The Other Beautiful Things...

I'll be the first to admit it- I don't like cheap yarn. You know the stuff- feels like plastic, squeaks on your needles, made out of acrylic, nylon, prlypropylene and polyester. If I were forced to make a decision between buying a skein of 'plastic' or walking out of a yarn store empty handed- my chequing account would be safe for another day!

But this post is not about yarn-it's about the other tool necessary for knitting NEEDLES! There are so many needles in so many shapes, sizes and materials out there. I used to think picking out luxiourious yarn was a hard decision- but I hadn't tried to pick out the perfect needles yet. Double pointed, 12' straight, 8' straight, swing needles, circular, steel, bamboo, aluminum, ivory, plastic, wood, round, square, and of course every knitter needs a crochet hook. 

Today I came across this photo. The compilation took the needle, in all it's practicality and turned it into something beautiful- something as lovely even as the yarn it helps us sculpts into garments. 

I cannot take credit for the compilation or photos. LHDUMES (flickr id) created the collage with flickr toys, and the photos were taken by the following knitters...

1. "Distance has the same effect on the mind as on the eye", 2. Untitled, 3. tools, 4. Knit (C365: day 79), 5. SOLD Vintage Metal Knitting Needles, 6. red jasper handcrafted knitting needles, 7. Knit Picks Options Knitting Needle Set - Needle/Tip Join, 8. DollNeedles, 9. www.flickr.com/photos/mayyan/398807309/, 10. Knitting Needles, 11. Vintage Plastic Knitting Needles, 12. 8/365, 13. needled, 14. Pink and Green Rosettes Handcrafted Knitting Needles, 15. Knitting Needles, 16. Hand Cast Resin Knitting Needles, 17. DSC_0037, 18. my grandma's knitting needles, 19. Untitled, 20. Knitting needles and beer steins, 21. Knitting Needles, 22. Knitting needles and beer steins, 23. colorful millefiori knitting needles, 24. weaponry, 25. knitting needles