TECHknitting (TM) and a QUICKtip on conditioning knitting needles.

Further fruit from Ravelry: A discussion in a forum there made me anxious to trademark (TM) the name TECHknitting. I really apologize if that little TM blazing out of the header looks crass to you--it does to me too. But what got me worried is that someone could use the TECHknitting name and what then of all these hours and hours at the computer with the illustrations? Evidently some bloggers find that a second person will take the same name as them, and almost the same graphics. The second person to take the name could wind up being the beneficiary of all the work and care of the first blogger, and the first blogger has no recourse. I find this too horrible to contemplate, so please, accept my apology that the modern world we live in has struck again--and please forgive that horrible little "TM" which now seems to jump out of the title. As awful as it looks, it seems better than the alternative.

Here is a little bonus QUICKtip on conditioning your knitting needles, which will hopefully sweeten this rather sad post:

If your needles are being grabby, run them through your hair (along the scalp) once or twice. The "preening oil" naturally on your scalp will help the needles slide through the wool more smoothly. Conversely, if your needles are getting too slippery, put on clean rubber dishwashing gloves and massage the needles a little, then drag each needle between your pinched thumb and forefinger. This will clear oils, and restore a better "tooth." For a very slippery needle which does not respond to this treatment, a drag through a barely dampened, doubled over "Mr. Clean Eraser" will certainly restore tooth--the "eraser" is actually nothing more than micro-scale sandpaper. Be really careful before you go this route, however. Although some needles (like bamboo) respond splendidly to this treatment, other needles (like Addi lace needles) have a coating, and the "eraser" could ruin it.

--TECHknitter