These (http://www.glasspens.com/needles.html) are absolutely stunning. They're too expensive for me, and I'm not sure if I'd be able to adapt to them, but they really are gorgeous. They also do crochet hooks (http://www.glasspens.com/crochethooks.html).

I love glasswork. I bought one of these (http://www.solsticeglass.com/glass_vortex_pendants.html) vortex pendants (the blue/purple) last year. I think something similar would look amazing as the tip of a wooden or bamboo needle.

I do love the look of glass needles - seen these (http://www.agoodyarn.net/N_Glass_knitting_needles.htm) before. Im a glass technologist by training so love glass but Im not sure Id knit on them:D

LisaH xxx

I do love the look of glass needles - seen these (http://www.agoodyarn.net/N_Glass_knitting_needles.htm) before. Im a glass technologist by training so love glass but Im not sure Id knit on them:D

LisaH xxx
Those are stunning. I must have some. I'm not sure I'd knit with them either, but they'd look fantastic sat on my bookcase. I could just stare at them lovingly once in a while :hihi: .

They're so nice! I want some! I'd give knitting on them a go :)

I would actually love some like Hecate suggested - bamboo or woo with lovely glass ends - but glass only ..... hmmm Id only drop them or something and there would be no give or flex so no for me.

LisaH xxx

I found these (www.knitknack.com/needles/dichroic.htm) :love: Bit expensive mind:o

LisaH xxx

I found these (www.knitknack.com/needles/dichroic.htm) :love: Bit expensive mind:o

LisaH xxx
Those are perfect :love: . Apart from the price :( .

Idea: Get some bamboo needles and chop the end off and replace with glass beads? Mmm. Not sure what you'd do about the holes for the bead wire though. Maybe use Fimo instead? (I used to love playing with that stuff :) ).

Properly annealed Pyrex is more resilient than other varieties of glass. However, any glass should always be handled with care.

My home is filled with utilitarian / ornamental glass objects of every shape & size and breakage is extremely rare. Primarily because I have the proper respect for, and fully recognize the inherent fragility of glass.

I do knit regularly with my own glass needles and I haven't broken any 6mm or larger. I believe that would be a UK size 4. Going smaller than a UK size 5 / 5mm or less is definitely pushing your luck.

Regarding the cost issue... If you are interested in any of my designs, I'd be happy to offer Sheffield knitters a 20% discount + free shipping *via Air Post to the UK.

To take advantage of this offer, just enter coupon code: promo13 on the first page of our shopping cart ~ checkout (no space between promo and 13).

In any case, I'm quite excited to have found this forum. I'm a Brazilian living in the US. Just started knitting two years ago & I shall thoroughly enjoy reading all the Sheffield threads. Looks to be a wealth of information here.

Best regards

Welcome to the knitting group, Glass Artist, and thanks for replying to the thread about glass knitting needles with details of your work (which is lovely, by the way). Thanks for the special offer for Sheffield knitter too :) .

I've just removed the previous post to which you refer (I don't know how I missed it - I must have been on holiday at the time!).

I love glass (apart from the theoretical side of it - give me metals any day!) and might have to get a pair of these.

I wouldn't want glass needles that act like Prince Rupert drops however!! That could make knitting interesting!! (but quite fun!)

Wow, It's wonderful to find such an active forum!

I know where I'll be spending a lot of time in the near future (reading and trying to absorb all the great information).

LOL! Yes, Prince Rupert Drops are the perfect example of "stressed out" glass.

When viewed under a polariscope, the mechanical stress from one small concussion may be visible (like a spider web). As the saying goes about cats having "nine lives", I view glass in much the same way.

I've been at trade shows where other glass artists will be bouncing their marbles & pendants off the concrete floor to demonstrate the quality, and I always cringe when they put it back into their display case (for sale).

Then buyers will come along and say "hey, that guy over there bounced his glass on the floor / threw it against a wall, etc."

I've never understood why a glass artist would want to cultivate the perception that any glass (even kiln-annealed borosilicate Pyrex) is somehow impervious to damage.

Pyrex is durable...think cookware. We simply need to have realistic expectations regarding utilitarian glass objects and handle them accordingly.

I laugh at people who think safety glass doesn't break!

Its a fascinating medium but I still prefer metals ;)

They're lovely needles. They'd be on a wish list if somebody wanted to buy me something special I think.