NEEDLESs to Say...

I never used to think much about what kind of needles I used, apart from making sure I had the right size to knit whatever project I was working on. Some people knit more tightly than others, and so need to use a larger needle size or a lighter weight yarn than the pattern suggests to end up with an end product of the same size. As a result most patterns include a line at the top urging the knitter to check their gauge before proceeding. A simple tool called a gauge ruler allows one to check their stitch and row count against what the pattern suggests and make adjustments accordingly.

But there are other options besides size to consider when selecting the needles with which to knit. Some people prefer wooden needles over the metal variety, circular as opposed to straight, double-pointed versus single pointed... the decisions are many! One kind of needle may work better than another on a particular pattern, and some are easier to use than others. Sometimes a pattern will have you switch the size of needle you're using in midstream to shape a piece in a particular way, or move from a circular needle to a set of double-pointed ones when decreasing the stitch count to shape the top of a hat, for example. Finding what works best for you is largely a function of trial and error. It doesn't take long to have an abundance of sizes, types and lengths of needles in one's collection, especially if working several projects at the same time that all require the same size needles! I don't want a needle shortage to ever limit my creative expression!

Some people do that in their relationship with God. They limit their spiritual experience because they don't have the tools on hand to assist them, chiefly a Bible in a version that facilitates the reading of God's Word. Thankfully there are many options available these days to meet every reading level and study need. Differences in translation, print style and color, included study helps such as dictionaries, commentaries, and concordances all make it possible to read God's Word in a way that you can most understand. Many people own several Bibles of different types and use them to meet different needs or read them at different times of day. Again, trial and error determines what works best for you.

You won't return to needles that are difficult to use; neither will you spend time in God's Word if the process is frustrating. Explore your options today; some things are too important to be left up to chance.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

(Psalms 119:105 NKJV)