Denise 2 Go: Interview with Barbara from Denise Needles and Lorna Miser!

We were recently approached by Barbara from Denise Needles to ask if we'd like to be the exclusive seller of these darling new Denise 2 Go needle sets that they dreamed up. Of course we said yes as we are a big fan of their needles and loved the idea of a mini set designed especially for knitters on the go. Also, we found out that our friend, Lorna Miser (who helped push Jimmy into the yarn business years ago) designed the adorable fabric case that these needles come in! So now we are delighted to present you with a little guest post featuring Barbara from Denise and Lorna Miser!

Some of the first prototypes.

Here is what they had to say about Denise 2 Go:


Barbara:

Sketching out the design.

The idea for Denise2Go came from our history. Since interchangeable knitting needles began, they have been packaged as complete sets. Over these 40-plus years, sets have grown larger.  We now put 14 pairs of needles into a Denise-in-a-della-Q set, for instance. We also offer individual needles. What we wanted to add was a narrower range of needles – more than one needle and fewer than the complete collection. Just enough to take on vacation and pack lightly. The Mini version rather than the SUV. Knowing that Lorna Miser sews almost as much as she knits, we asked Lorna if she would design a case to hold a few needles and cords.

Lorna's Prototype.

Lorna:

When the Denise folks contacted me about this idea, I was confused for a moment. I've never been asked to design a sewn item---well, not for almost 30 years when I was a seamstress! What a fun thing to be asked to do. I've loved and used Denise Needles for years--since my early 20's when I was a new knitter and my mentor Ida gave me my first set of Denise Needles. When I began designing the case, I started with paper-taped prototypes. I had a couple of mis-fires but eventually sent a final version to Denise.

Barbara:

A small padded envelope arrived at our office in Virginia , and inside was Lorna’s perfect solution for our need! There was a universal sigh among us. Lorna had incorporated all the function we wanted in a portable package. Even her sample was pretty, though she had used scraps from her sewing room. Working from Lorna’s fine design, we worked on planning production, including needles in color. Though the idea came to mind years ago, it has really been only a few months that Lorna has been working with us on realizing the dream. We hope our shared enjoyment shows in the Denise2Go that you will see and hold in your own hands.

Inside view

The final version.

Lorna:

I've been using my prototype for several months. When Denise showed me the fabrics they had chosen and the pretty colored needle tips, I was thrilled. I love feminine things, pretty things. Now I have the convenience AND the beauty!

When I leave on a trip (or across town to a yarn shop) with several projects, I rarely have to give a thought to bringing needles. The Denise2Go fits in my little notions case which resides permanently in my knitting bag . I am comforted knowing that I have so many needles with me at all times. You never know what yarn will jump in my arms and request instant knitting! I'm always prepared now.

Fits in the palm of
your hand!

Barbara:

Lorna, now that we have Denise2Go in our knitting bags, I am thinking more about that idea of the Mini Cooper. Maybe we can convince the company to start making Minis in more colors. You can have a lavender one, and I want one in spring green. Still more possibilities to think about, design, plan. Not to mention the endless knitting possibilities.  Thanks, Lorna, for joining us on this adventure!


Thanks to both Barbara from Denise needles and Lorna Miser for providing this little peek into the making of this awesome new knitting product! These will be available exclusively through Jimmy Beans Wool until July 1st! Also, Denise has kindly given us a set of these needles to giveaway to one lucky reader! 


If you would like to win a set of the Denise2Go needles, please leave us a comment letting us know what kinds of summer adventures you will be taking your needles on! The winner will be selected at random and announced on Wednesday, June 6th. You will have until 11pm PST on Tuesday the 5th to enter. Good luck!


Happy knitting,
Kristen