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GFTC
Permanent Resident
USA
6131 Posts |
 Posted - 11/08/2003 : 07:00:06 AM
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Almost all the stores around here stock tons of Crystal Palace Bamboo needles but I haven't seen much of the Brittany Birch, although it is easily found in the catalogs and online. I have always knit with various metals (aluminum, stainless steel, quicksilver) but I would like to accumulate some wood needles to use with cotton. I bought some circular bamboo as well as ebony straight and circ since I found them on sale at very good prices but no opportunity to try birch. I know a lot of you knit on wood needles and I was wondering if there is a difference and if you prefer one wood over another. Opinions??
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Jane
SustaYning Member
USA
3865 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2003 : 11:15:44 AM
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Well, what I have to say might not help, but...
I like Crystal Palace bamboo circulars the best (they're hard and smooth, and the joins pivot). I love Brittany birch (I have only used their dpn's, and I like how smooth and sturdy, yet warm they are in my hands). I have a wonderful pair of rosewood circulars, which I love(they are close to the feeling of bamboo, for me), but I haven't had any experience with other woods.
I like using bamboo needles for cotton and other slippery fibers. I like the birch dpn's for socks, because they, too, have just enough grab. I use metal needles (mostly Addis) for everything else, including one long circular for most of my sock knitting these days.
There will probably be as many opinions as there are needles, so this question is an interesting one!
Jane
My (non-knitting) photo album:
http://jane.c.home.mindspring.com/ |
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mokey
Permanent Resident
15296 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2003 : 8:45:30 PM
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I no longer use wooden needles, but when I did it was always the Brittany ones. They were the lightest in my hand and sturdier than bamboo.
"There is no beauty in the finest cloth if it makes hunger and unhappiness." Gandhi |
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jmweis
Chatty Knitter
USA
260 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2003 : 10:10:37 PM
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Hi GFTC, I agree with Jane, my absolute favorite needles are Crystal Palace Bamboo needles. I have some Clovers, but I don' t like them as well as I like either my Crystal Palace or my Britanny Birtch Needles. Part of the reason I like CP and BB, better, at least in single point needles, is that you can get them is a shorter length, which I really like. I also do not like my Clover circular needles, I only have one pair, but I have a hard time getting my stitches over the join between the cord and the needle itself.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Jennifer
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BLN3320
Permanent Resident
USA
3807 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2003 : 12:10:27 AM
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Personally I prefer birch to bamboo--have had big problems with bamboo. Take care. Beverley
Bev |
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klfrazier
Permanent Resident
1745 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2003 : 08:05:19 AM
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I'm in the Crystal Palace bamboo group. Love them because of their feel and their slight flexibility. They manage the cotton yarns better than anything else I've tried!
Kristin
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SusanT
Seriously Hooked
950 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2003 : 09:15:36 AM
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I have both Clover & Plymouth circs and Crystal Palace circs but prefer the Clovers or Plymouths for the blunter taper. The CP's are pretty sharp and I have trouble with splitting the yarn.
For straights, Clovers tend to develop a bend in them so I like them in a shorter length. I love the Brittany's in any length because of the grab on the stitch. I've tried Addis but keep dropping stitches so I'm glad to sacrifice speed for stitch control. I do wish Brittany made circs.
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GFTC
Permanent Resident
USA
6131 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2003 : 5:10:37 PM
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Thanks, everyone. Sounds like I should try a few pairs in the different types before buying a set of anything. Yay! another world of shopping opens up........
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argus
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
594 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2003 : 10:09:31 AM
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I like Clover bamboo, however my absolute favorites are rosewood and ebony circulars (Suzanne). They are expensive, but such a pleasure to work with! I recently discovered cocobolo needles (kind of rosewood), and can't get enough of them! The only problem, the producer (http://www.turn-of-the-century.com/tchome.htm) only has straight ones, no circulars. Does anyone know where can I get circular cocobolo wood needles?
Argus
Carpe diem. |
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vicky by the bay
Permanent Resident
USA
4768 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2003 : 10:17:13 AM
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I love Addi Natura bamboo needles the best then CP. Clover I find snags horribly at the join and their cables are way too stiff. I couldn't even soften them up w/ boiling water! I recently discovered the Ebony circs and straights...GFTC where ever did you find them on sale? I'm a total convert...will have to get them one at a time! I have had trouble w/ the Brittanys DPN's. They have broke on me twice now. I do admit I am a very tight knitter esp. w/ dpn's, but I haven't had anything else break on me. Otherwise, I do have other birch needles and find them nice to work with esp. w/ cotton yarn.
Vicky (Queen O'Yarn archivist-QYA) |
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SusanT
Seriously Hooked
950 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2003 : 10:30:18 AM
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Hmmm... I didn't know Addi made a bamboo needle. I've never seen them at any of my LYS's.
Might have to give these a try. Does anyone have a good online resource for these?
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vicky by the bay
Permanent Resident
USA
4768 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2003 : 10:44:20 AM
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Susan, They are called Addi Natura...I don't remember where I got them...let me go through my receipts and get back to you.
Vicky (Queen O'Yarn archivist-QYA) |
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SusanT
Seriously Hooked
950 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2003 : 10:48:48 AM
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I did some surfing and found them at Knitpicks who's still having their free shipping for orders over $30 so I might order a couple to try out.
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vicky by the bay
Permanent Resident
USA
4768 Posts |
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SusanT
Seriously Hooked
950 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2003 : 11:32:23 AM
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Thanks, Vicki!
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Hello Knitty
Permanent Resident
1069 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2003 : 12:04:31 PM
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I have no problem with Clover bamboo. Any wood needle bends over time with use. If you ever come across Japanese bamboo like Tulip, try them. Super smooth and light. I like the point on Brittany Birch. I say try anything you can. You never know what will work for your project. I just got a complete set of Bryspun straights because I was so impressed with how they worked for ladder yarns.
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SerMom
Permanent Resident
Canada
6412 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2003 : 2:47:45 PM
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The bryspun don't seem to come in circs either,  or am I missing it?
I love circs. I want everything to be available in circs. 
Barbara
"I know we've got one SOMEWHERE" |
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vicky by the bay
Permanent Resident
USA
4768 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2003 : 3:05:36 PM
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I wish Bryspun came in circs also! I just got 6 pairs of straights...I hardly usually use straights, but I've got a couple scarves started on a couple all ready.
Vicky (Queen O'Yarn archivist-QYA) |
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GFTC
Permanent Resident
USA
6131 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2003 : 3:10:45 PM
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Vicky,
I found the Susanne's ebony in circular and straight at Lion and Lamb along with Skacel dpn #15 and Skacel #36 in some kind of plastic for $5 and $8. Then I found Susanne's ebony circular as well as Clover bamboo circular and dpn at the thrift shop for $1. I now have 3 17x5" duffle bags filled with needles and I can't stop looking for more!
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tansy510@msn.com
New Pal
41 Posts |
Posted - 11/14/2003 : 9:35:52 PM
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Can I put in a good word for Webs' bamboos? They're less expensive than the others and so smooth and warm.
Cynthia |
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vicky by the bay
Permanent Resident
USA
4768 Posts |
Posted - 11/14/2003 : 11:23:56 PM
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Webs are nice bamboo circs, but the cable is quite stiff when you first get them...does soften w/ time and lots of really hot water.
Vicky (Queen O'Yarn archivist-QYA) |
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