Bone Knitting Needles – Your Complete Guide

By Jodie Morgan

| Updated:

One of the least common materials in knitting needles, bone is the material of the first makers of textile crafts.

Most bone knitting needles today are antiques.

Bone Needles Feat Img

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Frustrated Teacher Quits In Disgust, Sells The Farm, Moves The Family Halfway Across The World And… Starts Knitting

A knitting needle with bone is

  • Smooth
  • Flexible
  • Has grip
  • Warm to the touch

I reviewed and updated this post on August 17, 2022.

Table Of Contents

Elk Bone Double Point Needles

Elk Bone Double Point Needles
Monika Hint has great reviews for her Bone Art

Handmade bone needles of elk bone (the elk/wapiti is a large mammal from the moose family, in North America & Europe.)

These are made by an Estonian artisan who makes rustic accessories from recovered bone, horn, stone, wood & hide.

Features

  • Sizes – US size 1, 2, 3, 4, 6.
  • Length – 17 cm
  • Pack Of 5

Pros

  • Has a unique set of point protectors
  • Made with natural processes and natural dyes
  • Smooth and warm on the hands
  • An exceptional thing to knit with
  • Durable

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Limited sizing
  • Not suitable for speed knitting

French Antique Bone-Double Pointed Needles

French Antique Bone Double Pointed Needles
Laurette from Vintage Decor Francais has excellent customer reviews

A set of 5 French antique bone double-pointed needles from around the 1920s. In excellent condition and high quality.

A functional tool to last for lots of knitting.

Features

  • Sizes – 2.25
  • Length – 19.5 cm
  • Pack Of 5

Pros

  • In excellent condition
  • Great customer service
  • Fast shipping
  • Smooth
  • Guaranteed to last for years

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Limited sizing available
  • The material slows knitting down

Bone Double-Pointed Needles

Bone double pointed needles are available from this store, though the sizing is limited.

They’re vintage knitting needles, in excellent condition.

Features

  • Sizes – US 5 & 6 – 7″ In Length & US 5 & 6 – 10″ In Length
  • Pack Of 5

Pros

  • In great condition
  • More affordable than other knitting needles you might find for sale on the internet
  • Smooth
  • Warms to the hands
  • The right length for a variety of projects
  • Your yarn won’t slide off the needle

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Not for those who like to knit fast
  • Limited sizing

Lacis Bone 10″ Straight Knitting Needles

A set of straight knitting needles by Lacis and manufactured in India.

They’re smooth and are quality, well-made needles.

Features

  • Length – 10″

Pros

  • Smooth
  • Warm to the touch
  • Yarn won’t slide off the needle
  • Comfortable
  • Has the right amount of grip

Cons

  • Limited sizing
  • Not suitable for speed knitters

Bone Knitting Needles Vs Bamboo

bone knitting needles and bamboo knitting needles.

Bone

  • Variety of animal bones
  • Rare, antique models
  • Expensive

Bamboo

  • Select few species of bamboo
  • One of the most popular knitting needle materials
  • Affordable

Similarities

  • Smooth and lightweight
  • Comfortable on the hands
  • Useful for those with hand pain/hand strain, arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Keeps you knitting for longer
  • Not for speed knitters
  • Good for slippery yarn
  • Stops the yarn from slipping off the needle

Where To Find Bone Style Knitting Needles?

It’s challenging to find a bone needle for knitting.

However, your best bet would be vintage/antique shops, online and physical brick-and-mortar stores.

The tools of our ancestors and with a lovely feel to the hand.

Pin For Later

Bone Needles Pin

Frustrated Teacher Quits In Disgust, Sells The Farm, Moves The Family Halfway Across The World And… Starts Knitting

About The Author

Jodie Morgan From Knit Like Granny

Jodie Morgan (Author & Founder)

jodie@knitlikegranny.com | Lives In: Regional Australia

Author: Jodie Morgan is a passionate knitter and blogger with 40+ years of experience currently living in regional Australia. Taught by her mother and wonderful grandmother “Mama”, she fell in love with crafting from a young age. When she’s not knitting, you’ll find her enjoying a cup of coffee with cream, or sharing helpful resources and tips with the online knitting community. Get to know Jodie and the team on our meet the team page.

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