Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Today's post is of an amazing tale. An account of desperation, betrayal, and the fragility of life. Please heed my words and spread them to all in every corner of the planet.

However, in yesterdays post I promised to explain to those who wanted to know about the upcoming fiber arts festival in Madrona. So, I'll begin with a bit of news about the show then launch into my story.

What exactly is Madrona?

Madrona = lots of fiber packed fun.

From February 14th through the17th at the Hotel Murano (formerly the Sheraton), in Tacoma Washington, thousands of fiber-hungry knitters will gather to buy and sell yarn and learn new knitting techniques from the biggest names in knitting/crocheting/spinning/hand dyeing in an annual fiber arts festival.

Wanna take a class? The big names teaching classes include: Nancy Bush, Judith MacKenzie McCuin, Lucy Neatby, Evelyn Clark, Paula Schull, Ruth Sorenson, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (also known as Fiber-ho' to her friends), Blah Blah-blah, and Yadda Yadda-yadda. Too late to register though because all the classes are full. (What? You think no one else wants to take classes from cool teachers?)

There will be a mash of vendors proffering their wares and Knit Purl is one of them. We'll have Kauni (fifteen colors!), Hanne Kits, and all sorts of goodies.

If you need some more fiber in your diet, uh... stash, I recommend that you go.

Now for my story. Last night, while studying with friends at one of my favorite watering holes, the most mind-blowing thing happened...

Just as a butterfly struggles to free itself from a chrysalis, I witnessed a transformation of epic proportions. The procedure was brutal and not one for the faint of heart.

My companions' astonishment matched my own as they too stood dumbfounded at the end of it all. Frankly, I'm still shaking from the adrenaline rush. Excuse me for a moment. I feel I might need to lay quietly in a dark room for a few minutes until I regain my composure.

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Prepare yourself for shocking news. This is your last chance to turn back and I encourage you to do so because your life as you know it will change with this knowledge. Last night at approximately 9pm Pacific standard time, Knathan, a honest and diligent assisant to new knitter Jen (not seen at left), attempted to end it all.










I know, I know. I'm struggling right now as I type these words. How could Knathan do such a thing? Shock had poor Jen reeling and all anyone could say to her at the end of it was "It'll all work out", "We'll help you through this ordeal", and "Stay strong". Pitiful words of support considering the ramifications of Knathan's terrifying actions. We understand now that Knathan, a Crystal Palace US size 10 needle, unhappy with its role in the knitting world, decided to end life by plunging tip first into a candle flame rather than to face another stitch. As you can see on the left, I managed to get in a few grainy shots with my camera phone. The first shot shows the candle and the second was taken moments after the "episode". The bottom photo is of the note Knathan left behind for Jen. It says: "Now I'm a pencil". Doesn't it just break your heart?

If we had only known of the pain, we could have offered words of advice or encouragement. Someone would have beamed light in the darkness along the path to professional help. Jen was in the middle of a Peruvian Tweed scarf in checkerboard stitch when it happened. So startling was the event, at one point I found myself pointing and screaming "No! NOOOOO! DON"T DOOOO ITTTT!!!!" as I watched Knathan dive with four and a half feet of scarf trailing behind. I'm seriously going to double down on my anti-anxiety meds today.

Amazingly, Jen had the wherewithal to pull Knathan back from the fire but Knathan will forever show the scars of the episode. For those of you worried about the knitting, no injuries were sustained and the yarn ball, 117, wants everyone to know of its gratitude. I saw Jen and 117 this morning and in simple eloquent words the Peruvian tearfully stated, "I thank my lucky stitches for those who aided in my escape from certain doom. I will forever be in their debt. They are my guardian angels."

Don't worry I sobbed as well. Let us all take a few moments to think about the fragility of life while those of us with more tender souls compose themselves in their happy places.

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The world is a cruel place to those who seem different, to those who just don't fit into society's idea of "beauty". We learned Knathan has always felt like a pencil trapped in a knitting needle's body and wanted to undergo reassignment surgery but couldn't face peers and didn't know how to break the news to Jen. Confused and alone, drastic measures seemed like the only recourse.

I'm happy to announce Knathan, now Paul Pencil, is doing well and with one more surgery to insert lead, will lead a full and happy life full of lists, letters, and doodles, and maybe one day even drawings. We have all learned from this experience and we are dedicated to promote a more positive support network. I encourage everyone to extend a loving attitude full of acceptance to crochet hooks and knitting needles no matter if they are straight or circular. Finally, to those struggling to find their place in society, I say:

You are so beautiful.

Edited to add: Dame Catherine of the H.I.P.P.Y's has pointed out it was she who braved the fire and rescued Knathan, er Peter, from danger. Dame Catherine risked her life and we should all laud Dame Catherine for her quick thinking and cat like reflexes. So yell it like you mean it boys and girls:

All hail Dame Catherine! Hail! Hail! Hail! We love you even though you have a serious God complex! Hail!

True Plies: To The Point

The products up for review this week? Six different brands of DPNs used for sock knitting. Admittedly, Knit Purl doesn't carry most of these needles, but they all deserve to be reviewed just the same. The ones with asteriks* are brands we offer for sale. To keep this fair and unbiased, we'll look at each of these products in alphabetical order.

Brittany Birch 5" DPNs

I like these needles because they're made in California, using sustainably harvested Birch wood. They come in 3 lengths and a variety of sizes. For the purposes of this review, we're going to focus on the sock sizes (US 0 - 3). Personally, I don't use the smaller gauge Brittany needles for socks. I tend to knit tightly and worry incessantly about breaking them. But, I love the smoothness, softness, and ecological qualities of this product and use them for lace and baby garments instead. I must admit that the Brittany's are guaranteed, without exception, for 10 years. And have known more than one knitter to take advantage of their exchange policy. That said, Brittany DPNs can only be a good investment.

Clover Bamboo 5" DPNs

These needles are perfect for wooden needle enthusiasts. Smooth but not slick and incredibly durable (don't ask how I know this), these are great for beginning sock knitters and the more experienced who prefer to take things slowly. The type of bamboo the company uses tends to be very strong and withstands most attempts at bending or warping (you don't want to know how I know that either). Clover DPNs come in 2 different lengths, 5" and 7". For sock knitting, I prefer the shorter needles, but know of some sock knitters that like the longer needles. To each their own.

Crystal Palace Bamboo 6" DPNs*

Direct from the Japan, as well, these needles are tough but a little more springy than their Clover cousins. While Crystal Palace offers two DPN lengths, the 8" needles aren't feasible for sock knitting in my experience. Maybe Christmas stockings... Anyway, I really like the fact that these are slicker and have a more tapered point than the Clovers. I'd have to recommend these for intermediate sock knitters, just because of how slippery they can be.

Kinki Amibari Bamboo 6" DPNs

KA needles are different from the Crystal Palace and Clover lines. These are definitely my favorite bamboo needles of all time. But, be warned, they're very slick and incredibly pointy. I've gotten wounded from these things. They come in 3 lengths but, like the Crystal Palace DPNs, only one length (6") is useful to sock knitters. They're made from 3 select breeds of Japanese bamboo that don't have to be polished or varnished, and for good reason since varnish would probably slow these speed-demons down. My only complaint with them is how bendy these are and, for tight knitter, easy to permanently warp.

Knit Picks Nickel-plated 6" DPNs

Shiny and sharp. Specially designed for sock knitters at 6" long, these are niiice. There are 8" DPNs available, but only in larger gauges. Very much like a metal version of the KA's, these are great for speedy knitters who don't worry about dropping stitches. Still, I'd recommend a point protector for these, so they don't poke holes in your knitting bag!

Lantern Moon Sox Stix 5" DPNs*

Elegant and stylish, these are the luxury needles of the knitting world. Handmade by a Vietnamese co-op, using only the finest materials, Sox Stix are more than worth their elevated price. I've met many a knitter who has sworn off all other DPNs but their Lantern Moon beauties. The only concern I can relate is for tight knitters, these lovelies can and will snap. Luckily, Lantern Moon guarantees all their products and will exchange any faulty merchandise, free of charge. These needles will always be worthwhile, when one considers the quality and economic factors of the company that makes them.

As you can see, there are many, many options available to sock knitters. In fact, I only touched on the more common and popular needles intentionally. If I hadn't... well, just imagine how long this review would have been! Rest assured, each of these needles is a good buy and they will serve you well - so long as you take into consideration your wants and needs.

Happy knitting!

Next week?, I'll let you know how I'm liking a Very Special Yarn.