At last I have found the ultimate knitting needles.
Having started on chunky red plastic ones around 30 years ago, graduated to metal, experimented with bamboo, flirted with brittany birch and lusted after art viva spotty ended pins, I have found my soul mate in a set of swallows (again from the lovely Loop)
Made from casein (milk protein) these needles are disconcertingly flexible but once I worked a few rows I was hooked. They won’t snap like bamboo (or at least haven’t done yet – despite Toby’s attempts) and are warmer and much more comfortable than my old, cold, battered aluminium ones. They also come in the prettiest of colours and so I feel justified in showing them off! Hmmm, maybe I do need just one pair of vivas…?
By the way don’t you love how knitting is so wonderfully portable and so whilst I may not have a beautiful workroom I’m lucky to say that on a sunny, spring day like today this is my workspace!
little cotton rabbits 
made of casein? that’s really interesting.
casein is a bad word at our house! 🙂 (and, yeah, he probably would try to eat them)
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Those needles are so pretty and colorful, I know why you love them! May I ask what the bag in the last picture is and where it is from. It just looks like something I’d love to get my hands on! Thanks in advance : )
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Those needles look just the job. It’s so nice to see coloured ones. I’ll have to seek these out. Thanks for sharing this. Have you ever tried the ebony Lantern Moon ones? I bought one pair about a month ago and have only stroked them so far!!! They are made by Vietnamese boat people and have a really nice story behind them.
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I inherited some casein needles, they’re great. But yours are prettier colours! I am also coveting what I think is your Cath Kidston knitting bag…
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What an office! I love the Cath Kidston bag… the colours of wool…. but most of all those needles are so Wow! Hope you have a long, happy knitting time ahead of you. Go forth into your office and let those rabbits grow!
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I never seen them but now I want to have a set to try them out. The colors are beautiful.
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I really like the coloured knitting needles – I have a thing for nice colours and if it can be in my knitting needles that would be great! You may just have started a rush to Loop!
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Love that Cath Kidston bag 🙂 What pretty yarn too!
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Julie,
I have a confession to make – I’ve been lurking too for a while. I told you I was as bad! So I’m asking myself why I didn’t comment before and maybe it’s because I didn’t have anything profound to say except ‘love the rabbits you make’. I’m sure it is a relationship sort of thing too. I tend to leave comments mostly for people that I have email contact with. I also try to visit blogs of people who leave me a comment too but at the end of the day it is a time thing too. Like you I can spend a whole morning catching up and leaving comments and sometimes I haven’t the energy when I get to the end of my favourites list.
Must stop whittering and just say that the rabbits are fantastic and as for your cupcakes you are definately on to a winner there. They have to be one of my all time faves on any blog.
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Ooh, I’ve never worked with casein needles. I understand they’re nice and warm. I usually use circulars – the nickel-plated Addi Turbos when I can get them…
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Those needles sound similar to cream ones that we buy, which are very good for arthritis. My aunt uses them all the time and now no longer gets wrist pain. Love all the nice colors of yarn in your bag too, very pretty. Your little boy looks so cute in his bubble afro, and he must tire you out having to watch him so closely all the time.
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They are very yummy to look at and the colours look almost edible! What a perfect combination to have a tool that is so effective and is eye candy at the same time!! ENJOY!
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Gorgeous photos
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Darn you!!!!
I have to have those spotty needles
Tracy x
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I’ve heard those needles are very good, I think they are recommended for people with arthritis as well. I bought some for my mum for Christmas and she enjoyed using them.
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I love those needles – such pretty colours too! I find the metal needles cold to use and may have to try some of these.
Marie x
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what beautiful colours, I thought i was hooked on wood, but I’ll seek these out after such a good recommendation
enjoy your ‘workroom’
take care
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mmm, I’m still looking for the perfect pair… because I knit ‘italian style’ with the needles under my arms (I look like an old lady..) I need long ones.
Do they come in extra long? And what about ViVa? Aren’t they amazing…
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Bellissimi!
Unfortunately, in Italy, I can’t find coloured needle for my knitted work! I would like so muche to have some needle violet or purple, my favourite colours.
Your blog is very glamourous and I think you’re a special womane. Greetings from Italy.
Laura.
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As a non knitter, I can only say they look yummy!
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Wow what gorgeous needles.. just ordered a couple of pairs to try out.. many thanks for the recommendation..
I have been struggling with my metal ones and was thinking of trying bamboo but they haven’t appealed to me like these have.
I adore your knitted cuties and admire you can make your own patterns.
Happy Knitting
Pixie
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I do love the colours of these, but I think I’ll stick to my bamboo needles, as I find them comfortable and I’m lucky enough not to have snapped one (YET!). The aluminium needles give me cramps in my hands. Oh and… I lurve the Cath Kidston knitting bag – how flash!
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Ooooo look at those gorgeous colours!!! It looks like lovely ice cream sorbert! Pity I don’t live in the UK, I have to get any Cath Kidston items via the internet, I LOVE her fabrics 🙂
Hmmm so if you are lactose intolerant you can’t knit with these needles huh :-)) ha…ha
Toby looks sweet in those bubbles…….BTW my 2.5 yr old just ate a snail the other day eeeeeeewwwwww, and it wasn’t something I had cooked for her. I ws horrified lol
cheers,
Leoni (Sydney – Australia)
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Oh you are so lucky to get the coloured casein needles!! I can only buy the tortoiseshell ones in Australia. I do love knitting with them, but they taste horrid!!! And they come in different lengths and they match your wool. Very cool!!!
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ooh, casein needles, how fascinating!
Here are my favorite needles, also flexible, but made of plastic, and with great tips to catch yarn…but they’re not as pretty as yours!:
http://www.brysonknits.com/bryspun.htm
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Yes I’m jelous of the portability, taking felting outside involves a kitchen table!
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i LOVE the swallow casein needles. i have two pair and am searching for larger sizes. they are THE BEST! thanks for talking them up. found a “recipe” for making circular needles from straight ones. might give two caseins a try if i found some ebay ones or something….. oonagh+
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I’m glad you found your ‘go to’ needles, and am even more glad that you shared your experience of them. Having had the lovely-looking pair of Ivoiré I got to test this material out snap suddenly during my first (quite small) project with them, I gave them all up as a bad lot. Then someone was saying that they help her ordeal today, and a Google brought me here
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