I have only tried bamboo needles a couple of times, but just didn’t like them. I found them difficult to use and that my knitting was overly tight on them. It also felt like the yarn was snagging or that there was friction between the yarn and needles.
Is it just me? I hear so many of you raving about them, or recomending wooden needles but, I just can’t share your enthusiasm!
Well, I doubt that all bamboo needles are created equal. I know they aren’t. I got a super cheat pair at Wal-Mart that were terrible (they were circulars and it was mostly where the bamboo joined the cord that the problem was). My DH even made me some out of bamboo chopstitcks. They were actually pretty good, have very sharp points, but he had issues with the bamboo wanting to get splitty at tips and catch on things. Some were better than others. I suppose the same would be true of wooden needles too.
But everybody has different tastes in needles and even different ones for different yarns and types of knitting. I think some people like the bamboo because of the friction between yarn and needle that you mentioned. I don’t suppose that makes everyone knit too tightly. Snagging I don’t think anyone would be enamored with.
I can take bamboo needles or leave them, the ones we have are a little blunt for my taste, but they are my husband’s favorite needles. So, to each his own.
Wood needles are fine for some yarns, not so good with others. I have a few and just use them as I would the metal ones. They’re just another needle to me, neither better nor worse than the others.
I don’t like wooden needles at all. I haven’t tried the Harmony needles though, and they might be an exception. I also haven’t tried Lantern Moon needles, but I would like to. I’ve used bamboo, and the yarn just doesn’t slide easily enough for me. Plus, and I know this will sound weird, they make my teeth hurt. It’s the same sensation you get when you bite on foil…I think of or feel the wooden needles and my teeth hurt. I know. That’s strange.
you know i get that feeling too. i just didnt know how to describe it!
:roflhard: I’m not the only one!
so far I haven’t met a wooden needle I liked. This could change.
I have to agree that all wooden needles are not alike; some are certainly better quality than others. I’ve used the Takumi brand bamboo and was happy with them, but I can’t compare because I haven’t use anything else. And since I bought my KP Options I use those for almost everything.
I also have to agree that bamboo needles are better with some types of yarn than others. If you’re knitting with a thick wool, I think bamboo could be problematic; but if you’re using a yarn that’s slippery and fine, bamboo might be a better choice than nickel-plated needles. I know that the bamboo needles tend to be more blunt than metal needles (especially Options), so that’s another factor to consider.
I was thrilled to have my bamboo circs, though, when I flew from California to Dallas-Ft. Worth last December! I was able to take them in my carry-on (with the knitting in progress) and no one said a word or even seemed to notice. I’m pretty sure metal needles would have been a problem in going through airport security. So, there’s a time and place for everything. :teehee:
However – if you absolutely can’t stand to use bamboo or wooden needles, that’s fine! Don’t worry about it, just use what you enjoy. After all, knitting’s supposed to be fun! :happydance:
Here’s my take on this subject. I have tried a lot of different wood needles. I used dp wood needles when decreasing a hat. I tried circular wood needles. I felt the same way you all do. Now for the good news! The Harmony wood from Knit Picks is a very different story. I have the set of Harmony sock dp wood needles, I have the Harmony wood interchangeable set as well. I also have some of the harmony wood circular 24 in’ for doing socks on two circular.I LOVE THEM! They feel just like the nickel plated. The yarn moves so smooth and nice on these needles. They are wonderful to work with.
Maybe someday I’ll try the Harmony ones. So far I haven’t liked wood needles at all. I love the Options though!
I’ve only tried one bamboo needle in a size 13 for an afghan and it was ok. I bought the Harmony circulars and I love them for wool. I don’t think I would like them as well for cotton or any other yarn that doesn’t slide well, but for wool and an acrylic boucle yarn I worked with I love them.
I can see using different needles with different yarns as I don’t knit tightly and having an eclectic collection of circulars I have found the ones I really hate are plastic.
I have never liked wooden needles or bamboo until I bought just one pair of Harmony interchangeable needles. I will definitely buy more of these. they are lovely and smooth and very pretty to look at.
Harmony Knitpicks are gorgeous so smooth and lovely to look at I use mine all the time now x
I hear they don’t move well with the yarn so I don’t want to spend any money on them.
I haven’t tried wooden needles yet but I want some because they are so pretty. I know that I don’t like aluminum for cotton or acrylic!!!
I’ve never tried wood needles but am quite fond of eating with chopsticks so would probably like them. :mrgreen:
I do not like Clover bamboo needles, however, they are useful when teaching newbies to knit. And, you can loan them out without sleepless nights.
I like Crystal Palace bamboo needles. (they are bamboo, aren’t they?:??)
I like Lantern Moon Rosewood needles better than Crystal Palace, for a non-metal alternative.
[B]However, KnitPick’s [COLOR=Blue]H[/COLOR][COLOR=Teal]A[/COLOR][COLOR=Purple]R[/COLOR][COLOR=Magenta]M[/COLOR][COLOR=Blue]O[/COLOR][COLOR=Green]N[/COLOR][COLOR=Purple]Y[/COLOR] needles beat them all, hands down.[/B]
I am using Harmony’s for my Malabrigo mid-calf hooded coat right now. They perform much better with Malabrigo. Give a better gauge, more consistent. Easier to maintain the stitches just right.
Hee hee…good one, Mason.
I don’t mind wooden needles - it makes me feel connected to the women (and men perhaps) of yesteryear who didn’t have fancy metal, plastic or glass options to choose from. That being said, I agree that quality does matter and that it is harder to move them sometimes with the yarn, especially if said yarn is cotton or splitty.
Of course, I may recant this statement as I know DH ordered the Harmony set for my birthday - I am so excited that it is pathetic! :teehee:
I do not like the feel of the wooden needles I have tried. Plus I have to say I get a sense of calm from the clickity clack of the metal ones.
I am a neophyte-knitter, so I have only tried a few types. I really am liking the size 7 bamboo circular needles I got (runs off to check the brand). Ah they are Clover. I did get one splinter from them, and found I liked the tips better after I’d used them more than once right after putting lotion on my hands (I do a lot of handwashing at work, so much the dryness catches on fine yarns.) I also have a Skacel brand pair in 13 for my next scarf project, but haven’t used them yet.
I was reading Zimmermann’s Kitting w/Out Tears - she mentions oiling wooden needles, or that they seem to get conditioned from oily wools. I wonder if a little moisture helps the bamboo out?