Hi, I am trying to knit an afghan (my first) and I am using circular needles and I keep making the same mistake. Anyway, I want Flex needles which are a cross between circular and straight needles. They look like circular needles except that, instead of ending in 2 points, they have 1 point and 1 stopper at the end of the flex or flexible nylon filament. These are often available in long lengths suitable for afghan making, and are more comfortable to use than straight needles for heavy projects.
Anybody got a set sitting around they wish to part with?
I love mine, and use them more and more. The points are stainless steel, and I have them buffed to just the right texture to get a grip on the yarn but still slide like lightning! But, I'm not sure you would like mine, they are size US #1.
If I were working with larger needles, I would go for one of the interchangeable needle sets like
Yikes!! My "Knit-Chec" needle gauge does not even go up that big!!! : _)
Now, Mirjam, avert your eyes. I am going to express a greed for new needles : )
I would take pieces of wooden dowel, about the right diameter, bore a small hole in one end and taper the other end. Then, I would slightly taper the end with a hole in it. I would get some 200 pound test nylon monofilament leader and some appropriate crimps from a (mail order is cheaper) fishing supply company. I would put a crimp on one end of a piece of leader and use crimp to epoxy the end of the leader into the hole in the end of the dowel. At the other end of the leader, I would use another crimp to hold a bead or one of the little wooden wheels that Michaels sells for making toys, but I use for making knitting needles. (Note that epoxy will not stick to the nylon leader material, hence the crimps. And, the leader material is difficult to knot.) Then I would sand every thing smooth and varnish or oil all the wood. That is how I would make a set using the stuff that I have on hand. It would take maybe $4 worth of materials and 2 hours time plus 8 hours of cure/ dry time for the epoxy/ varnish.
A trip to the hardware store might result in flex needles made of Lexan Plastic and stainless steel cable. Or, one of the castable resins?
These days home made knitting needles offer a certain amount of "bragging rights." And, making them yourself is one way to get needles that are just what you want. Sometimes custom needles are the only path foreword on a project.
May i look now ,,, all this side looking isn`t healthuy for one`s eyes ,,,, making your own new needles has nothing to with greed but with skill , best of luck , You are blessed to be able to do this , mirjam
As I keep saying, " Knitting needles seem so simple, and yet they have such subtle complexities."
It is like food. If you are real fussy about your food, you are going to have to cook it yourself to get it just right. And, if you get it just right, everyone else at the table will be happy to help you eat it : )
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