chemicals. Some of the common-over-the-counter soaps that are advertised for wool or hand knits are actually very harsh on natural fibers. Hand spinners learn very quickly what products are suited for natural fibers. The following products were developed for hand knits and spinners. Some of them have the added magic feature on not needing to be rinsed, I don’t know the chemistry behind it just that I have seen it work.

Meadows Wool Wash – a number of ‘flavors’ available. Originally developed by a Minnesota spinner.

Eucalan - no rinsing needed

Kookaburra – rinsing optional – we also carry their wool scouring formula for cleaning raw wool.

Country Homestead – No rinsing needed.

Mouth Guard – The perfect solution to the problem of ridding wool of moths without offensive odors or dangerous chemicals. Good for your hand knit precious heirlooms, expensive wool clothing or valuable Oriental carpets. MOTH GUARD is a water based formula that is safe to human skin once applied to a garment. MOTH GUARD is the first completely odorless remedy for clothes moths. MOTH GUARD is colorless and is no allergenic. MOTH GUARD will work on all wool garments, oriental carpets, drapery and any other woolen item. And since moths like bird feathers even more than they like to eat wool MOTH GUARD can be sprayed on any feathered art object for protection without blemish.
MOTH GUARD is not an insecticide. MOTH GUARD does not kill anything. MOTH GUARD is not a petroleum product. MOTH GUARD is not perfumed. MOTH GUARD is not an insect repellent. Originally packaged in large containers the company has packaged small packages suitable for up to 20 sweaters for yarn stores. Until it is dry, it is harmful to people and pets so needs to be used with normal care.

Fiber Dyes - Country Classic dyes for animal fibers and other dyes for plant fibers.

Hand Lotions and Creams – Both Udder Cream and Gloves IN A Bottle will keep your hands soft while you work with fibers. They are both suitable for fiber people as they leave no greasy residue to harm your fibers.

We have the usual Royal Ball Winderthat is plastic and suitable for most general ball winding. We also carry the Jumbo ball winder made by Nancy Knit Knacks.

Spinning and Weaving Equipment and Tools - We carry supplies and materials for spinning and weaving. It is by no means a complete selection but weavers and spinners are so personalized about what they want and how they do things that it is hard for us to have a complete line. We will be happy to try and order supplies for you if we can. We carry some roving and when we can get it fleeces. We also carry books and magazines on weaving and spinning.

Louet We are dealers for Louet looms and spinning wheels. We can also get support materials for weavers and spinners from Louet.

Beka Rigid Heddle Looms – The Minnesota made Beka Rigid Heddle Loom are great looms for the entry level weaver. They don’t take much room and are priced right.

Weavette Looms – We carry the little hand-held Weavette Looms.

Harrisville – We are suppliers for Harrisville looms. We also carry many of the Harrisville Award-winning looms and fiber craft supplies from Harrisville. These include the Peg Loom, the Back-strap Loom and the Potholder Loom.

There are a number of small hand held looms available, many of them come as kits. They include the Small Kumihimo Kit from Hamihimo, Lacis’ Braiding Board Kit (another Kumihimo loom) and The Lacis’ Square Loom (similar to the Weave-it). These small looms all sell for under $20.

Buttons and Braids I love buttons and braids! Our braids come from Sweden and include many traditional Swedish braid patterns. As for buttons, I’m a button collector and lover from way back. We carry buttons from a number of sources as well as some made by local artists. We also have some lovely shawl pins and besides those that come from far away, some are made by local people. When you stop by, don’t forget to check out our buttons. I have to justify having such a large button inventory, help me out!