Yarn features often on these pages, but needles tend to get only a brief mention in passing. A visit to my parents today has yielded a bag full of knitting needles which belonged to my grandmother. Pictured here is a tiny fraction of the haul which, nowadays, would merit the "vintage" label and which I'm delighted to have brought home and hope to put to use again.
There are so many that I've yet to sort them all out, but here are just a few sets of dpns and an Aero needle and tension gauge - they all have that byegone era feel about them!
I still have a tiny cardigan Granny Andy knitted for me when I was born, and coincidentally, I chose the very same pattern to make for our first baby before she arrived. Both garments are safely stowed away and I wouldn't dream of parting with them.
Those old needle gauges sell for a loton EBay! Not that you are going to do that, but enjoy it! You are lucky.
Posted by: sherry | 29 March 2008 at 10:28 PM
How nice for you to have some of your grandmother's needles. What a special way to carry on the knitting tradition.
Posted by: Lisa W | 29 March 2008 at 11:00 PM
I love that needle gauge. Do they still make those?
Posted by: Francesca | 29 March 2008 at 11:40 PM
That is so special - what a great thing to have! :0)
Posted by: Charity | 30 March 2008 at 12:25 AM
How lovely. I've got one of those needle gauges, also inherited and I'm very fond of it. Amazing that your grandmother's needles still have their bands on. I'm hoping one day to see one of those Patons Beehive plastic wool holders going for a song. I had one as a child but they've got very expensive.
Posted by: Barbara | 30 March 2008 at 11:05 AM
I love old needles and notions, makes knitting that much more special when you think of all the people who have had pleasure from using them before you. Enjoy:)
Posted by: ambermoggie | 30 March 2008 at 12:41 PM
It's wonderful to hold the same needles in your hands that your grandmother held.
Posted by: Becca | 30 March 2008 at 02:34 PM
What treasures - lucky you! A great link with the past. Where's the photograph of the cardigans together?
Posted by: Deirdre | 30 March 2008 at 04:30 PM
what a wonderful link with your grandmother (who clearly kept things very, very carefully).
Posted by: rosie | 30 March 2008 at 06:08 PM
Oh what lovely treasures to own and how right that they should come to you. My Grandmother was responsible for my knitting gene too, I would love to have some of her old tools of the trade, sadly I have no idea what happened to them.
Posted by: Rebecca | 30 March 2008 at 06:41 PM
I also have many old knitting needles and patterns.A few years ago when I had a break from knitting, I wondered whether I should keep them or not. I am so glad that I did. They are all safely stowed away. Such memories of my Great Aunts in Edinburgh. They loved to knit and produced such amazingly intricate knitwear.
Posted by: Mosi | 30 March 2008 at 07:58 PM
I also have some of my grandmother`s needles! Value = Priceless!
I gave a pair to my granddaughter and told her more about her great great grandmother! Enjoy!
Posted by: Peg | 30 March 2008 at 08:58 PM
lucky you - what a treasure!
Posted by: Kelly | 31 March 2008 at 12:56 AM
Impressive that she kept the bands so neat all those years ago.
Seeing those bands has given me ideas on a better packing/presenting method for our needles. :-) The circulars may take a bit more thinking.
Posted by: Fiberjoy | 01 April 2008 at 06:21 AM
I have some needles like this at home, they belonged to my mother. No mm sizes here they are all the old numbers and some lovely wooden ones as well.
Posted by: Elaine | 04 April 2008 at 05:07 PM