Inside the Big Box: Who Knew?!?!?

Underneath all those hats in the big box my cousin sent to me was a dear, heart warming surprise -- a bunch of knitting and crochet tools. I never saw my grandmother hold a needle. As I removed the items from the box I kept asking myself, "Who knew?!?!" I had no idea. But, I suppose, it was a big deal when we were able to visit. Maman had guests when we were in town, so perhaps such things were put away.

I wonder if my maman bought this large and very complete case of Susan Bates needles and hooks. It is very complete and looks slightly used. Maybe she took up knitting for a short time in her life. Or did someone give these things to her? Were they her mother's or her sister's before they came to her. Oh how I wish they could talk!

Inside the case are crochet hooks sizes ranging from 00 - 14, dpns sizes ranging from US 1 - 7, and long needles sizes all sizes US 1 - 8. There are also some stitch holders and a yarn needle case. Outside are some newer needles in aluminum, a set of wood needles, and a set of dpns. Maybe some day I'll learn to use those crochet hooks for more than picking up knit stitches!

There were also a number of circular needles. I have never handled circulars like these before, just metal or bamboo with plastic cords. Most are all metal with a tightly coiled flex wire connecting the two points. And one is a plastic loop that is size US 7 throughout. It is one long , looped double point. I've got to try using it to see how it feels and how yarn moves on it. These are various sizes from US 0 to 5. There were also two envelopes in the big box. One is addressed to my great grandmother and is comes from Duluth, Minnesota all the way down to her in New Orleans with a one cent stamp. Inside is a tatting ring, a butterfly of pink cotton thread, and some lace she had begun to tat. I don't know if I could ever take this up. The detail is amazing. And last-- a copy of the birth announcement my grandparents sent out when my dad came into the world!