After a marathon of crocheting the granny stitch bags, including a couple mini ones pictured below, I decided to do some knitting. I had picked up 2 skeins of Wonderland Yarn, in blue. It’s a silk blend and a sock/finger weight that I piked up in McWalker Yarns final week. I decided to make a skinny scarf that can be worn to brighten a plain shirt or sweater, or even add some warmth on a chilly, but not quite cold, day here in the Mid-Atlantic region’s rather frosty Spring (so far, anyway).

I started out with a set of circular needles but it seemed like I was spending more time “fighting” the circular part, so I knitted the piece off onto my good old standbys – straight knitting needles – and was off an running.

In a number of fiber arts groups in recent years, I have heard people proclaim that “straight knitting needles are irrelevant” and “no one uses these any more“. I never argued, but I disagreed heartily.

I have a lot of straight knitting needles. Some of them belonged to my grandmother, who primarily crocheted but started getting into knitting later in her life. The needles set I chose for this scarf is a nice wooden pair that I picked up at the Center for Creative Reuse, so not sure what brand they are but I can tell you that the wood is quality, as is the construction of the needles.

This little episode reminded me of the importance of balancing the opinions of others – even if they seem to know a lot about something – with our own needs and desires. If folks want to ditch all their straight needles, that’s their prerogative, but it certainly doesn’t mean that everyone else will want to, and it certainly shouldn’t dictate someone else’s choices.

It’s a wise choice to listen to those around us with more knowledge, diverse insights, and experience, but we never have to surrender our choices, wants or preferences because someone has made a declaration.

I understand why some people might think that having a set of interchangeable, circular knitting needles is preferable to a drawer full of scattered straight knitting needles. I have 2 sets of interchangeable knitting needles, in addition to all my straight ones. I purchased one set (Knitter’s Pride) with a birthday gift card. A couple years later I purchased a set of Clover Takumi interchangeable needles, with a 60% off coupon plus an employee discount at Joann’s (may she rest in peace) when I worked part-time there (right before they finally closed).

I use both sets at various times, and especially when I am knitting something that is too wide for regular straight needles. This includes sweaters, blankets, shawls and such. I am fortunate to have the option of many choices.

This episode reminded me of other decisions I have made in life that have not aligned with the “common wisdom“. Some of these have been career decisions, while others are scattered across different life choices and scenarios. To a one, when I have accepted the input and information from others, but remained true to what was best for me, it always worked out. The few times I have NOT trusted myself or honored my own choices, I have regretted it.

It’s good to remember that there is no “right” or “wrong” in these kind of scenarios. If you’re knitting with straight aluminum needles, wooden circular needles, or anything else; I hope you’re making something beautiful and enjoying yourself! Keep doing what works for you, and finding joy where you can.

---

(C) 2026 Stitch ‘n Dish