DIY circular needles from dowels w/pics and tutorial

[Nicole Randome]

I hope it was ok to start a new thread for this. Feel free to flog me if needed. And yes, my pictures are not so good.

There has to be at least one other person here who is cheap enough and hardcore enough to try this.  Most of the finishing and shaping techniques are the same as regular dowel/chopstick needles http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=2611.0

The magic ingredient is: Weed eater line. I got this package for about $2.50 at walmart. At 150 feet I won't be running out any time soon. Be sure to get the round line, not the ridged.

These are going to be size 8 needles. I cut these pieces 4" to make a 32" set. For shorter circs, I would cut them as short as 3 or 3.5" - sharpen the tips and sand the ends so they slightly taper.

I used a Dremel to drill holes about 1/2" deep in the ends. This part takes a steady hand, but the Dremel makes it easy.

Squeeze a little super glue into the holes, and insert the cord ends.

When the glue is dry, sand and finish the needles, tapering as much as you can toward the cable for an unbroken surface. On these smaller diameter needles, I then put a dab of regular Elmer's glue at the juncture, which dries nice and smooth. On a bigger needle, cone shaped beads or other creative measures may need to be taken.
A few hours later, a pair of circs that didn't cost me a trip to the yarn store or much $$ at all. 

[mew]

I <3 you.

No really, I do... I've been wondering how to attach a line to the needles for the longest time...

[knitoramamomma]

Brilliant!  I really never would have thought to do something like that.  I just plop down the bucks for every stinkin size of those babys!  Now I don't have to!  Yeah!

[Halidays]

What size dremel bit did you use to drill the holes in the needles?

[wootwoot]

I've never even used circular needles, but now I want to make some in every size.  Cheap people rock!

[mwyn]

Excellent Idea;  I need various circular's for all sorts of things.  Customizing is WONDERFUL  Many Thanks, mwyn

[kategirl]

*raises hand*  I aso have made diy circulars.  I used the clear plastic tubing that you can get for a buck at home depot.  I just kind of carved away at the end of the wooden point until the tube fit snuggly on the end with no breaks, then glued it to make sure it stayed.  now I'll have to try your way. 

[meexie]

Fabulous!  Now I just need a few hours and a Dremel tool...

[cheekymamaof2]

Ohhhhh's and Ahhhhh's. ingenious! far out...im gonna have to try it. thanks for the tut!

[girlypirate]

i have all the stuff to make these but i just haven't gotten around to it.  i think i'm motivated.  thanks.