The Hat City Scissor Squad

Hope you like my recipe for making your very own fabulous knitting needles - michelle

Supplies

Wooden dowels ( purchased at any craft store or hardware store (hardware store may have a variety of kinds ie. oak or maple)

Polymer clay (ie. Fimo or sculpey)

School glue

Hack saw

Fine grit sandpaper

emory board

Pencil sharpener (the school kind is the best because it won't break and has a large variety of sizes)

Wood wax or hardwood floor wax ( MUST BE THICK!)

Wooden beads (optional)

Wood stain/ varnish (optional

knitting needle gauge (not shown)

How to:

Beging with the dowels you can tell the size your needle will be with the needle gauge (bring it with you when selecting dowels at the store).  Now measure and mark your dowels where you want to cut. Generally knittning needles come in lengths of 10 inches and 14 inches.  Gently cut your dowels at the marks.

Now sharpen your dowel end with the pencil sharpener.  Try and use the closest size setting for it and don't make them too sharp.  Beautiful!!!

Now sand your whole needle till it is smooth concentrating on the tip.  You can use the emory board now also to get the precision on the tip.  It needs to be really smooth, you don't want your yarn snagging.

It's time now to stain your needles if you chose to do so.  Be sure to use products meant for wood, you definately don't want your needles staing your hands or yarn when you use them.

Waxing time!!!  Rub a thick layer of wood wax onto your needles and leave it on for about 10 minutes to let it penetrate (heh huh huh heh, penetrate).  Then buff of with a soft cloth or paper towel.  Smoooooth.

Now the best and fun part  making your ends.  You can choose to glue on a bead or bobble that will fit the end.  Or you can get creative and use palymer clay.  Push the clay on the end so you get an indent that will fit later.   Now bake according to the manufacturer's instructions.   Great.  Now you can glue on your ends, they should snap right on.  Let dry for 24 hours before using.  ( TIP: i love to gent creative with the ends there is so much you can do with polmer clay.  I will use glitter, paint varnish, whatever it takes to get the look I want)

You now Have beautiful homemade kniiting needles to keep for yourself or give as a wonderful gift!

-Michelle