Aero knitting needles are a discontinued brand that was very popular in the 1960s, 1970s & 1980s.
Due to the quality of materials and the expert craftsmanship, these needles have survived the decades and are available for purchase today!
Definitely a quality, affordable needle that’s smooth to knit with, guaranteed to last for years.
Who knows, friends and family may have knitted with these needles! Made in England by the Bernat Aero company, these were made of aircraft quality anodized aluminum.
Here is my complete guide to the range of vintage Bernat aero knitting needles.
Table Of Contents
- The Best Aero Bernat Knitting Needles
- Aero Straight Needles
- Aero Circular Knitting Needles
- Aero Double Pointed Needles
- Where Are Aero Knitting Needles Made?
- What Are Aero Knitting Needles Made of?
The Best Aero Bernat Knitting Needles
As far as my research has shown, Aero only made the three most common types of needles, straights, circulars, and double points. They didn’t sell interchangeable knitting needles.
Aero Straight Needles
The staple and probably the most popular needle available from Bernat Aero are smooth and an ideal length for a variety of projects.
Vintage stock from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, they’re all in pristine condition and ready to use.
Note: The seller has other Aero needles in her store if you’re looking for more options.
Features
- Needle Sizes Available – 2mm – 12mm
- Total Needle Length – 35cm
- Made From – Smooth aluminum, except the larger sizes, which are made of lightweight plastic.
Pros
- Wide variety of sizes available
- In excellent condition and original packaging
- Smooth
- Lightweight
- Easy to knit with, and the stitches slide along easily
- A not too blunt, not too sharp tip
- Fast shipping
Cons
- Not suitable for beginner knitters, as the stitches may slide off a bit too easily
- Very slippery
- Not suitable for delicate or thin yarns as the tips aren’t sharp
- Makes a clicking sound when you use it, which may annoy some people
Aero Circular Knitting Needles
Circular knitting needles were also known as Circular Twin-Pins when they were manufactured. Sometimes, it had that product name on the package.
These are smooth, comfortable to use, and the stitches slide along easily. The join is snagless, and the points are tapered, making it much easier to get into the stitches.
Features
- Sizes Available – the US Sizes 2 – 15, Metric Sizes 2.75mm – 10mm
- Cord Lengths Available – 32″ or 80cm
- Needle Tips Are 5″ Long
- Made From – Smooth aluminum, except the larger sizes, which are made of lightweight plastic.
Pros
- Great range of sizes
- In excellent condition and their original packaging
- Free shipping within the US
- Comfortable to use
- Lightweight
- Designed for smooth, comfortable knitting
- Great for speed knitters
Cons
- Some may not like the clicking sound it makes when working
- A little slippery
- The tips aren’t super sharp, so not suitable for intricate designs or thinner yarns
Aero Double Pointed Needles
Despite being made of plastic, these are durable and inflexible, making sure your double pointed needles will withstand lots of use.
They’re smooth and ideal for smaller projects, such as baby clothes, baby hats, regular hats, sweater sleeves, and many more.
Features
- Needle Sizes Available – the US 00 – 11, Metric Sizes 1.75mm – 7.5mm
- Total Needle Length – 9″
- Comes In A Pack Of 4
- Made From – Lightweight gry plastic
Pros
- Great for fast knitting
- Durable and inflexible
- Affordable
- Smooth
- Lightweight
Cons
- Only comes in a pack of 4
- Some may not like the feel of the plastic
Where Are Aero Knitting Needles Made?
Aero knitting needles were made in England by the Bernat Aero company.
What Are Aero Knitting Needles Made Of?
Mostly aero knitting needles are made of smooth, aircraft-quality anodized aluminum. However, some of the larger sizes are made with plastic.
Smooth, quality knitting needles guaranteed to last you for years, these are something that could be a knitting heirloom. Great for a variety of projects and many different sizes and lengths available.
You’re sure to find one to suit your needs.
Have you ever used these needles, or know a knitter who did? I’d be interested to see a bit of knitting history from your family if that’s the case! Let me know down below.
I found what may be an Aero knitting needle point protector, but I am not sure. It is a circle on a short stump with a slot in it. It is made of some rubber type substance and on one side says AERO and the other made in England. Could it be a point protector?
Thanks.
Hi Fran. What an interesting find. From what you describe it may indeed be a point protector. I’ve done a quick search for what you’ve described but only aero knitting needle images are listed.
Yes point protector
Worked for AERO NEEDLES for 24 years
Sadly gone now
Hi Steve. Thanks so much for confirming Fran’s Aero Knitting Needle Point Protector. Wow! Working for Aero Needles for 24 years, you would have seen lots of developments in the knitting needle industry during that time. Thanks again for letting us know. Cheers Jodie
Hi Steve, 24 years! Maybe you could help me I have three hoop shape needles by Aero size 1,2 and 3 a d have no idea what they could have been used for, shame I cannot attach photos
Many thanks
The only thing I can think of are mattress needles
If made of steel.Are they this sort of shape C
I have been knitting for nearly 60 years and in my opinion Aero needles are the best. What a loss that they are no longer made. I learnt to knit using them and wool does not flow on any modern needles that I have had the misfortune to use. The look on a shopkeepers face recently when I returned a pair of ‘modern’ needles to the shop as they did work! If I need new needles now I buy them from charity shops as that is the only place I can find decent Aero needles for sale.
Thanks for sharing your experience of Aero Needles Anne. Good to know you’ve had success finding them in charity shops.
I just bought something at a thrift shop and want to know what it is. It’s 5 inches long, has a plastic piece on each end. One end says AERO on one side and ENGLAND on the other side. The other end has an arrow on each side. There is a gray piece and a spring between the two ends if you pull on the ends, the arrow end comes off the gray piece looks like a tiny knitting needle and the spring keeps the 2 ends together. What do I have??
Hi Carolyn. What an interesting find. I’ll ask Steve who previously worked for Aero Needles, who very kindly helped another reader with her find. I hope he might know. Cheers Jodie
Hi it’s a spring stitch holder.Slip stitches on the needle then replace the spring end back on
You have a stitch holder. The ‘grey piece’ is to hold the stitches, the plastic pieces on each end connected by a spring prevent the held stitches from falling off the holder.
Hello, I’ve recently purchased some 5.5mm aero twin pins. I think they’re plastic but the lady I’ve bought them from insists that they are aluminium. They don’t feel like aluminium to me at all. Could anyone please help. I’ve looked for a guide for materials and sizes but can’t find anything.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
Lindsay
Hi Lindsay. Thanks for getting in touch. From my research 5.5mm would more than likely be plastic as the seller in this listing points out. https://knitlikegranny.com/recommends/aero-circular-knitting-needles/ A little difficult if the lady you’ve bought them from insists they are aluminium. Do you have an option to return them if you are not happy with them?
Hi me again
They are more than likely plastic but on the very odd occasion they did small batches of aluminium
Not much help really for your inquiry.If the flex is a different colour to the needle parts then aluminium if the needles are the same colour as the flex (grey)they are plastic
Thanks so much Steve for taking the time to try and help. It is much appreciated. Cheers Jodie
Indeed, this is a stitch holder. I have three that I purchased in England in 1958-1961. Also have complete set of Aero needles in zip case that I treasure.
Thanks so much Jan for confirming it is a stitch holder and that you treasure your set of Aero Needles. You are very kind to respond. Cheers Jodie
I have a red wallet with a full set of Aero needles in and it is beginning to split. Are the holders still available anywhere? – the only ones I see advertised are full of needles.
Thanks for getting in touch Janice. Perhaps one of my readers would know. If I hear anything I will be back in touch. Cheer Jodie
I don’t think they make them anymore
Aero needles owned the company that made them then sold the company to Arrow Display in Redditch England
Ok, I bought a bag from a thrift shop as well, and in it is 2 sizes of… something…they are shaped like croquet wickets, like a squared arch. It says “Aero” and they are sized “1.5” and “2.5” and also say “England” on the other side. Any ideas???
I’ve just found one of these when sorting through my mum’s things. Would love to know what they were used for.
Not a lot of help but I can remember seeing them in the packing department they also had a small flat plate that slipped on to the two straight parts.But sorry I have no idea what they were used for