My Gadget Bag
I listened to a knitting podcast this week that was about what tools, gadgets and such the knitter/podcaster carried with her. So I looked into my gadget bag, that I transfer from tote to tote, always with whatever project I am immediately working on.
I spread my stuff out on my coffee table, just to see what’s there, and what I should add. She said she carried blunt-nosed “kiddie” scissors, and that’s a great idea. I do have a safe “pendant-style cutter” that hangs from the strap of the currently-in-use knitting bag, but all the small scissors I currently own are sharply pointed, acquired back in my embroidery days. I don’t carry them. They’d tear up the plastic bag and inevitably, me!!
GadgetBag, originally uploaded by Petunia509.
So here’s the stuff I carry, stowed away in a clear plastic bag I picked up in Claire’s at the mall. It was cheap, and then, on sale, when I bought it; maybe cost me $2. (On the left, a set of 3 fragrant candles, a Christmas gift that smells so nice) At the top, a wee tape measure, and beside it in the large case is a spare pair of “reading glasses.” (Post-cataract surgery, I have NO close-up vision. Without them, I can’t do anything, so I carry extra cheap generic ones with me at all times; there’s also a spare in my purse). Then there’s 2 crochet hooks and some stitch holders, 2 sets of markers. The red/blue ones are rigid and smaller. The yellow/turquoise ones are larger and flexible, rubbery. A packet of coils to keep dpns together. My mother’s ancient needle sizer/ruler. I guess they’ve been making the same style for 40 years. Some cable needles.
Green topped package is a new goodie, still unopened. A device to be worn on the index finger when working with two colors. The idea is that it will make 2-color work easier to manage. Not sure how long it will remain in its package! (I was less than $2 from free shipping!!! ) Below that it a package with ONE wool needle; not sure where the other one is. Perhaps it’s down in the sofa. That’s why they sell them 2 at a time. I suppose I should pick up another package of 2! Point protectors. I don’t know why I carry them. I bought them, thinking it was a great idea. I’ve never yet found any size knitting needle that the damn things actually stay ON! Sadly, knowing this, I haven’t thrown them out. This is a great “personal problem” that I have, the inability, or at least, severe difficulty, with getting rid of stuff.
At the bottom, another ruler, from my sewing days. Not sure why I have 3 damn rulers in this bag. Maybe I like carrying extra weight? I’m thinking that spreading everything out was a good idea. A good idea would be to have a smaller crochet hook or two in there. Demonstating my usual planning skills, the 2 that are there are almost the same size – for worsted weight yarn. It would probably be more useful to have one each that would work with the common yarn weights, one for fingering, sport and DK. Thanks to my eyes, I don’t imagine I’ll be working with anything laceweight. If I did, and dropped a stitch, I might as well just put the needle out and unravel the whole mess. I’d never be able to see well enough to fix any mistakes.
I’ll go put that ruler somewhere else. Not in the garbage, though. I’ll just tuck it away.
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On another front.
When we, Pop and I, are here with the boys in the evening, Pop is usually the one who gives them their baths, while I am busy cleaning up in the kitchen or popping a few of Grandmom’s Little Helpers. Anyhow, the potty-training doesn’t seem to be making much progress, so when Pop’s in there with them at bathtime, and the urge hits, he makes a big deal out of showing his equipment how boys stand up and pee. He hopes the twins will see his actions and learn by example.
Alex now stands up in the middle of his bath, pees into the bathwater, and then sits down again.
