For crafters....

I am allergic to nickel which means I have to be extremely careful when using aluminum Crochet hooks or knitting needles.

How difficult is it to make wood versions of the same craft tools?

Could they be made using a very small, table top lathe?

 

Sorry, I don't have that much experience with a lathe, but I was wondering if you could use some smaller diameter dowel material?

 

I have made knitting needles from wood as well as crochet hooks. If you don't have a lathe, a drill press and some files will do nicely. With the crochet hook, you then have to do a little hand work with needle files to get the shape right. I have never tried to make the really small hooks so don't know how well they would hold up.
Ever considered electroplating the steel with comething like copper? Gold would be ideal but a little bit expensive.

 

I tried making knitting needles for my wife and she found they worked very well for most yarns but I just was not able to get the needles smooth enough to prevent the finer wools and silks from catching. This was especially true when I got down to the smaller needles. My wife is also allergic to most metals and it drives her crazy having to work with metal needs on her small work.

 

My wife switched to bamboo needles some years ago. I have never worked with bamboo before and I believe it is difficult to obtain. What woods do people use? I would worry about the needles snapping, especially the thinner needles.

 

My sister uses plastic knitting needles on a circlular piece of plastic. I think they're readily available in stores where they sell knitting and crocheting supplies. I'll have to ask her the next time I see her.

 

Aluminum crochet hooks don't have nickel in them so I don't understand why there is a problem.If it states it is an aluminum hook, that is. If it just says metal, then usually the base, at least, is nickel due to the cheapness of it. Honestly, unless you just like the challenge, it's a lot easier and cheaper to just go buy wooden or plastic hooks and needles. You can buy either one in a good shop.

 

Sorry I can not help you out when it comes to making your on hooks and needles. I wanted to ask if you sealed the wood after making the needles? If you end up not having any luck at making hooks and needles, I have bought some plastic ones at a hobby store. They work well, although I still prefer my metal ones. I have heard of bamboo knitting needles and such, but have never been able to find any locally.

 

Try Joanne's Fabrics for a good selection of both wood and bamboo crochet hooks and knitting needles. If you don't have one locally, you can check their website. I'm pretty sure that they carry everything there that they do in the stores.