Vintage Faux Tortoise Knitting Needles

Hello my friends!  How is your week going?  Things are well here, we're having more sunny warm days which makes me happy.  I found my size 7 vintage faux tortoise shell knitting needles that I *love* to knit with - and am over halfway done with my 2nd golden washcloth - as I sent my first one to my daughter Amy as a gift.  I have a *thing* for variegated colored things.  I thought I'd share my collection with you as you may have never seen these needles.  I first saw them on an Australian blog years ago and fell in love right then and there and began a search on eBay to find a set of my very own.  Instead I found a whole collection for a very reasonable price!  I love how there are several different designs on the top.  The big one is called a Beehive design.  I like the ones with the bone inlay.

I stuck all my knitting needles in an old Ball jar with some antique marbles in the bottom to hold the jar from tipping.  My tortoise needles are below.

I usually use the shorter ones as I am not a super knitter, so I stick with wash cloths.  Although, I did knit my most complicated item - the little pink dress for my Maggie Maria Rabbit (from Alicia Paulson's kit collection).

These needles are made of "shellonite", which was registered as a trademark in Australia in 1930 and manufactured artificial amber, horn and resin.  So, almost all of these needles are to be found in Australia and I feel honored to be the owner of this small collection.

If you ever see any in an antique or thrift shop, I recommend that you grab them.  I've never used such a delightful needle.  It's warm to the touch, is flexible and looks FAB in your knit project.  :-)

It's just a joy to knit by the fire while watching TV shows.  Just a head's up - I got this wonderful organic cotton from KnitPicks but they discontinued ALL THE COLORED YARN.. argh!  But you can get this spectacular yarn in unbleached off white and I can attest.. it's the softest, best cotton yarn ever.  If you like off-white.  Luckily I do.  :-)

Do you love the tortoise look of these needles?  No turtles were harmed in the filming of this episode of "The Lady Who Collects Stuff".

I just had to show you my little Narcissus which are bringing happiness to those of us who live in this little old farmhouse.  I need to photograph my garden daffodils which are coming up and we have little white buds on the Snowdrops!

Look at this little old Polaroid photo I came across - it's me after returning from living in Hawaii for 7 months right after I graduated from high school.  If you're wondering why my hands are like that, it's because I was striking a "hula" pose.  I think my bangs needed trimming, you can't see my eyes!

OK, time to pack my swim bag and head off to the pool to swim in the sunshine with Gracie!  What are your plans for the day?  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)