Here is the current list of alternate uses for Straight Knitting Needles. We’re almost 1/3rd of the way to 101 uses!
1) Back Scratcher
2) Conversation Piece
3) Cat Scratcher
4) Pom Pom Maker
5) Repairing Library Books
6) Fixing Motorboat Motor – unconfirmed
7) Sewing Machine Spool Pin
8) Houseplant Stake
9) Chopsticks – ideally bamboo needles
10) Hair Sticks/Holders
11) Skewer
12) Teach your child to knit with these and hopefully they’ll leave your “good” needles alone.
13) Retrieve things from under the bookcase. Also good for under the stove, behind the fridge, etc.
14) Spear feeder fish to feed to your turtle.
15) Makeshift Spoon/Eating Utensil
16) Scoot things off of high shelves.
17) Power on/off a wall mounted TV.
18) Straight Edge for drawing a straight line.
19) Makeshift Rolling Pin – think size 35 or 50
20) Toothpick – think size 0 or 1
21) Test Cake Doneness
22) Piercing potato or squash for baking.
23) Playdough/Clay Tools
24) Scoop tiny bits of egg shell out from cracked eggs.
25) Writing Utensil – dip needle in ink
26) To reach inside and clean narrow glasses, bottles, and jars.
27) Retrieve a ball of yarn that’s just out of reach.
28) To turn out corners when sewing.
29) For stuffing plushie toys evenly.
30) Use a bunch as a rack for drying felted knits.
31) Just found this one, Liana Kabel makes bangles out of vintage plastic needles. You can see them in her shop.
32) Knitting Needle Wind Chime. Sure, it may not sound great, but neither do the bamboo or shell wind chimes!
Thanks for sharing your comments and ideas and keep ‘em coming…
(Psst… Does anyone else imagine Lisa K’s house as some Seussian, colorful, odd angled home where most items are knitting needle shaped? Table legs, chair legs, lamps, curtain rods, … ??)
I’ve never really been much for holiday baking. There are so many great bakers in my family, cookies just always showed up. Since I’ve moved back to Pittsburgh I’ve been included in the traditional baking of my grandmother’s cookies and nut rolls. These cookies are so labor intensive and my grandmother made them every year, on her own, in her tiny kitchen. We work together on these cookies, blood relatives only, and marvel at my grandmothers ability to do these on her own. (Well, there’s been an infiltrator in recent years, but we welcome the help.)
Susan came up with the idea of having a Cookie Exchange party this year. I knew immediately that I wanted to make Aunt Mary’s Spice Cookies. This recipe is ridiculously large, measurements in pounds and half pounds vs. cups. They are cookies that remind me of past Christmases and they make a good amount. There were so many of us at last night’s Cookie Exchange party that I had to put both leaves into my already large dining room table to accommodate all the baked goodies!
I can’t believe 13 people fit into my tiny, little living room.
This has been a really fun way to celebrate the season!
Heidi asked for a black sweater for Evie to wear with her Christmas dress. I’d already made one 
