Oft have I heard warning that knitters are legion and armed with sharp sticks. A quaint notion this seemed, as the reality of armed and dangerous knitters presupposes both aggression and efficacy of the weapons.
Three days ago, I discovered just how sharp a metal US1 (non Addi) could be. I reached into my backpack and impaled the webbing between the middle and ring finger of my left hand. The needle was parallel to my fingers, and the point went in toward the meat of my hand. After removing the needle, my hand felt and sounded spongy, suggesting that air had been trapped subcutaneously.
Months ago, my physician scheduled me for a late December routine boob-squashing. Conveniently enough, I was preparing to leave for Brigham and Women's Hospital before sustaining the hand puncture. When I finished with the mammogram, I enjoyed a light lunch at Au Bon Pain, then sauntered over to the emergency room on the advice of my regular doc.
I tucked in for the long wait, and just to be stubborn, I knit with the culprit. You can see her in the photo, along with the hospital bracelet and the silk cashmere blend that I am crafting into an indulgent scarf, though not for me. And the red thing? Now I understand that it is not a point protector. Needle points are amply robust. The flesh is weak, though resilient.
Now that you mention it ...
Everyone, there was surprisingly little damage to my hand, and the lost time in the lab was the greatest significance. I won't know about the results of the boob-squashing for another week, but I have to say, it was not arduous.
Dave, amazingly my tetanus was indeed up to date because I took a needle felting class last year.
Mishka, clearly you are the inspiration for flying with hooks and not needles.
Heather, I promise that I will try to limit the self-acupuncture. I may go for the real thing, though.
Dorothy, that's excellent advice.
IH Toast, you've got to close your eyes.
Emily, it never crossed my mind to blame the needle. I must be a real knitter.
Rebecca, glad to know that I'm in good company.
Ouch. I managed to puncture myself a month or so ago with a size 3 bamboo DPN just above my knee. War wounds.
Posted by: Rebecca H. | 04 January 2008 at 19:28
ouch! I hope that the hand is ok. (and nice to see that you don't bear grudges towards the needle)
Posted by: Emily L | 02 January 2008 at 21:43
I'M NOT READING THIS LALALALALALALALALALALA
i don't do pain.
Posted by: IHateToast | 02 January 2008 at 06:04
Boob-squashing and hand stabbings, you really know how to end a year with style!
Here's to a fantastic year with a new perspective on life. Start small and work your way up. That's how I managed that change.
Posted by: Dorothy | 01 January 2008 at 16:41
O-U-C-H! Hope you have a wonderful and puncture-free new year!
Posted by: heather | 01 January 2008 at 16:11
I certainly hope you sustained no permanent damage and that the boob-squashing was uneventful. Here's to safer knitting in the new year! In honor of the sharpness of needles--I'm flying through Heathrow to get to Athens and back--I've started my first crochet project in 20+ years. It will be an Afghans for Afghans blanket. Not much damage you can do with a size K bamboo hook!
Posted by: mishka | 01 January 2008 at 12:26
Yikes! Hope it turned out okay, and that your tetanus shots were up to date.
Posted by: Dave | 31 December 2007 at 23:56