Hi
I am knitting a small blanket/throw using Size 50 Lion Speed Stix. I cast on 32 stitches of 4 bulky yarns…this is really crowded on the needles…are size 50 needles available in longer lengths to make wider projects?
Thanks for your help!
Robin
Isn’t knitting with size 50 like knitting with bats? :??
:teehee:
You didn’t say what length your needles are now.
I think they are 14 inches…they are the red Lion Speed Stix
No - they don’t make them any longer. I was saying the same thing while trying to knit an afghan for a Christmas present. It was only 34 stitches, but with 4 strands of yarn!! They are pretty unwieldy to work with to say the least!! The afghan came out really great, though, and was a big hit as a gift.
That’s basically what I am doing too…I am going to stick with it…but it would go much faster if I didn’t have to worry about the stitches falling off the needle ends (both ends…they are so crammed on!)
I have a pair of those needles, too, though I haven’t used them yet.
I’d suggest when you stop for the day/whatever, stop in the middle of the row so there won’t be so many stitches on 1 needle, they won’t be as likely to fall off the end of the needles.
Hi Marilyn - Yes! That is the way I left my work last night…in the middle of the row…it worked well.
I’m hoping I can get a lot done on that this weekend!
No, they don’t come any longer. I noticed you said the stitches were falling off both ends…I believe I made the same blanket for a SIL in '06 (4 strands of Homespun?) and the stitches kept going over the “knobby” end of the needle, not just the “pointy” end. Since I work in an auto parts store, I found a couple of ginormous flat washers that fit over the size 50’s and had a big enough outside diameter that the yarn couldn’t slip over them. That at least solved the problem of the yarn sliding over one end of each needle…might give that a shot, it’ll make things a bit easier.
And, yes, the blanket will turn out really nicely…my SIL loves hers (and so do her daughters - enough that I had to knit them their own blankets for Christmas '07! I used Red Heart Baby Clouds for theirs, though) as it’s really soft and cuddly.
I’ve made three afghans with those needles, and all turned out beautifully. It was a bit difficult keeping all that yarn on there, but I just squished it to the end when I had to leave it and they didn’t fall off.But there are a set of 50 circulars I am dying to get, here’s a link:
Here are some directions how to make your own circular needles!
http://www.knittersreview.com/article_how_to.asp?article=/review/profile/061109_a.asp
Hi
A super source for quality needles is www.jenkinswoodworking.com
I purchased a set of Size 50 circulars to make larger knitted afgahns/throws. Just started using mine last night, wow, so much easier than the Speed Stix!!
If you want longer straights in size 50 they are available, my LYS sells them. They have a website http://www.yarnandfiber.com/catalog/racheljohnneedles.php?cPath=344_989. I don’t know if they would be worth the price to me, but I’ll put it out there for those who are interested.
does anyone have a picture of yourself holding one of the 50 needles? i’m dying to see how big they actually are. 
yes. i’ve seen them but forget where… theyre longer than 14", i know.
Dang! How could you even sit down and knit with those? They’re MONSTERS! :lol:
Cool, though–if they weren’t so expensive I’d be tempted to get some for a friend as a gag knitting gift, then tell her I expect her to make something for me on them!
BagSmith sells size 50 circulars that are 42 inches long.
I have a pair of size 50’s from Lion Brand and a pair of size 50 circs from Jensen’s Woodworking. The circs are so much easier to use, especially when I’m using 4 strands at once with 50 sts cast on.
They’re fun to use and I can finish an afghan really quickly.
knitcindy
Those are great needles! Thanks for the link. I haven’t knitted anything with this size of needle yet, at least I’ll know where I can purchase a circular and avoid the pitfalls of falling stitches.
Here’s a link to Mr. Jenkins website:
http://www.yarntools.com/knitting-needles.html
He hand makes his needles and they’re sooooo smooth. I’ve used both the Speed Stix and the circs and I’m so glad I invested in the circs. They’re much easier to use when you don’t have to worry about stitches jumping off the ends.
knitcindy
Lovely needles which sound like a dream to work with. Thanks very much for the information.