chopstick/dowel knitting needle tutorial

[calliopegreen]

thanks

[ForestGreen]

I managed to get to the closest hobby shop to me over the weekend, but I didn't find anything smaller than a 1/8 inch dowel. This particular hobby shop seemed to focus on role playing games though. I saw tons of game manuals, but not a lot of train or airplane stuff. I hate to rag, but they didn't have any size labels on the dowels or other wooden stuff. Perhaps it's because they're in a college town and don't get a lot of people in wanting to hand build things. It's possible that a different hobby shop would have a better selection of dowels.
Em

[beatlesfan]

I managed to get to the closest hobby shop to me over the weekend, but I didn't find anything smaller than a 1/8 inch dowel. This particular hobby shop seemed to focus on role playing games though. I saw tons of game manuals, but not a lot of train or airplane stuff. I hate to rag, but they didn't have any size labels on the dowels or other wooden stuff. Perhaps it's because they're in a college town and don't get a lot of people in wanting to hand build things. It's possible that a different hobby shop would have a better selection of dowels.
Em

I think your best bet is to check out places that sell miniatures for dollhouses. There is a magazine called Nutshell news that has patterns for things that call for very small dowels so I am sure they have resources for where to buy them. Check the phone book and see if you have any stores that sell miniatures and you will probably find the dowels you need.

[ForestGreen]

Thanks for the suggestion Beatlesfan. My mom used to be into dollhouse miniatures for a while and I think she still has some Nutshell News magazines floating around somewhere. I'll ask next time she comes for a visit.
As for stores near me that sell miniatures, the hobby shop I visited was it. Thank goodness for catalogs and websites!
I have seen doll house minis at another hobby shop before but it was much bigger and better stocked....and in a much bigger town than I can get to.

[Miru]

Ya know, all the crafting I do and it never occured to me to paint my chopstic needles... ::smacks forehead:: It's a beautiful paint job, by the way.

Stacy

[ariisi]

Hi, this is my first post. Everyone on this site is so talented. I was thinking about baking fimo on the ends of the dowels, and I think it would work to stick the needles upright in a bowl of sand or beans so that the clay wont get squished. Just remember that the bowl/container needs to be oven-safe.
I already have so many ideas after looking over the posts, now I just need to find a way to make them with limited supplies/money (I live in the dorms).

[jezze]

I needed some 9mm circulars for a project and none of the shops I went to had anything in that size; and then I found this thread! Thanks to Box of Rain for the instructions for the circulars - they work briliiantly. I used epoxy glue to stick the cord in, because that's just what I had. I didn't need to sand much, and used steel wool to polish the needles before a final polish with wax paper. The steel wool really smooths the wood well.

[sharc]

Wow!! I've just found this and read the entire post, and am going to head out tomorrow to get me some supplies to tackle this!!! I'm so excited about it  I have one question though that I'm a bit confused on. . . .it's sand then wax then paint, or is it sand, paint and then wax  ?

[loves2experiment]

I'm always looking for new knitting needles to add to my collection.  Must. Try. This.

[aadttsm]

My dowel DPNs:


Colored with... Rainbow Sharpies!! Won't chip-off, doesn't bleed off.  Sealed with wax.  :-)