And Software Update in Progress, what better way to spend NewYearsDay than working out the details of Security Upgrades.
and then there are the upgrades to the plug-ins,

Calipers are a measuring tool which I find indispensable for measuring Aluminum and Plastic and Wood Crochet Hooks and Knit Needles. That is why I love these little 4 inch,

Brass Calipers

click for larger image

It is my experience that most of the “4 inch” (which have an overall length of about 4.5 inches) will fit into most any “tool kit” even one as compact as Clover Knit YARN Mate has enough room to include this and a few other “Hooking Necessities“.

For many reasons, none of the handy dandy devices measuring Knitting Needles really work well for Crochet hooks and all to often “stop” at the most common sizes at either end of the size range.

This particularly true for those of use who prefer the type of Crochet hook end found on Clover & Pony Hooks (slightly larger diameter than the barrel).

Obviously you cannot get an accurate measurement of the shaft’s diameter, using the little devices sold for knitting, because you have to be able to get the end thru. If the head of your hook is larger than the hole (unlike knitting needles with tapered points) it just does not work.

Nor, can you use the existing knitting measuring devices for our Double Ended tools, never mind needed into know estoreric details like the Diameter of Grant’s One Needle Looper vs, the K-Tel Knitter or the various sizes of Locker Hooks

For a designer, who needs to include accurate “gauge using x size hook and such and so yarn”

Add to that my need to have the enlarged handles such as Clover’s Soft Touch – so you can’t just poke the butt end thru… well you get the idea.

At just over 4.5 inch long, they easily fit into your pocket or hook pouch and at $7.99 (Sears) to $16 (Duluth Trading) or on average in your local Bead Shop – $11 – they are a worthwhile investment.

Okay too much for the occasional need to measure a Crochet Hook or Knit Needle? but what about gauge? As you can see in the picture, it is really easy to lay the caliper open as much as four inches (although I suggest no more than three and usually am happy with 2 inches) to check your gauge stitches or rows per inch and inch or two to quickly determine wraps per inch for weaving.

Just one small caveat – these are accurate to 1mm, and you can, with practice “eyeball” to .5mm, but I do not recommend using this device to accurately measure your steel hooks under 1mm or any hooks over 1mm to less than .5mm (ie, easy to see 3.5, hard to see 3.75 and certainly no way to be sure of 2.25 vs 2.3) When I need to measure those, either I just hand the box over to the inhouse engineer and his fancy dancy electronic caliper or I use a round wire measuring tool.

or, if you require tools that can measure that small for jewelry purposes I would ask at a reputable jeweler’s supply like the folks at Metalliferious in NYC.

I also find these very useful when making changes to a flat pattern – but that may be because they are there

Hope This Helps

Wheat

P.S. Yes there are cheaper plastic Calipers sold in craft and hobby stores. I was so dissatisfied with their quality and accuracy that I trashed them and consider it dollars down the tubes.

Added 8/23: I am told the quality has improved, so will be looking into these less expensive – small plastic versions.

P.S. Jr, I “reduced so it would fit” the picture of the “still in the package” calipers so you would know what to look for in Sears or woodworking stores (or the tool box of someone who might not miss them immediately if you are discreet about their appropriation for better use)

Why do people resist “swatching and sampling”? Hard to say, it is never wasted time, you learn so very much even with just a tiny three inch “test for drape”.

It is so liberating to be able to pick and choose materials other than what is listed in the instructions.

Okay, so it is somewhat understandable not everyone is as, well, obsessed, with knowing where to find both common and esoteric tools and supplies, or the origins of a specific tool or technique.

It means you can use whatever fits your budget or the planned use (i.e. no $50 a skein yarns for a dog blanket, but maybe for that christening blanket that will be passed down thru the generations?)

Yet, it seems every time Swatching and Sampling is mentioned, even in an email discussion group, you can feel the collective shudder, cringing — as if you had just announced an invasion of Slytherins.

If, one is going to spend hours creating something that hopefully will be enjoyed by its users for years to come, isn’t it worth making sure it will have the look, feel and durability to survive the generations?

Doesn’t the recipient of your gift deserve not only the best of your skill, but also the best you can afford in the types of materials and supplies you choose to “invest” into the project?

Knowing what is appropriate for your works intended use means you have to know, in the back your tiny doggie brain, how it can be used, and

For designers and teachers and all with skill levels from beginner to advanced, having your own library of examples is an invaluable resource.

Remember:

– Best does not always mean most expensive,

sometimes it just means most appropriate

within your personal budgetary constraints.

For YARNandTHREAD – no matter how I plan to use the material or what it is going into, everything starts with a swatch and then maybe a bigger sample.

As this series continues, I hope you will share your ideas and methods – because what works for one may not work for others.

Wheat

(more…)

.
Some of us are lucky to have smart and organized friends. Even luckier is when those friends help you/me to look equally smart and organized. Luckiest is when those friends not only make you look smart and get organized but they make it easy to spend the time for the ounce of prevention that in this case, means not having to spend TONS on a cure.

Personally even at full price, it would be money well spent in the time it will save you in ‘getting organized” – for me – it was/is worth it just so I don’t have to write this guide, instead, I am just going to wish I had.

Disaster Proof Your On-Line Business is not just something you will use once, it is something you will use always as long as there is life “on the Internet” – so print it out, put it in a binder, have some loose leaf handy for notes & some pockets to stuff loose notes until you “get them entered”

“Reality Is” sooner or later, you will need everything this book helps you to gather and get in one place (or two if you read the book carefully).

Don’t forget your coupon code: Wheat-2007 is only valid at this link

Let me know what you think

Wheat

Wheat’s Non-Standard Disclaimer:
Those who know me, know I only like to talk/sell things I like. That way, even though it might look a bit like an info-mercial, it really is not. The purpose of my Tech-Nessities topics is sharing information about products I like, and believe offer valuable information or resources – even if I sometimes benefit if you then choose to buy them