I know everyone has their favorite needles to knit particular projects with. For lace I alway like to use bamboo. Angela commented on her post last week that she takes sandpaper to hers to be that good point on them, then coats them with clear fingernail polish.
I personally use a fingernail file, it gives me the control that I want so I don't get too excited and take too much off. The bottom one in the picture is the one that I've filed and the top is how it came out of the package (these are Clover). You can see it's a subtle thing, but I now have a better point on my needles to help pick up those wonderful lace yarns. I don't put a finish on mine since I read somewhere (heck if I can recall where) that fibers, i.e. wool, alpaca, cashmere will put their oils back into the needle as you knit with them. I found this to be true. I'm not leaving a rough finish on the needles to cause problems with snags and it doesn't take long for the oils to do their thing.
5 comments:
I've been sanding too as I like knitting with bamboo also. At JoAnn's with the discount coupon I often buy a longer length than I want in the d/p's, cut them to the length I want and put a rubber cap on the end.
Jan
I am working with cobweb yarn and was having trouble with the stitches sliding too well. in desperation, I finally took 400-grit sandpaper to my KnitPicks. This produced an excellent slighty grippy finish.
I use one of those spongy things with the different grits of emery on each side that you get at the beauty supply stores. I filed my bamboo dp's down to a very fine point. I did put the clear nail polish on mine, though. I'm looking at my bamboo circs with new eyes these days.
Fleegle, did you use the sandpaper on the metal knitpicks? Wow!
Patricia - that's the same thing that I use and it works pretty good.
Fleegle - Wow, you filed your metal needles - I don't think I'm that brave [wink]
Good idea. I tink I'll have to do that as I love my bamboos but htey're a bit blunt.
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