
Best knitting needles and crochet hook types?
I normally have used the Boyd aluminum types and a couple of plastics for both my knitting needles & crochet hooks, but decided to 'splurge' on a bamboo crochet hook. It's certainly different. What kind do you like best ? Is bamboo better for more hooks/needles? I also see something called rosewood - is that worth it ? Any other kind out there ? Thanks
Different needle materials work better for certain types of yarn when it comes to knitting needles. Metal needles work best with yarns that are not particularly slippery--wool, acryllic, and such; plastic needles (IMO they squeak in use) will work on these types too, as well as cotton; bamboo, birch, rosewood work best for slippery yarns--alpaca, llama, silk, bamboo, and such. Laceweight yarns of any fiber benefit from using rosewood or birch needles, btw, so you expect to be a lace knitter, these are good choices for that, along with the Addi circulars designed for lace knitting. None of these are cheap, btw.
Crochet hooks are a bit different because they don't have to actually hold onto the yarns to keep them on the shaft, but the same principle applies. Yes, they feel quite differently in the hands to metal hooks or plastic hooks (again, I'm not a fan of plastic hooks, in this case I find they flex too much in use), so this one is really what your personal preference is and what your pocketbook can stand.
In general bamboo and wooden hooks and needles are more costly than aluminum or plastic ones. They are comparable to the cost of top of the line circulars like Inox and Addis.
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