The arrival of Fall always makes me want to start knitting again, and I love the feel of bamboo knitting needles (although the store-bought ones can be rather pricey). Fortunately, I found an easy, and practically free way to make your own! These would make such cute gifts for any avid knitter.
To make your own knitting needles, you will need: glue, acorn caps, sandpaper, and some leftover chopsticks from your favorite Chinese take-out place. I was going to attempt this project on my own, but when Emily saw what I was up to, she wanted to help too!
First, use a pencil sharpener to make the ends of the chopsticks extra pointy.
Then, use the sandpaper to make the edges of the chopsticks extra smooth. This is important for the yarn to glide easily over the needles.
Next, attach the acorn cap to the flat end of the chopstick with a little glue.
You may need to hold the acorn cap in place for a short while. Then, we placed them pointy-ends down in a glass jar to dry completely.
You can use a fine-line marker to make funny faces on them!
I tried them out, and they work very well! Happy knitting!
Dear Valerie,
As you know, Emily already likes to make inanimate objects talk. This doesn't help.
I know someday that she will come home with a note from the teacher saying that she spent too much time making the eraser talk to the chalk board. 😀
Love,
Mark
p.s. The one with the open mouth looks like it is saying "Oh noooo! You missed a stitch!"
You knit too? You do it all!
So cute.
Mark is so funny.
I have no idea how to knit, but you have me thinking of making my own knitting needles just so I can make them talk to each other.
@ Ivy — I know what you mean… You can't resist! I think they look like they are wearing French berets… so mine talk with a French accent. 🙂 Mark says they look like they're wearing Chinese hats. Either way, they are fun!
And how do you mike different sizes of needles?
@Imene — For different sizes, I would use the same technique, but with wooden dowels (they are available in all different sizes) instead of chopsticks. The chopsticks make for a nice needle size, however, and they are very easy to make!
You two have to be the most creatvie people I know seriously. I want to take up knitting just so I can make these. I just learned to crochet and have a blanket to finish and sewing i'm still learning. Now I want to knit!! lol
perfect as always 🙂 and we all have millions of chopsticks at home hehe
These are adorable – I love the little faces!
its great that you know the skill of knit
nice pics.
Wonderfully creative! I especially like the hats.
That's a cute idea!
Oh, and I'm having a Free Paint Party, feel free to check it out!
I have decided that you need to come out here and teach me to knit. lol… Those are adorable!
Val
that is insanely cute. i can already think of two people who might like to get those for christmas!
The needles look great…!