Little Needles

Based on my love for vintage kitting and sewing patterns, it's quite evident to me that:
a.)  The people were tiny. 

• Side note:  Did you know that today's size 6 is actually a vintage size 14?  Yeah..  So when people say that Marilyn Monroe was a size 14, please understand that she was actually a size 6 based on today's varied measurements.

b.)  These tiny people loved their tiny knitting needles.


I on the other hand, am not such a fan of tiny knitting needles.  I like the big chucka-munka's.  Yeah, you know the kind.  I will openly admit that I am the kind of knitter who would gladly knit with a baby's thigh if I could. 
I also love chunky wool.  I love how you can see every dyed fiber in all it's glory.  There is nothing like seeing one vibrant color spun beautifully in with another.  Nothing. 
Our great grannies didn't care so much for chunky knitting needles or chunky wool.  They might call me lazy today for cursing the little jerky needles.  Don't get me wrong, triple great grandma, I love the way dainty projects look.  My first summer in Madison I started my first tiny needle knitting project.  It was a tiny cardigan, and I was madly in love with how demure it looked.  It took me the rest of the summer to finish the left front of the cardigan, the whole fall to knit the right front, and the whole winter to knit half of the back.  By the spring I was so sick of this cardigan, I set it aside and didn't pick it up again until it had been bleached by the sun.  I kid you not!  I had to take that long of a break from knitting, because it burnt me out.


So my fellow knitters, what do you do when a tiny needle knitting project burns you out?  What do you do to keep going?  How do you keep yourself inspired to continue?

 

P.S.  Both of these pictures are from Vintage Purls.  It's an online directory of downloadable free vintage knitting patterns!  So if you are unlike me, and you have the patience for reliance, please feel free to visit such a great resource!