making knitting needles...I have questions

[trendydiva]

Alrighty,

I wanted to learn to knit, but at the time am not really 100% sure if this is something that I really want to invest in so I thought about making my own needles, till I see if I reallly like this whole thing, but then someone told me making your own can cause problems with the knitting because the needles can hook on to the yarn or end up being the worng size....is this true? any tips for helping me to prevent this from happening?

[ecinue88]

There isn't really a right size when it comes to knitting needles since there is a gauge and you switch around needle size to match the gauge.

Snagging yarn really depends on the material you use and sanding that you do.

Knitting needles are relatively inexpensive (2-3 dollars) anyway, so if you are worried about it I'd say just get cheap pair. Pick a beginner project like a scarf (no gauge needed), read the instructions for the knitting needle size and just get those. Once you get a feel for what kind of needles you prefer, then try making your own.

[tinydancer]

I absolutely agree. Just get a standard size (6). I think I only paid 2 bucks for mine. This is my second week of knitting - and I love it. My first week was frustrating because I kept stitching to tight. This is definitly not for someone who wants a quick project. I don't know how many times I kept ripping my first few rows apart and starting over. You've got to be determined.

I found a kit for 10 bucks at hobby lobby. It has a set of needles, to skeins of yarn, a little bit of instructions and a plastic sewing needle. I have to admit, it was kindof a waste. If I had looked on the internet for the instructions and got the rest myself, I would've paid less than 5 bucks.

More instructions can be found online. People in knitting forums and lists will be more than happy to help you if you get stuck.

Once you feel like you want to stick with this, go out and buy Stitch n Bitch. Great projects to look through and try and a lot more instructions.

Have fun!

[knittykat]

I second that.  I made my own needles and, well, I could have made a scarf in the time it took to make the needles!  I made mine because I wanted to try wooden needles but did not want to invest in wooden needles.  Aluminum and plastic needles are actually quite cheap.  About the same as handmade wooden needles but much much easier!

I definitely encourage you to try making your own needles if that is something you would enjoy, but maybe not for your first time out.  I also noticed that my wooden needles got better with use--they were a little scratchy at first so I knitted a couple of squares with them to let them smooth out and let the oils in my hands condition them before I used them on a nice project.

Good luck, and do post any questions, myself and the other knitters will be happy to help out.  Lots of people have helped me and I love to give back.

Kat

[trendydiva]

thanks all you knitters out there I found some great instuction for making my own needles

http://www.littlecabbage.com/diy/needles.html
http://www.3gcs.com/adcock/free%20patterns/handmade_knitting_needles.htm

So I think I'll give making them a go, I was afarid, to do so because I had hear that when you make your own,your knitting turns out all worng, I was worried.

So I think I'll make them and if this is something I plan to stick with I'm going to buy a set of bamboo needles from this company:
http://www.themoongarden.net/tropicalknitter/shopknset.html

I'm also investing in a few books on knitting....I'm so proud of myself...today I learned how to cast on...I felt so accomplished (hehe). Believe me I'll be asking you all questions...

[kayray]

Wow those acorn-topped needles are _cute_!!

If you decide that knitting is for you,  may I suggest a set of interchangeable circular needles?  I've been using my Boye Needlemaster set for about 10 years, along with about 6 sets of dps in various sizes.  It's really nice knowing that whatever size needle you need, circular or straight, is right there in your knitting bag!  I hear good things about the Denise set, too.  

http://www.nakedsheep.com/boyneedknitn.html (I've seen it a little cheaper somewhere)

http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer03/FEATdenise.html

I've never used the Denise ones.  I kinda want a set, although  the smallest needle in the Denise set is a 5, while the smallest in my Boye set is a 2 (my most frequently used size).

I'm sure you can google for reviews of each system and see if they sound like something you'd enjoy using!

I don't mean to sound like an advertisement :) I just think my interchangeable needles are the best thing since sliced bread, heheheh.

Have fun knitting!

Kara

[kategirl]

I've also made a few pairs of needles with little balls of yarn on top.  you just kind of wrap the yarn around the very top of the dowel until you get a little built up, then start looping around the top and such to get the look of a mini ball of yarn.  if you pull the yarn tightly it'll stay if you just glue the ends of the yarn securely.  I'll post pics if I can get it to scan decently.

[knittinknut]

I've never even thought about making knitting needles.  That's great because I'm starting college soon and the dough isn't exactly flowing through well.  

[LAWebChick]

It's really nice knowing that whatever size needle you need, circular or straight, is right there in your knitting bag!  I hear good things about the Denise set, too.

I recently picked up a Denise set on eBay, and I cannot tell you how much I love it. Everything in one place. Lightweight. Sturdy. Weight of the project on your lap, not on your wrists. Awesome!  Plus the end caps to store the WIP, or create straight (sorta) needles. The only thing I use unless I'm doing something fiddly, which is rare. I cannot say enough nice things.

I also found out that even though my jury summons specifically said "no knitting needles" since they're short and plastic, they didn't even make a blip on the x-ray. I had two different jealous knitters come ask me how I got them in...  I got to spend 8 hours knitting today, finishing up one sleeve of my very first ever sweater because of my interchangables  

[hollflanders]

I've heard good things about the Denise needle set. Since the money isn't flowing down here, I set out to make some chopstick needles.  Tutorial is on the "Completed Projects" thread.