| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Kathigene |
Posted - Oct 31 2005 : 4:45:33 PM
Hi, My niece actually found this tip. If you have arthritis or problems with cold hands bamboo knitting needles are much easier to use. I have joint problems, and hyper sensitivity to cold and I've also had carpel tunnel surgery. I can't believe how much lighter and warmer the bamboo knitting needles are. I also found bamboo crochet hooks today but I haven't tried them yet so I can't say if they work as well as what I usually use. But I'm sold on bamboo knitting needles. Only disadvantage I've found is that when the dog ran off with my knitting he did return the needles with a few teeth marks but I will just have to be more careful where I leave my knitting.
Kathy
Dogs make such good friends because they wag their tails rather then their tongues. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| LauraH |
Posted - Dec 27 2006 : 5:28:39 PM
This is soo funny, I just went to Joanns on monday & bought a pair of bamboo knitting needles for a project. I love them. They do not get cold & they are lighter.they are more expensive though, but I used my joann mailer save 40% so for a size 11 I apid $4.00 when they were priced at $6.99
LauraH |
| lamarguerite farm |
Posted - Dec 27 2006 : 5:07:38 PM
I have been reading all the posts about bamboo needles and was so excited to try some. My son bought me some for Christmas and I'm sad to say that his puppy ate them today! I'm so bummed, but there's not a whole lot I can do about it. ugh. I did start a dish cloth last night to try them out and I absolutely love them. I wish I had known how great they are before now!! I don't even want to use my metal ones now. The bamboo is so much lighter and they do feel warmer in your hands. I've noticed that my hands don't get tired as quickly. Love them!!
Blessings,
Missy
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen
http://18happyhens.blogspot.com
http://LamargueriteFarm.etsy.com |
| Nance in France |
Posted - Dec 26 2006 : 12:30:31 PM
Kate, my friend charged me $20 for the velvet sleeve and the pair of needles with hand painted 'tops', so don't know what the needles would go for, solo. I could ask; just let me know. The feel of them is like silk, all hand sanded, and the beautiful tops she paints have the size painted on, too, as well as a decorative design. She even painted five dots on the underside of one needle 'top' and six on the other. That is a little help if you are following a pattern and need to remember if you stopped on an odd or even row....very ingenious, I thought! Nance |
| Horseyrider |
Posted - Dec 25 2006 : 05:10:49 AM
Interesting thread for a non-knitter like me! My daughter knits though, and I got her four sets of new needles for Christmas. Two sets were from Lantern Moon, one in ebony and one in rosewood. The other two sets are handmade in bronze and silver, a set of sock needles, and a set trimmed in lapis lazuli. They were from Celtic Swan Forge. Everyone needs a little luxury!
http://www.celticswan.com/knitting.htm |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Dec 23 2006 : 11:58:33 PM
I bought myself a set of bamboo needles today! I didn't even know that there were any other kind of knitting needles except aluminum. I love the bamboo! I also got the nicest mercerized 100% cotton for dishcloths. I usually buy Sugar & Cream but the stuff I got today is fine and so soft. It even has a little sheen to it. I have a cloth half done. I've decided that it would make a nice face cloth because it's so soft. I only paid $5 for my pair today.
The Rustic Cottage Etsy Shop http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
Visit my blog! http://nwfarmerette.blogspot.com |
| katiedid |
Posted - Dec 22 2006 : 6:28:51 PM
My husband, Eldon, is a knifemaker, and we have a workshop full of wood and metal-working tools...SOOO..I was toying with the idea of making some handmade knitting needles out of some nice hardwood, and something pretty and artistic for the ends...like fancy burled woods, damascus steel, copper, or jewlery-type beads and wire..
Your friend's velvet sleeves sound so beautiful...
How much do the needles cost??
K
my new blog http/www.theknifemakerswife.wordpress.com |
| Nance in France |
Posted - Dec 21 2006 : 12:00:01 PM
WOW! What a neat thread. I too favor bamboo or wood over metal and really do not like plastic needles at all. Never seen a bamboo crochet hook so I better open my eyes and get looking! A girlfriend makes wooden needles and made me two pairs, one walnut and one cherry, and she makes a neat, brightly painted end for them, too. SOOOOO talented, just like you guys. She even made velvet sleeves for both pairs. One pair is a Christmas gift, and the other is for ME! Nance |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Dec 21 2006 : 08:32:39 AM
I just have to chime in on this topic. Since I work with fiber as a business I do tell my customers that when working with natural fibers they will find the wood or bamboo needles not to split the yarn as much as the metal needles (knitting and crocheting). It may be alittle bit more costly but the joy of working with them it well worth it. I am also not a fan of the glass needles, while very pretty they just are not practical. The sound and the coldness of the glass does not in my eyes equal the price. I also had a client drop a needle and it chipped, she was less then happy. I have an artist freind who makes handturned chopsticks and they have worked well for knitting needles too. Keep those needles busy and stay warm.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
htpp://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
htpp://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com |
| BarefootGoatGirl |
Posted - Dec 20 2006 : 1:52:21 PM
BAMBOO! I will go out of my way to buy bamboo needles! The metal ones make a scratchy sound that hurts my teeth everytime the yarn slides over them.
'
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. Proverbs 27:23 |
| pinkroses |
Posted - Dec 20 2006 : 12:07:33 PM
I love the bamboo knitting needles. I have been replacing my old ones with these.
They are more expensive; but I find the knitting easier and fasster. pinkroses. I too have carpanl tunnel sym. and arthirits every where. |
| JenniferJuniper |
Posted - Dec 20 2006 : 07:49:58 AM
Another bamboo/wood fan here. I found that aluminum ones would react with the sweat on my palms, leaving a weird metallic smell on my hands.
I have straights and dpns in all sizes 0-15, got them on eBay. I paid about $25 for each lot, when you price it in the craft stores you're lucky to get 4-5 pair for that let alone 15. I don't like the bamboo for under size 3, seems like they will snap in half. |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Dec 20 2006 : 07:10:34 AM
I think I grip too hard or something but the plastic needles get all bent out of shape when I have tried them. I like that they don't make that noise though. The wood ones are much more easy to find than they used to be..don't you gals agree???
Catherine..I am a fiber snob on some projects too..but stuff for my youngest kids is all about washable. I do love those wonderful woolen and mohair and alpaca yarns..and LOVE knitting with homespun!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Dec 20 2006 : 06:19:41 AM
That scrapey metal sound is the sound of my childhood!! My mother would knit all winter long and what do I remember most? That horrible sound- scrape, click, scrape, click!! It is probably why I did not start knitting until I was an adult. :) So, needless to say, it's wood needles for me- I prefer the birch needles, but will knit with acrylic as well. I love the slippiness of them!!
Karin |
| cmandle |
Posted - Dec 20 2006 : 05:49:16 AM
Wood! I am a fiber snob AND a wooden needle snob. I agree with Aunt Jenny, I hate the scrapey sound of metal needles!!
Catherine :)
http://yogurtandgranola.blogspot.com |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Dec 19 2006 : 9:46:42 PM
Wood for sure. I have some very short glove DPs that are ebony..a gift from a friend long ago. I love how they feel and work. They are an odd size too 3.75. But I like them alot!
I use mostly the birch ( I think) ones and have some bamboo too. My circulars are all bamboo except the really really big ones which are metal..I hate that scrapey noise they make!!
My straight needles are all wood too..at least the ones I use.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| katiedid |
Posted - Dec 19 2006 : 9:26:12 PM
Just bringing this up again...I got myself some new knitting needles at Roberts..I needed some size 1 double points to knit some baby booties...I was happy to find bamboo needles there..for only $5-$7 a pair!!
Go ahead and weigh in...what are your favorite needles?? I personally love wood.
Anyone make homemade knitting needles?
Kate
my new blog http/www.theknifemakerswife.wordpress.com |
| rosebud74a |
Posted - Feb 21 2006 : 10:37:16 PM
oh glass needles interesting, not sure how well i woul do with those. I tried bamboo needles for the first time beacuse of this hat I was making. There were no other options for circular needles aside from the bamboos, I really loved them. I went back and got dp's which are bamboo as well. I think that I will slowly phase into all bamboo needles. I can' afford to replace all my needles right now...and the old metal needles have sentimental value as they were my great aunt's. makes me feel some how closer to her using her old metal needles, even with the clanking noise and the cold :)
Stacy
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt, 'This Is My Story,' 1937
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| Jana |
Posted - Feb 21 2006 : 11:37:22 AM
I also love bamboo. I have had fibromyalgia for 15 years and it totally changed my world as an "arty" person. I tried some of the plastic needles by Bryspun, but the smaller sizes are a bit too "bendy" for me. I like slippy needles and the bamboo are the closest to plastic or metal in that regard (my opinion). My favorite circulars are addi natura, but they are $$$$. My dps and straights are Crystal Palace (I dont' like the join on the CP circulars).
My favorite place to get them is by mail from the following shop in my home town!
www.yarnsbydesign.com
Jana |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Feb 21 2006 : 04:18:12 AM
OK I was wrong. Here is a link to an article http://www.arnos.com.au/swallow/news.html It seems the brand name is Swallow but the needles are now made from milk protein (casein). I am sure I read about the swallow's nest? Maybe that was what gave the original people the idea to try milk protein?
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Feb 21 2006 : 04:15:07 AM
I'm not sure any more of the brand name for the swallow's nest needles, but they are made from a kind of protein that is made by taking old swallows nests and boiling them down (I am SURE they wait until the swallows are gone!) The needles feel like plastic but somehow they are warmer and more flexible. I will go look it up on a knitting site or google and see what I come up with. The two pairs I have are lavendar and amber-colored.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Feb 20 2006 : 8:14:27 PM
wow glass knitting needles...seems like not my thing either..but I bet they are pretty. I can't stand the noise the metal ones make so I am pretty sure I wouldn't like glass either. I love the wooden ones!!
What do you mean by Swallows nest Brenda?
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Feb 20 2006 : 7:07:36 PM
I love my bamboo needles too and since I started using them don't want to knit on anything else. I was at a fiber fair last year and there was a lady selling glass needles - interesting in concept, but I tried them out and there was a little "clang" like a bell ringing everytime the needles touched and I thought, no, my wrists and hands will not be happy.
I like the circular bamboo needles the best. But I do have some straight ones for knitting socks and mittens that are "swallow's nest" that aren't too bad for the arthritis.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| thehouseminder |
Posted - Nov 07 2005 : 07:07:08 AM
I have one bamboo crochet hook but it is in my knitting bag. I use it to weave in my ends.
I think it must be something primal that makes it so relaxing and rewarding to use tools made from natural materials
Lucinda
When we were young, there were moments of such perfectly crystallized happiness that we stood stock still and silently promised ourselves that we would remember them always. And we did. --Holly J. Burkhalter , "Four Midwestern Sisters' Christmas Book"
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| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Nov 06 2005 : 10:00:42 PM
I bought one (crochet hook in bamboo) that I havn't tried yet either. I do like to crochet, but seem to knit alot more often. Wood just feels so much nicer in your hands. I tend to bend the plastic knitting needles and hate that noise the metal ones make..sets my teeth on edge.
Jenny in Utah
Put all your eggs in one basket..and then watch that basket!! Mark Twain |
| Kathigene |
Posted - Nov 06 2005 : 9:44:01 PM
Hi Cat, I'm going to try the bamboo crochet hooks as well. I bought one recently but I have too many knitting projects going to start something crochet right this minute! But I'm sure that I will also enjoy using them as well.
Kathy
Dogs make such good friends because they wag their tails rather then their tongues. |
