Knitting Needles

[joyousday]

I am going to order a very nice set of knitting needles. They are interchangeable and they can come in either 3.5 inch tips or 5 inch tips. I am unsure of which ones to order. I have only used the fixed circular needles; I am assuming those are 3.5... I just want to know your preference. Thanks!

[mittenmaker]

I love Bamboo for just about everything! I found it difficult to learn to use metal DPNs and tried Bamboo, it made all the difference in the world! I have a set of 10" size 7 bamboo DPNs (10" DPNs are difficult to find!) At my request, my husband gave me a set of Birch straights for Christmas. They are so beautiful with their multicolor waves; they combine the lightness of Bamboo with the relative slippery-ness of aluminum. When I was a newbie I bought a lot of aluminum straights. I personally don't care for them due to the weight and the noise.
I remember buying my first circulars and being terrified of them! They are a lot of fun and I have lots of fixed circs. I was having little or no success using DPNs (largely due to stitches slipping off the metal needles) and partly because I just couldn't grasp the concept. Then one day it dawned on me that knitting with DPNs is a lot like making an i-cord. . .that was my epiphany. So my first project on DPNs was the Doily-Style Washcloth using Sugar'N'Cream. . .I like making those pinwheels!
I also have some Acrylic and plastic needles too--the Acrylic ones are see-through.

[mittenmaker]

I would love to try socks but they really scare me! Anyone have a good pattern for Easy first timer socks?

Bernat has a pattern for a basic sock here: http://www.bernat.com/pattern.php?PID=3013

You will find lots of free tutorials and videos online by searching for "sock tutorial".
You can do it!

Hi Shandeh! Thanks so much for the link to the basic socks pattern! It is in My Stuff now! And thanks for the encouragement and inspiration you give us!

[mittenmaker]

I use a wide variety of needles depending on the yarn and size of the project. I am currently looking for a 12 mm (size 17 US) pair of wooden 9 inch knitting needles to use for purse handles. My sister wants me to make this purse for her and if I can find these needles, I will be all set. any ideas for a source would be appriciated.

Hi pinon! Have you tried Jo-Ann, Mary Maxim, or eknittingneedles.com ?

[Shandeh]

Hi Shandeh! Thanks so much for the link to the basic socks pattern! It is in My Stuff now! And thanks for the encouragement and inspiration you give us!

I'm glad to help! Thanks for the love

[Stitchintraveler]

Do any of you use bamboo needles? I am having a bit of an issue with mine. One needle has retained it's lovely narrow sharp point and the other has become "blunt", just like a pencil lead gets blunt after it has been used for a bit. Does anyone have a "sure fire" way of restoring the point without destroying the wonderful patina that has developed from use?
The change in the sharpness of the needle is enough to affect the tension. I get one row that is slightly looser than the other. I don't like the look but find that the bamboo needles are easier on my hands than metal or plastic.
Thanks in advance for your advise.

[joyousday]

Do any of you use bamboo needles? I am having a bit of an issue with mine. One needle has retained it's lovely narrow sharp point and the other has become "blunt", just like a pencil lead gets blunt after it has been used for a bit. Does anyone have a "sure fire" way of restoring the point without destroying the wonderful patina that has developed from use?
The change in the sharpness of the needle is enough to affect the tension. I get one row that is slightly looser than the other. I don't like the look but find that the bamboo needles are easier on my hands than metal or plastic.
Thanks in advance for your advise.

I was looking into that myself since my needles are blunt. Not only that but they are bent I used google and found that you can sand your needles and then use wax (I believe it's bees wax) to fill any scratches or pox from sanding. I haven't done it but I might try it when I finish the project I'm working on.

Good luck!