Knitting needles - bamboo & Wood?

[joyfulspike]

Have taken up knitting again and need to buy some needles. I used to borrow my mum's, she had plastic which I hated and metal needles. In our local shop its plastic or metal only, but online, I've seen bamboo and wooden ones. Have any of you used bamboo or wood and what are they like compared to metal?
I've also seen knit picks but I think its a bit expensive for me at the moment (I LOVE gadgety type things).

I'm not sure if forking out for a set of needles is a good idea as I'm not sure how much knitting I'll actually do, but it does seem cheaper in the long run to buy a set.

Any advice or recomendations please? Thanks

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Hi joyful, I always use bamboo. Just because they're nice to feel and hold and look at and the ugly grey metal ones remind me of old ladies. But the knitting's just the same! I've only ever bought pairs so can't comment on the sets but I think it's like baking tins, the size I want is never the one I've got ...

I'm sure someone else'll be on soon who knows more than me. Good luck

Oh, I hate metal needles so completely sympathise. I prefer wood to bamboo for more things, but if you want slippy needles then bamboo are better. I have actually just ordered a bamboo version of the Knitpicks ones, but they are only available in the US. I would try one pair before buying a set to be honest

most things, not more things, sorry...

I'm am the odd one out here, I hate bamboo and wood needles. I do use them, but if given the choice I would plump for metal everytime.

I REALLY like my Denises too Pruni, I never thought they'd be so great.
A slight problem for me with bamboo is I can be a sweaty-pawed knitter at times and this does not go well with bamboo!

I don't have the knit picks ones, but I do have the Boye interchangeable and they don't seem to come undone.

Thanks for your suggesttions, I've had alook at the Denise and Boye needles and have to admit I'm baffled thick. How do you knit with them? I just can't picture it in my head!

The boye ones I use mostly for knitting in the round (although I dressmake, I loathe seaming knitting, so I knit lots of stuff in the round) but you can use them as flexible needles, so you just pop an end widgie on the end and they become a needle, albeit wobbly at the end. You screw the needle ends to the flexible bit and tighten them with a little key thing.

Thank you for clearing that up - it makes more sense. I had visions of knitting on one end while the rest fell off the other! I'm short so bendy ended needles would help me sit more comfortably in my chair.

Hmm, will def look more seriously at them again, especially as I'll need a circular needle for the pattern I want to do.

I love circular knitting, none of that seaming lark, have often wondered why, when I can sew perfectly well in a straight line and find it enjoyable, quite why I loathe seaming but I just do.

Ive got some Pony bamboo needles size 7 and 10mm. Theyre much nicer than the usual ones that size, which seem to be plastic, and I find they have a strange feel to them as the rub past each other!

Ive also got some DPNs which I got online for soclks, which are made out of casein - isnt that in cheese? - but havent used them yet.

Yes that's my problem with bamboo and wood, not enough slip, although that does come in handy if I'm knitting with cotton. Otherwise I'm a metal girl.

What are you going to knit aviatrix?

Ive just started my first sock, I followed the casting on and arranging as described in this month's Knit Today and it was easier than trying to work it out myself.

But theres also some online tutorials if you google.

Dpns are much easier than you think, in fact the first time I knitted socks, I was surprised how easy they were. I used a pattern in a hip knits book.

I like Addi bamboo circular needles (you can just use them as straight needles, just get to the end and then swap round) which have the benefit of a lovely flexible cable and are fairly smooth. Circular needles have the advantage that you will never lose a needle though. I don't use straight needles anymore. Having said that, you will find straight bamboo needles for sale at any JL, or you can mail order - Kangaroo ship needles for 40p each and have a big range, including bamboo and wood. Personally I'd buy the needles you actually need for the current project and then, if you get hooked, you can consider an interchangeable set, when you know what you like!

I have actually bought the harmony set but have yet to use them - they feel very slippy though not as slippy as metal. I think if you are a tight knitter, slippy is better and if you are a loose knitter (like me) then bamboo works quite well.

Aviatrix, have a look at the tech knitting site - she is very clear on how to use dpns. I've knit so many hats lately I am getting better and better on dpns!

I love bamboo needles - they are much lighter than metal which seems to make a big difference to my speed.

fetching (I had never heard of this word) seem to be remarkably popular on Ravelry at the moment. Maybe it's an american thing.

here you are:
techknitting
I started fetching but my wool was too fuzzy (mirasol alpaca) and they also came up quite big. So check your own handsize. I will knit a pair one day! There is a fetching hat on the ravelry site which is very cute.
oh and joyfulspike, join Ravelry!