Knitting Needle Materials Vary With the Knitter

Knitting needles come in many types of materials. The varied styles appeal to the diverse knitting community for different reasons. Some of the more common knitting needle materials are metal and aluminum types, bamboo and other wood types and various plastics.

One favorite are needles made of bamboo. It is lightweight and has a natural, warm feel in your hands. It is comfortable and makes a quiet sound when clicked together. The bamboo knitting material ages to a soft patina and are readily available in most knitting shops. Bamboo works well with slick yarns because of the friction from these needles. One drawback, however, is their tendency to break or splinter at the tip.

Wood creates lightweight, warm needles. The surface is slightly rough adding a bit of friction. As with bamboo they are costlier than man-made material and may have a tendency to splinter or break.

Metal needles are readily available in most craft shops. They are heavy, inexpensive and hard to break. The smooth surface allows for quick knitting without a lot of resistance. They can feel cold, so winter knitting can be uncomfortable to some. The sound of the metallic clacking made while knitting can be annoying. Another drawback of the metal material is the tendency to scratch and develop rust over time.

On the other hand, the nickel or nickel-plated aluminum-knitting needles are extremely light and the surface is smoother than aluminum. They can be expensive though.

Plastic needles are made of different types of material. The Bryspun plastic knitting needle is made of a special flexible plastic very popular with arthritic knitters. The material is smooth and warm. But the bland texture and color might not appeal to many people. Not readily available in yarn shops, the Bryspun needle may have to be ordered over the Internet.

Another plastic material is called Pony Pearls. It is made of cellulose acetate that comes in a wide variety of bright colors with a smooth surface. They aren’t as flexible as the Bryspun needle but are more visually appealing.

When choosing your knitting needle, try out different materials. Different materials feel different in your hands. The right needle is the one that feels right to you and in no time you’ll have a favorite.