Bamboo knitting needles?

[QuantaFille]

I have been looking for some sock needles on eBay, but most of the new ones are bamboo. The only metal ones seem to be old ones from estate sales and the like.

Do any of you have any experience with bamboo needles as opposed to metal ones? I almost exclusively use metal circular needles these days for sock-sized projects knitted in rounds, and thus have no experience with anything other than metal. Am I missing out on something here?

I'd like to knit some socks but most patterns are for double-pointed needles. I would think that a knitting needle in sock sizes would break easily if they're wood, and I can't find long, metal circulars in sock sizes unless it's part of a ginormous set full of stuff I'll never use.

Q.

[Crow]

I've used both bamboo and metal. The bamboos have a nice feel, and they don't break easily. They can bend out of shape (and so can metal ones) but in my experience the bamboo ones are easier to get straight again--steam them over a teakettle and then bend them back and let them dry straight--you might have to adjust it a couple of times as they're drying.

The nicest thing about the bamboo is they knit more smoothly, they're lighter, and they don't make that ugly "clack" that the metal one's do. It's an individual thing, but I find that I drop fewer stitches on the bamboo. Most people who use them never want to go back to metal.

[QuantaFille]

Hmm, I may well give them a try, then. Thanks!

[QuantaFille]

Just an update...

I got some needles on eBay, they came yesterday and today I have been trying them out. My only problem so far is the fact that I am so used to dropping the left needle at the end of a row, that at first I kept having to pick up my needle off the floor. I will have to get used to my needles not being attached to my work.

They are very smooth, I like the feel of them. They don't feel cold when I first pick them up, but I never minded that with the metal ones anyway. And also, it's hard to explain, but these feel softer than the metal ones, they feel easier on my hands.

I think I like them. I might get some long circulars later for knitting an afghan or something.

Q.

[semmie'ssister]

I love my bamboo needles! i have to say that after many many years of knitting on metal ones, i was reluctant to try them, because I was perfectly happy with my metal ones. But once i tried them, i fell in love with them! they have a warm feeling to them, the yarn move nicely over them, without sliding off.

I've started to replace all my needles with bamboo, but found that there are some projects that I prefer the metal one for. i guess it really depends on what I'm making, and how my hands feel. When they get achy, I reach for the bamboo needles.

but then i had to stop, becasue I've got so many needles now, and i really don;t have a reason to completely replace my metal needles.

I almost exclusively use bamboo for knitting socks though. i think the only exception is when I need to make socks using a size 6 needle......I haven't replaced my size 6 with the bamboo ones yet

I wouldn't say that bamboo is better, I just prefer it....especially when my hands begin to ache....

....yes! softer! I would agree with you there.

Happy knitting!

[semmie'ssister]

I have been looking for some sock needles on eBay, but most of the new ones are bamboo. The only metal ones seem to be old ones from estate sales and the like.

Do any of you have any experience with bamboo needles as opposed to metal ones? I almost exclusively use metal circular needles these days for sock-sized projects knitted in rounds, and thus have no experience with anything other than metal. Am I missing out on something here?

I'd like to knit some socks but most patterns are for double-pointed needles. I would think that a knitting needle in sock sizes would break easily if they're wood, and I can't find long, metal circulars in sock sizes unless it's part of a ginormous set full of stuff I'll never use.

Q.

Are you going to post a picture of the socks you are knitting?

I'd love to see them! my mom and sisstor got me hooked on knitting socks a few years ago. I've made so many now. I make them one at a time on double pointed needles (bamboo) but someday want to try making them on teh circular needles. Have you tried those yet?

well, i'd love to see the socks when you're done......post a picture here for us to see!

[semmie]

quanta-baby, i am here to tell you that bamboo is god's gift to knitters.

A. they are easier on the hands than metal.

B. they don't clank.

C. they don't come in outrageous colors that make people turn and look at you and say "oh, you're a knitter????--they're just bamboo.

D. they are slip-proof.

okay, so...i'm not sure if they're actually slip-proof. but my sole reason for switching to bamboo was because i was always dropping stitches on my metal needles. since switching to bamboo, i kid you not, i have not dropped a single stitch on a pair of socks. this is especially important to me because i don't usually just knit. i usually knit while i'm talking, or while i'm watching a movie; and it allows me to not be 100%-ly focused on my knitting.

the only...and i mean the only problem i've had with bamboo needles is that my cats love to chew on them! i have learned to tuck them away, though, and it's not been a problem since.

another nice thing about bamboo...i learned...is that if you break the tip (which i've done), you can just file it down and keep using it! :woot:

and i second semsis's request! i'd love to see your socks when you're finished! i'm working on a pair of wool socks right now....if i can figure out how, maybe i'll post one, too.

[QuantaFille]

OK, after having used the bamboo needles for a while, here's my thoughts.

As someone who knits way too tightly, having stitches slip off the needles has never been an issue for me.

So for me, as far as which is better, I think that it depends on the yarn. I have a polyester yarn that is very "sticky", and bamboo won't work at all for that because my hands would get too tired from pushing the stitches down the needles. I bought some metal DPNs in sizes 0-3 for knitting socks, and the coating is very slick, perfect for yarns that stick. The problem that I have with the bamboo needles in the really small sizes is that I am bending them out of shape. I hold my needles with something of a death grip and I fear that I might break the little needles, they are like skewers! I did finish a few small projects with the smallest and next-to-the-smallest bamboo needles I have (2.5, 2.75mm).

I also have some pima cotton that I am using bamboo needles for (in 5mm/US 8 - bending is not an issue!), and I think it's a good combo. Slick yarns and yarns that don't stick get the bamboo, sticky yarns get metal. I knit mostly with wool anyway, which works well with bamboo.

As far as pictures, there is a knitting/crochet website I just joined (http://www.ravelry.com/) where I am posting pictures of my knitting, and it lists what needles I used, what yarn, where I got the pattern, etc. It is very cool, and they have groups that you can join based on interests and knitting style. I am in a Christian Geeks group, and liking it so far. I can use Ravelry to keep track of what needles I have, what yarn I have, etc., and show off finished projects. It's still in beta, so you have to wait to get in, but it's worth it. I am Quanta there, http://www.ravelry.com/people/Quanta.

Here's a project that I knitted with bamboo needles.
http://www.theologyweb.com/campus/at...1&d=1198731073
It is knitted with merino wool, which I love. So soft, so easy to work with.

I am still trying to find a sock pattern I like, I was considering doing some sort of fancy cables (I've done cables before) but since this is my first pair I should probably just do simple ribbing.
I want to do a toe-up sock, so I can try it on as I go and adjust accordingly. I think I'll also do an afterthought heel, since it would be easiest to re-knit later. I always wear the heels out of my socks first.
What kind of heels do y'all do?