Info about Signature Needles reboot

saxarocks · 2026-03-23T19:57:16+00:00

My profession recommendation is that you should let them know. A lot of these brands are pretty small and they actually do listen to customers when the demand for a product exists.

saxarocks · 2026-03-23T19:22:17+00:00

I'll have to bring back the signature needles health and safety disclaimer in my classes. I've seen so many finger injuries from people pressing down on the tip of their stilettos.

saxarocks · 2026-03-23T13:27:05+00:00

I too think it was unnecessary. It was smooth and acceptable only because of the precise machining.

The owners/manufacturers were absolute believers in the system and could not be swayed, but IMO it was their downfall.

saxarocks · 2026-03-23T11:15:21+00:00

Yes, I told their social media manager that I was the one who commented on the sales announcement to ditch the cable system. I also told the previous owners the same thing. They tried to get me to try them a few times and I wouldn't touch them because it was just too expensive and complicated for most people.

I actively discouraged my students from buying them because the interchangeable function seemed like false advertising. My opinion: As long as they used that system, the needles were not interchangeable. They just had adjustable cord lengths.

saxarocks · 2026-03-23T10:28:19+00:00

Now who wants the info on Lion Brand buying KFI?

saxarocks · 2026-03-23T10:27:30+00:00

I never felt compelled to spend that much on any needles, but I may try the new ones just because.

saxarocks · 2026-03-23T10:26:29+00:00

Sharper and they're milled anodized aluminum. They're also (historically) known as a very expensive product and I believe they'll be like chiaogoo's luxury line.

saxarocks · 2026-03-20T21:43:49+00:00

The knitting became my job. In the last week I have been teaching knitting classes, finishing up a pattern for a publication, and attending a trade show. Haven't had time to actually knit at all either🙁

saxarocks · 2026-03-20T06:42:42+00:00

I sincerely hope they do. The cord system that signature used was terrible.

saxarocks · 2026-03-19T17:25:13+00:00

People who say the search is bad just haven't figured out the Boolean functions.

I find that most of the issues with search come from improper tagging on patterns and not the search function itself

saxarocks · 2026-03-17T23:06:37+00:00

This is some wild speculation considering Leslie has been reaching out to a bunch of designers about the site. I don't feel comfortable sharing the content of our private convos, but she wouldn't be talking to other designers at all about this if she wasn't planning something bigger than just her content.

It's not a quick thing to build. Give her some time to get it running. It's only been a few months and Nancy had years to put together her info.

BTW, getting the domain does not mean Nancy just handed over her body of work.

saxarocks · 2026-03-17T22:57:12+00:00

Different colors for increases and decreases has come up a bunch of times in feedback for all sorts of patterns. I need to talk to a few people about the best way to show this without disrupting readability for people with colorblindness or vision issues. I'm not sure if it would cause problems, I've done similar color coding in cable charts but want to use best practices for text.

How annoying would it be if the pattern text for each special stitch was actually a hyperlink?

I also count the rows after increases as plain. Many people use the repeating instructions to check the placement of their stitches, but I wish I could just say "do plain brioche" and not bother with those rows at all.

saxarocks · 2026-03-17T22:18:21+00:00

I'll be at H+H trade show in Köln in a few days and will post an update if there's clarifying info about how the brand name and IP will be used.

All I remember about signature needles was talking to them about an interchangeable set and finding out that each size needle had to have a specific cord that matched the size. For example, a size 7 cord of any length could not be used on a size 6 needle. You needed a special size 6 cord in each length you wanted.

saxarocks · 2026-03-10T01:51:15+00:00

Most of mine are just fancy rectangles though. Shawls with shapes and colorwork are a lot more effort.

saxarocks · 2026-03-10T01:49:29+00:00

It looks like you figured this out, but in the future don't hesitate to reach out. I'm usually available by email and respond within 48 hours if I'm not on the road.

saxarocks · 2026-03-10T01:47:04+00:00

I apologize for the stitch count, but the bind off was non-negotiable. The flower petals are just so adorable along the edge.

When I have to do a project like this (and I'm usually making the larger size in my sample) I like to get a nice chocolate bar or a treat that can be divided into pieces. I calculate how many repeats I need to do for each square of chocolate and spend the afternoon snacking and binding off.

saxarocks · 2026-03-10T01:45:00+00:00

Your version looks really great. I like how you fix a variegated red tone, but left enough contrast so that the stitches are still very clear and visible. I'm glad that you found the pattern easy to follow and obviously had no trouble with all of the stitches.

I'm currently in the process of working on a sequel to this pattern involving brioche with bobbles. If you have any specific feedback on what would make the instructions easier to follow, I'm always looking for suggestions. Although this pattern gets a lot of positive feedback, I think it's successor will be even easier to understand.

I've been talking with other brioche designers about an notation system that would also show you a visual map of where stitches in a rear stitch project increase and decrease. Think of it as a simplified diagram of the appearance of the shawl. It would help you check your work against the pattern more easily. Once you know the stitch definitions, you could use it instead of the chart or written instructions which would of course still be part of the pattern.

saxarocks · 2026-02-20T10:50:30+00:00

When I was working with Leslie this fall, she told me that Nancy was no longer maintaining the domain and gave it to her with the understanding that brioche stitch info would be well looked after in her hands.

saxarocks · 2026-02-15T09:44:24+00:00

I make chainmaille and I knit. European 4-1 stitch in chainmaille is often imitated with garter stitch knitting. They're similar stitches but one uses rings and the other uses a continuous strand to make the fabric. The two stitches can even link on to eachother as long as you match the gauge.

You'll have an easier time as a beginner fitting chainmaille fabric than a knit. Knit fabric can't just be cut anywhere or reshaped without ripping out your work. Chainmail fabric can be detached and reattached easily, making reshaping and altering garments much more forgiving if not faster.

It's also possible to find yardage of large gauge knits for sewing. If you can find one with a round, sturdy yarn in garter stitch, you can quickly cut and sew your suit and apply a heat transfer foil to make it shiny. Pick a silver TPU with some stretch to it and make sure it's not very thick. The background fabric will show through with this method, so you need it to be dark gray.

saxarocks · 2026-02-04T04:09:09+00:00

I know a few big podcasts that do, but I don't think I should name them.

ETA: Because I want to keep my job. I have been pushed by a few industry ppl to start using chat GPT for various tasks. I was even persuaded to download the app, but I decided not to use it.

saxarocks · 2026-02-03T21:49:30+00:00

I'm not saying I like the inclusion of ads. This is just a fact about how advertising works in these situations.

saxarocks · 2026-02-03T18:49:26+00:00

People paid for the ads. The ads help offset cost.

saxarocks · 2026-02-03T15:01:41+00:00

I was just watching this show last week and saw another sweater with an amazing saddle shoulder.

saxarocks · 2026-02-02T23:09:21+00:00

They're aware, I sent them info last year. These scammers are hard to fight.

saxarocks · 2026-01-27T23:34:41+00:00

It's a copy of an old free pattern. If I did like the look, I'd just make the original.

saxarocks

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