The Perfect Table

Laura

My family loves the new game table we got. It gives us a nice spot to play some of our favorite games, like Clue, without worrying about clearing it all away so we can eat.  We’d even developed some pre-dinner speed rules to help us get the game going when needed. Forget all that dice rolling – just pop into any adjacent room when it’s your turn and make guess such as, “I think Mrs. White stabbed the victim in the library with her knitting needles.” We encourage a bit of creative story telling with our guesses and the kids know I always replace the knife with a knitting needle.  I’m picturing one of those old aluminum needles, a size 10 or 11 US;  nice and long, pointy, with enough stiffness to get the job done!

Even more important than the table’s convenient size, lovely finish or game readiness is it’s ability to hold my ball winder without it wobbling or falling off. This is not a small thing. It is the only table in my entire house that can perform such an important service for me. All the other tables and desks simply refused to play along (too thick, rounded edge, shallow lip) forcing me to go to unreasonable lengths to create a stable surface on which to wind a ball of yarn.

Even better, the table is the perfect size for this fabulous swift I bought at Stitches last year. There’s not much time to look around when you have your own booth but I had passed on it the year before (a much regretted attempt to stick to my budget after a bit of yarn splurging) and refused to leave without one this time.

Here I've stacked up two fabulous skeins of Cascade Venezia wool and silk. It is simply yummy to the touch and I think this lovely blue and soft white will be fabulous together. I can’t wait to get started.  The yarn hasn’t told me what it wants to be yet, but I’ll happily wind it and swatch it and thus be that much closer to the answer.

Comments

[Ava]

I am so jealous! Currently, if I just want to wind a ball from skein form, I can use my chair in the living room. To use the swift and the ball winder (the most used way), I have to set of the ironing board, use one foot to steady it, and wind away. Not so fun! Then, to add insult to injury, Veronica was lazily spinning the ball winder and it fell off and the handle broke. Santa, I've been a reasonably good girl this year. I'd really like a table like this one.

[La Cabeza Grande]

I completely understand the search for the perfect surface. I found mine atop the bedroom dresser, of all places. Now the ball winder is always at the ready on the edge of the dresser and the swift (a tabletop variety) is tucked away nearby.

[Carol]

Sounds like the holy grail of tables! I have to clamp the winder and swift on a chair. Awkward.....