[GDW]

Hi, what difference does it make to you and/or your knitting if you use bamboo needles?

 

[e.ridenh]

Hi, what difference does it make to you and/or your knitting if you use bamboo needles?

~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, this could take a bit, May, but some folks like one material over the other to produce more even tension for one.....personal choices.......

A newbie, I'm thinking, get them on wood and acrylic yarn for some drag as they're working to keep the stitches from slipping off, the needles from slipping off each other.......

As I grew up on aluminum knitting needles and hooks, I just prefer them as they slide most yarns quick and that's what I now want.......

I have some plastic ones, too that are slick......I did no go the glass knitting needles and hooks........show boat only, eh? LOL!!

We collect here, too and I'm not afraid to bring wood anything home - wood needles need more maintaining, IMHO, than the others.......as with heavy use, wood will wear......I'd put on a paste wax using 0000 steel wool, two aps........couple new poly dull coats......on any that needed work.........particularly my antique ones.......

I've have the sharper points these days, too.

Good luck, sweetie and have a great TG!

Donna Rae

 

[Whittle1775]

I started using bamboo needles as I had been told they were better for arthritis sufferers and I wouldn't use anything else now. They seem to have a little more 'give' than steel needles and they are surprisingly smooth. My tension seems to be more even with them too.

Recently I bought a set of KnitPro interchangeable knitting points with four different sized cables but I have not tried these yet.

Margaret.

 

[Mysoxsuck]

Find I prefer the bamboo when knitting socks; less chance of a stitch slipping off.

 

[Dreamweaver]

It is all a matter of what you knit and how. For me, the bamboo is not a good choice. I have some but do not enjoy them as the tips are blunt and I can feel them dulling. I also do not care for the feel. I like a hard or more polished feel on my wook needles. I am not a fan of plastic either. Many do prefer the bamboo for sox because it is less slick and the stitches stay on better. This is not an issue for me so I prefere a stronger DPN.

 

[mama879]

I'm not a fan of plastic the yarn seems to stick on them so it is not smooth I knit slow to start so this makes me even slower, Bamboo are nice light weight I think easy to work with and metal are the easiest to work with, It just matters what I'm working on thats what I use. It it your own preference what to use.

 

[roseknit]

I prefer steel needles for quickness

 

[elliejellybean]

I like steel for most projects, but prefer wood for socks as the yarn is less likely to slip off the smaller DPNs.

 

[Isa53]

I have some cream colored plastic dpns that I use for socks. Can't remember who makes them but they have very good points and the socks will not slip. I still like the aluminum but lately, my favs are my Harmony straights. I have some bamboo that I like but found that after a lot of use, I do have to sand and smooth the tips.

 

[Sheila H]

I've used all 3 types of needles, not a lot of difference really except the bamboo ones are a bit lighter
As for stitches sticking on your needles, the way i stop this is to have some talc handy when they start sticking i rub some on my hands then rub this over my needle, work a row then rub the other needle with talc to. Hope this tip helps..

Sheila H

 

[Hoosier Grandma]

I have been gradually buying the bamboo needles. I just like the way they "feel". I have lots of steel needles too. One bad thing - I didn't know I dropped a dpn and stepped on it when I stood up. It splintered in the middle had to throw it out. Was not happy with myself. So Im knitting socks with 4 woods and one metal needle. I've noticed that metal needles you can hear them click as you knit. Not sure if that is a comfort or distraction.

 

[ulrika]

I love using bamboo needles. I really wouldn't use anything else. I like them because I can knit longer and my hands don't get as tired. I like the way they warm up a bit while using them.

 

[ttriciamck]

Much of it is personnel preference.

I prefer using bamboo or wood as I find them lighter and more comfortable to use. There is also a reasonable anount of "resistance" so the stitches don't fly off the needle.

Metal has less resistance but that can make knitting quicker.

I don't like acrylic but haven't used any for years and they may have improved.

 

[mbard3731]

I don't like bamboo. With arthritis seems like the yarn doesn't slide well.

 

[GDW]

thanks ladies for responding, I prefer metal / aluminum myself, but have now got problems in the C5 area of my neck, and was wondering if i should change to bamboo...... From your comments I will stick to what I have got.

 

[momma p]

Hello Elizabeth! Welcome to the world of "by the time we know what we're doing...the body says NO!". Cervical problems - well, dealing with spinal stenosis and three herniated cervical discs here. I switch needles according to the fiber I'm using. Right now I'm using my beloved KA bamboo interchangeables. Because the yarn clings better, I find I am not making those involuntary...and painful...sudden moves when the yarn tries to jump off my metal needles. BUT...the most helpful thing I've found is to modify my posture. My body wants to curl over my knitting...like a mother cherishing her baby. BAD, BAD! If I add a bit more padding to the arm-rests on my "knitting rocker", that brings the hands up closer...and the neck is less flexed (straighter). Eventually, the arms and hands grow numb...but it takes longer! More knitting/;crocheting time! Good luck! Margaret

thanks ladies for responding, I prefer metal / aluminum myself, but have now got problems in the C5 area of my neck, and was wondering if i should change to bamboo...... From your comments I will stick to what I have got.

 

[barborza]

Most sets of DP needles come with 5 needles just for this reason. I sat on the last one I broke.

 

[barborza]

I use different needles depending on what I'm knitting. Bamboo for socks and slippery yarn I often use for scarves. I like lace round needles, as they have longer, pointier ends. I have some of my mother's old aluminum needles, but never use them - can't stand the sound of them rubbing each other!

 

[JohnnyG]

I'm too new to make a really good comparison, but bamboo needles are quieter. They don't make that little snick-snick-snick noise that aluminum needles make. And I really do try to avoid annoying my wife of 35 years, despite what she might say

 

[Marlys]

I love the bamboo needles but have also broken a few of them when doing intricat patterns But on the hands they are so much easier than the the steel. Plastic I never use..