Friday 21 September 2012

Needles Old and New



I decided to post about knitting needles, partly because I have no finished projects this week, but also I wanted to take some photos where I could work on the depth of field. They're not quite perfect, but it was interesting experimenting, and some of my first attempts were terrible. Hubby (still calling him that on the blog) was leaning over my shoulder giving me advice.

Today I was out shopping and saw a rack of lovely bamboo knitting needles. They just all looked so nice hanging there, that I couldn't resist buying a pair. There were also some very expensive rosewood needles. I wonder if some needles are more suited to different wools.  Does anyone know? 

New Needles

Most of my needles are metal, but I do have a few very old pairs of plastic ones that came from my mum. I think they are really jolly, but every so often one of the needle snaps, I guess from plastic fatigue.



I'm going to give my new needles a try out this evening. What sort of needles do you prefer?

22 comments:

  1. Now I have to admit that I am definitely a Knit Picks (Knit Pros) kinda gal. I used to use any kind of needle, preferable circulars, but then I ordered the "Trial" pack from KP some time back. It has one of each of their kinds of needle tips inside (Birchwood, Chrome and Acrylic :))and some cables. I must honestly say that although I am definitely a bamboo DPN person in my KP circulars, my favs are the chrome. They glide so wonderfully and are a pleasure to knit with. They are solid so there is no chrome attachment base, and there is a smooth connection to the cable, so no catching of wool as I knit. The acrylic tips are ok, although I have had some come apart, and the birchwood tips are lovely but I have also heard many people complaining of breakage with those.
    Just my five cents hope it helps ;-)
    x

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  2. I like my metal needles the most. But I find it nice to have a whole collection of needles in a glass on my shelves (not my mum's, she still has hers). I don't like bamboo needles because they are too pointy for my taste split the yarn. Maybe I could make the point more round. :-)

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  3. Love your starfish pattern and the monarch butterfly, You are so talented!

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  4. I have a metal jug full of pairs, and also odd knitting needles. A mixture of plastic, metal, and a few bamboo. Plus the odd pair of circular needles. I have had problems with bamboo needles either splitting the yarn, or the needle cracking at the tip...I think I need to sort out my needles now!....

    Wendy

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  5. Bamboo every time!

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  6. I wish I was more of a knitter. I knit scarves (occasionally) but prefer cross stitch. However I do love the feel of the wooden needles when I do knit.

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  7. My daughter knits and she inherited knitting needles from my husband's sister who died before I married him, long before our daughter was born. She has knitting needles everywhere. Good shots. Here's Mine

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  8. I wish I knew how to knit, I love the daisy pumps, OMG you're so talented :D *New Follower*

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  9. I don't knit...wish I did! I tried once, back in the day, and the result was pathetic. But I do recall how peaceful knitting felt. I like the colorful ones in your shots. Thanks for sharing.

    Here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

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  10. Those new needles are so pretty! I don't have any knitting needles, just some forlorn crochet hooks that hardly ever get used.

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  11. I rarely use straight needles anymore. I LOVE my circs, especially my Addi's.

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  12. Tried knitting in my youth and now I just admire other's talents♫♪
    I treasure my NEEDLE nosed pliers the most!

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  13. My mother always tried to get me to knit but somehow I never got the hang of it though. It's such a wonderful craft! I love the little Christmas ornaments.

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  14. I'm not a knitter but my daughter is. These look very cool.

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  15. I have bamboo ones which I like knitting with, and I had some wooden ones - birch I think - which were fabulous, but I snapped them... My Snapshot is at http://goo.gl/W9O2Z

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  16. Great shots of the knitting needles! I've always used the metal ones until just now when I was given a pair of wooden ones and they're fabulous! I presume they're bamboo, but a dark colour.

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  17. Rosewood or metal for me, depending on the project and the yarn. The rosewood ones always look good in pics of my knitting, which can be a consideration!

    Good post :D

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  18. I am just a beginner knitter, so I have metal #9's ... this winter, I'm going to buy circular needles because I want to knit a baby blanket ... I love the look of bamboo neeedles though ...

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  19. All my needles are metal. They are all very old and in some cases a tiny bit bent! Never used wooden ones they look nice I have to say.

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  20. lovely vintage needles, I have some similar that I got at a garage sale. I think my favourite needles would be bamboo although any circulars are my favourite over straights generally because I cant loose one:)

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  21. I have a collection of needles I have periodically rescued from ebay. (Go to my blog and check out the header picture for more details).
    I prefer my casein straight needles because they warm up and are more pliable in my hands. I love my Knitpicks Harmony because they are interchangeables, but my go-to needles are Addi Clicks, nice sharp tips and a cable that never kinks or creates a problem as the stitches move over the join. I dream of someday buying a pair of Signatures or black carbon needles.

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