Though many knitters are enthusiastic about bamboo knitting needles, others are hesitant whether they should use them. In this post, I take an in-depth look at why bamboo is a great choice for knitting needles and the best ones on the market.
I love my bamboo needles and have made many cowls, hats and scarves with them!
Read on for a breakdown of the details you need to know.
I reviewed and updated this post on November 14, 2022.
Table Of Contents
- HiyaHiya Bamboo Fixed Circular Needles
- Clover Takumi Circular Knitting Needles
- Bamboo Interchangeable Knitting Needles
- Clover Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needles
- Addi Click Needle Bamboo Set
- ChiaoGoo Spin Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set
- Fairycece Bamboo Straight Knitting Needles Set
- BetyBedy Bamboo Needles
- Clover Takumi Single Pointed Needles
- LIHAO Bamboo Knitting Needles
Bamboo Circular Knitting Needles
HiyaHiya Bamboo Fixed Circular Needles
Strong flexible cables and seamless joins are teamed with high quality, resin-injected bamboo for extra strength. They’re resistant to splitting and warping.
Pros
- Lovely quality needle with smooth joints.
- The needle tips are smooth, warm and lightweight.
- Long tapered points
Cons
- Some may prefer the pale straw color, these are more amber
Clover Takumi Circular Knitting Needles
- Size Available – 2mm to 10mm
- Cord Lengths Available – 9″ (23cm), 16″ (41cm), 29″ (74cm), 36″ (91cm), 48″ (120cm)
This is the length from tip to tip: so the length of the 2 needles and the cable in total.
Pros
- Great range of sizes
- Comfortable in the hand
Cons
- Don’t leave them where they could accidentally be sat on
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Bamboo Interchangeable Knitting Needles
Here, I’ll look at a list of the best bamboo knitting needles sets. They save money in the long run and make your life easier!
Read my full review of these Clover Bamboo interchangeables and the Clover range here.
Clover Takumi Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needles
Features
- 12 Tip Sizes
- 3.25mm – 10.0mm (US 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10.5, 11, 13, 15)
- Cord Lengths – 16″ (41cm), 24″ (61cm), 29″ (74cm), 36″ (91cm) & 48″ (120cm)
Pros
- High quality Takumi bamboo with a smooth surface
- Both US and mm size are engraved on the tip
- Prompt fulfillment for your orders
Cons
- Some users found the tips too short, approx 4″ long
Addi Click Needle Bamboo Set
For a person who’s a fan of bamboo needles and the Addi Click interchangeable system, these are the perfect combination!
The company takes its name from the nickname of the founder’s husband, decided upon in the early 1950s.
These are longer than normal Addi Click needles, and the joins are super secure. It has a smooth plastic cable to join the two needles. Perfect if you want to knit something large.
(Though they’re not suitable for extra-large projects.)
Here’s an excellent video by Very Pink Knits On YouTube reviewing this product. Skip to the timestamp 5.42.
Features
- Needle Tip sizes (US 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10.75, 11)
- 3 gold cables in 24″, 32″, 40″
- Cable connector
- addi grips
Pros
- Easy to put the needles and cords together
- They’re lovely to work with
- Flexible cables
- Returns for your order are easy to do
Cons
- Smaller needle sizes not available
- The prices are a little expensive, but worth it for the excellent quality
ChiaoGoo Spin Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set
Check Price On Amazon
Features
- Sizes Included – Contains 13 needle tips in US 2 (2.75mm), US 3 (3.25mm), US 4 (3.55mm), US 5 (3.75mm), US 6 (4mm), US 7 (4.5mm), US 8 (5mm), US 9 (5.5mm), US 10 (6mm), US 10-1/2 (6.5mm), US 11 (8mm), US 13 (9mm), and US 15 (10mm).
- Cord Lengths Included – Two sets of cords, one set for the needles with the S screws, and one set for those with L screws. Three cords, one each measuring 24″ (60cm), 32″ (80cm), and 40″ (100cm).
- Tips Are 5″ (13mm) Long
- Notions Included – Two S and L end caps, one S and L cord connector for making even longer cords, two cord keys, a ruler/needle sizer, and a collection of stitch markers.
Pros
- Smooth joins between tips and cables
- Use these tools to knit anything from baby items to jewelry!
- Sharp points
- These things make a perfect gift for someone who has everything!
Cons
- Some users found the cables work their way loose. If you use the T pins included in the set to tighten them, you won’t have that problem.
Knitter’s Pride/KnitPro Bamboo Interchangeable Needles Set
Check Price On AmazonThey’re perfect for knitting clothing items and accessories. The price is mid-range for a thing of this quality.
It’s a short tips set, perfect for making an item like socks or cuffs for a larger garment. As they’re tricky to knit with, I don’t recommend them unless you have some experience.
This store has longer options available with different sizes. They also have traditional wooden knitting needles.
Includes
- 7 4″ tips in US 4-10.
- 2 16” cables
- 2 cable keys
- 4 end caps
- Green bag
Pros
- These products create lovely results
- Their shop usually receives an average of 5 stars for customer service and prompt shipping
- It’s cheaper than buying each pair individually
Cons
- Some customers didn’t like how few cables there were
Bamboo Double-Pointed Needles
BetyBedy Double-Pointed Carbonized Bamboo Needles
Check Price On Amazon
The points are tapered on both ends and the mm sizing is engraved into each needle.
- Sizes Included – 2, 2.25, 2.75, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 8, 9, 10mm (5 needles for each size, so 75 needles)
- Length – 8″
Pros
- Lots of sizes in the set
- Affordable
Cons
- No US sizing marked on the needles
- Some users found the smaller sizes splintered
Clover Bamboo Double-Pointed Needles
These are lovely bamboo needles, comfortable in the hand and holds on to stitches without them slipping off. The pale straw color is appealing and the smooth surface doesn’t snag the yarn.
The points are slightly blunt, but the taper is long enough to get into a stitch.
Features
- Total Needle Length – 5″ and 7″
Pros
- Lightweight
- Great for beginners
- Many star ratings
Cons
- Take care of the smaller sizes as they can break if used with force or they’re accidentally sat on!
Bamboo Straight Needles
Fairycece Bamboo Straight Knitting Needles Set
Check Price On Amazon
Features
- Sizes Included – US – 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 15 (Metric Size – 3mm 3.75mm 4mm 4.5mm 5mm 5.5mm 6mm 6.5mm 8mm 9mm 10mm).
- Total Needle Length – Approx. 9.7″ – 9.9″
- Made From – Carbonized bamboo
Pros
- Lightweight so they don’t tire out your wrists
- Points are slightly sharp
- Comes with a wrap purse with a place for each needle size
Cons
- Not very smooth
BetyBedy Bamboo Needles
Check Price On Amazon
Features
- Sizes Included – 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9, 10mm
- Total Needle Length – 9″
Pros
- Good range of sizes
- Affordable
Cons
- No US sizing
- Users experienced splintering and rough surfaces on some of the needles
Clover Takumi Single Pointed Needles
The green logo and packaging means they’re made with Takumi bamboo, which is the strongest species of Japanese bamboo.
Sizes Available
- 9″ (23cm) straights in 2-10mm
- 13″ (33cm) straights in 2-6mm
- 14″ (35cm) straights in 7-10mm
- 16″ (40cm) Straights come in 3-10mm
Pros
- Needles are polished for smoothness so your stitches don’t snag.
- Long lasting
Cons
- Longer straights are annoying if you knit with your arms out like wings
- The sizes you need may not always be in stock
- You need an account to purchase from these stores
LIHAO Bamboo Knitting Needles
Check Price On Amazon
Features
- Needle Sizes Available – 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9, 10 mm
- Total Length – 9.5″
Pros
- Comfortable to hold
- Affordable
Cons
- People found measurements were incorrect
Other Products To Consider
Tulip knitting needles (made in Japan) are one fantastic option. Sometimes sellers have great deals on these. See more info on their website (en.tulip-japan.co.jp) which is available in English.
They have a lot of products to choose from!
Q&A
Bamboo Knitting Needles Vs Aluminum
Aluminum suits knitters who like a slicker surface and are a tight knitter. If speed is your aim, aluminum needles are better.
Bamboo helps with stitches not falling off the needles. They’re both lightweight, but aluminum needles have a clicking sound when working.
How Do You Smooth Bamboo Knitting Needles?
If the surface of your needle snags yarn when knitting, use fine sandpaper or an emery board to smooth out any rough patches on a bamboo needle.
Bamboo Vs Metal Knitting Needles
Metal needles are inflexible and they can cause hand fatigue. However, they have less surface friction, so your stitches slide easily and quickly along the needle.
If you want to knit for speed, metal is your friend. The slicker, the better. Bamboo is more flexible and warm in the hand but your knitting definitely slows down as the surface grabs the yarn more.
Some knitters swear by bamboo needles, they love how lightweight they are.
It comes down to what projects you make. A heavy Aran sweater may be a push for bamboo needles to hold the weight.
Read my post for more information on metal needles.
Are Bamboo Knitting Needles Good?
I can say with a resounding yes, bamboo knitting needles are good. I love working with my Clover Bamboo fixed circulars and double-pointed needles.
I love the look, the feel and the fact they grab yarn. When I work with the DPNs, I don’t lose stitches.
How To Make Bamboo Knitting Needles Slippery
If after lots of use, the surface of your bamboo knitting needles becomes rough, use waxed paper to add a sheen, smoothness and slipperiness.
What Are The Advantages Of Bamboo Knitting Needles?
- Bamboo knitting needles are a great choice for beginner knitters and any other knitters who like a warm, organic feel to their needles.
- Bamboo needles feel like wooden needles, but they’re often cheaper, easier to find and available in a wider variety of sizes.
- Bamboo plants are giant grasses rather than trees. It’s a sustainable and renewable material.
- Bamboo needles are easy on the hands and cause less fatigue with their own weight. But surface friction is much higher. Bamboo has the most grab when compared to other materials. While this makes for much slower stitch formation and movement, it helps keep stitches in place.
- When using a slippery yarn, like silk or viscose (a yarn made from bamboo) or when starting circular knitting with few stitches or double-pointed needles, bamboo needles keep your stitches from sliding out of your control.
Bone Knitting Needles Vs Bamboo
Bone needles are medium weight, warm and slightly flexible. They’re easy on the hands. When properly cared for, they’re smooth and slippery.
Bone is more porous than ivory, and more likely to dry out and splinter. They need wax to keep them smooth and pliable.
Bone needles are made from animal bone. They’re not as popular as they once were, nor are they as sustainable as bamboo.
Hardwood Knitting Needles Vs Bamboo
Hard woods, soft woods, birch, rosewood, oak, pine, ash, etc., all have their properties. Wood is more flexible and as smooth. Most wood knitting needles are sanded to a satiny finish.
The more satiny the finish, the slicker and speedier the needles will be.
Wood like bamboo is light on the hands. This is helpful if you suffer from joint pain or arthritis.
The wood flexes to conform to the hands, rather than the hands having to conform to harder materials.
Weight, grain, hardness, finish, whether the wood is a single solid piece or laminated (many layers glued together before being shaped into a needle) all play a part in the strength and smoothness of knitting needles.
Unfinished softwood has much more surface friction and is “grabbier.” Wood needles also need care and maintenance.
Wood can dry out and the friction of yarn rubbing on your needles can rough up the surface.
Oiling, waxing or conditioning your needles keeps them smooth and strong for a longer time.
Larger wooden needles have more weight than their bamboo counterparts.
Wood is darker than bamboo, but this is often their appeal. The grain and richness of color varies depending on the wood. Bamboo unless dyed is mostly the same pale straw color.
Carbonized Bamboo Vs Natural Knitting Needles
Carbonization of bamboo is the process of steaming or smoking which gives the bamboo an amber hue.
It’s whether you like the color of natural bamboo needles or the color of the carbonized bamboo needles.
It has no effect on the qualities of the needle other than the color.
Olive Wood Vs Bamboo Knitting Needles
Olive wood has a lovely grain and color, but they’re more expensive than bamboo needles. They are both lightweight and warm in the hands.
Most olive wood needles are finely sanded and have a smooth surface. Not as grippy as bamboo needles.
Bamboo Vs Driftwood Knitting Needles – What Are The Differences?
Most needles labelled ‘driftwood’ aren’t actually made from wood that has washed up on a beach.
They’re made from laminated birch. The wood is dyed grey to give them a ‘driftwood’ appearance. The surface of these needles is sanded and act like other wooden needles.
If you haven’t tried using bamboo knitting needles, I highly recommend you give them a go.
Do you love them? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Get in touch with me here, on Instagram, or leave a note in the comments below.
