Thoughts on Short Needles

My first pair of needles were fourteen inches long, US size 8, and plastic with green and orange swirls in the middle.  They were the cheapest and longest pair from Hobby Lobby on that day.  I saw the ten inch needles just a few rows over, but I figured the fourteen inchers would be far more useful, especially with larger projects.  Later on I inherited the needles from my great grandmother, and her collection contained needles of every size and length.  However, even for my smaller projects, I used my fourteen inch needles.

Just a few days ago I needed 7's for a dishcloth, but alas, one pair was still in a scarf I had started a month ago and the other was in my sister's dishcloth.  I was forced to use some ten inch 8's.

Wow, what a difference!  Short needles are so much more intimate and cozy.  I feel like I can knit on our sectional and not worry about hitting anyone in the face with the ends.  Lesson learned - don't fall into the frugal trap of buying fourteen inchers!  If you're working on a small project, splurge on a pair of ten inchers!  Needles only cost like three bucks a pair; it's an investment, and your family will thank you.