A Bit about Why and How
Despite being part Portuguese, I learned to knit English style as I didn’t take an interest in it until I was older and far from my home in Hawaii. When my shoulders starting bothering me, I switched to Continental but it wasn’t long before my wrists started to protest which led me to Portuguese knitting.
There are many ways to tension yarn during Portuguese knitting starting with just running it around the neck which is the way I remembered family friends and family doing it, but I wanted to just add a little flair to the process, something pretty and unique. Vintage or vintage looking items have always had a special appeal for me. I like the idea that they’ve been loved and used and wonder at the stories they could tell. Giving them a new purpose is very gratifying but some wear is to be expected. However some pieces probably languished in a jewelry box or drawer and are in pristine condition; it’s just a matter of what can be found. As I find my components in many places, there’s no way to tell what they’re made of unless they’re marked. If I know, I’ll pass on the knowledge. I remove the clasps or whatever fittings there are and grind down the raw edges . Every step and everything I do has a purpose from the lightweight acrylic beads to the puddles of glue around the fittings. I’ve been making pins for my own use and enjoyment for a number of years. Every one is functional though I’ve made improvements on each one as I’ve gone along. Still, the first one, made from a brooch given to me by a dear friend who has since passed on, is my favorite. I think of her every time I pick it up.
As for the nickel plated neodymium magnets, they’re very strong. They won’t pull apart as the ceramic ones can when worn with a bulky top. I back the inner magnets with a metal disc which is then backed with felt for comfort against the skin.
Most hooks are hand formed for the particular pin. They’re strong, open and stationary making it easy and quick to manage the yarn. The silver hooks are commercially made; it just depends on the color or space available as to what I’ll use. I test each pin I make, knitting with it to ensure it works the way it should. The pins vary in weight and I find I like the heavier pieces as they provide a good balance to the pull of the yarn. It’s just a personal preference.
Making these pins is an enjoyable process for me and it’s my hope that they’ll bring a spark of that to those who use my pins.