Make Handmade Knitting Needles with Jewelry Beads

Things you'll need...
Wooden dowels
Beads
Wood filler
Craft glue
Pencil sharpener and/or wood knife
Sandpaper (medium and fine grade, steel wool is also great!)
Emery board (for shaping needle point)
Acrylic paint
Waterbased sealer (like MinWax Polycrylic)
Wax (beeswax or even wax paper)

Other Tools:
Cordless drill
Paint brush
Small rubber bands (optional)
Small vise (optional)
Rubber shelf liner (optional)

STEP 1. Choose the size wooden dowel you want and look for beads of appropriate size (You will have to drill a hole in the bead the size of the dowel). For the beads, choose an easily drillable material, like wood or plastic (avoid metal or glass). Note: Some beads that look like they are metal are really just metal-plated and actually are plastic inside and might work. Just check the beads carefully.

STEP 2. If the beads don't have the correct size holes, you will need to drill a hole. If the existing hole is bigger than you need, completely fill the bead with wood filler and allow to dry for at least a day before drilling. When dry, decide which is the "nicer" end for the top and sand that side even with the top of the bead. Be careful not to remove the finish or paint around the edge of the filler. Sometimes you may need to use your fingernails to scratch off pieces of filler stuck to the bead.

If the hole is smaller than the dowel, you are ready to proceed.

STEP 3. Use a drill to create a hole that is the same size of the dowel (ex. I'm using 1/4" dowels, so I'll use the 1/4" drill bit). Safety is important. Some beads have slick finishes and you need to guard your hands. Use a soft cloth and a small vise to grip the bead or if you feel comfortable, use a piece of rubber shelf liner to grip the bead by hand. Again, BE CAREFUL and drill SLOWLY.

It is important to NOT DRILL COMPLETELY THROUGH the bead. You only need to drill about 3/4 of the way through to create a deep enough hole. This also will keep you from creating a larger hole at the top. If you do accidentally drill through, just refill the top hole with wood filler and let dry.

Note: Occasionally beads may have the right size holes already. If this is the case, put the bead on the needle. Don't make it flush with the top of the knitting needle, but instead about 3/4 the way down. Fill the top of the bead with wood filler to close the top part of the hole. You can twist a rubber band around the needle and push it up near the top for the bead to "sit" on while the top is being finished. Let the filler dry for at least a day before sanding the top and proceeding to Step 4.

STEP 4. Use a strong craft glue to attach your beads to the dowels. Use an acrylic paint that coordinates with your bead to paint the wood filler on top. Allow the paint to dry and coat either the painted portion or the entire bead with a clear water-based sealer (I use MinWax Polycrylic in either Satin or Clear Gloss).

STEP 5. Decide on the length you want for your needles now and cut off any excess. Be careful to leave at least 1 - 1 1/2 inches MORE than your desired length to make up for the shaping of the point.

STEP 6. Now for the most critical part, the tip! Be ready to spend some time getting the tip right. Why go through all this work if the tip stinks and makes the needles hard to use? Look at store bought needles for help in shaping your point.

Use a pencil sharpener or wood knife to make a point at the other end of the dowel. Keep in mind when using a pencil sharpener that you still need to adjust the angle of the tip using sandpaper, an emery board, or a wood knife. I always use a pencil sharpener when possible, but I have found that if you don't steepen the angle (slope) of the point further, the needles are difficult to knit with. Knitting needles with long tapered tips work well.

STEP 7. We're almost done! Now to sanding. Use a medium grade sandpaper first to smooth the entire dowel and tip. Use a fine sandpaper next and if possible finish with steel wool to create an extremely smooth finish. Don't forget to sand the tip!

STEP 8. To finish, you could apply a light coat of a clear water-based finish to the entire needle. Allow it to dry and sand again with fine sandpaper or steel wool. If you are happy with what you have, try to use some sort of wax to make it easier for your yarn to glide on the needles. I've used beeswax bars (rub on and use a soft cloth to rub smooth), but you can even rub your needles with wax paper for good effect.

Ta da! You're done! Enjoy your beautiful, one-of-a-kind needles.

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