The current knitting needles and crocheting hooks are far from being objects of desire. There is relatively little variation in the models and materials, the packaging is rather unattractive, and even the well-equipped department stores rarely stock them.
For making a proper toolbox for fashion crafting, I started by putting seven knitting needle models into a user test. These are (from left to right in the picture):
1. Chopstick, Wrong Noodle Bar, Helsinki (there were two in the test)
2. Straight steel knitting needles, INOX, England
3. Double pointed rosewood knitting needles, Susanne’s, Germany
4. Straight plastic knitting needles from the 1960s, unknown manufacturer
5. Double pointed bamboo knitting needles, ADDI, Germany
6. Circular ebony knitting needles, Susanne’s, Germany
7. Circular aluminum knitting needles, AERO, England
Test criteria (i.e. the elements of user experience in knitting):
Smoothness
In knitting you always have to slide back the needle that holds the loops. It really makes a difference if the needles are slippery or sticky. That’s why smoothness is one of the most essential characteristics of needles.
Weight
The weight of the needle affects to the knitting speed. Heavy needles are slower to knit with than light needles.
Sound
If one likes to knit in public spaces like movie theaters, trains, and planes, one may appreciate needles with modest sound. A noisy clacking can be so annoying!
Feel
The feel of the knitting needle in the hand is important. The material of the needles often makes the most difference overall.
Looks
Why do knitting needles have to look so dull? For serious crafters, they are in the same category with other personal portable objects, such as the pen, the phone, and the purse.
Portability
Portability can mean at least two things. First, it can mean travel portability (for instance, wooden and plastic needles can be taken on the plane whereas metal needles can mean trouble). A second dimension of portability is the wearablity of the tools (for instance, people could hang the needles on their neck).
Open the user test PDF here.
wow your photos look amazing and great! excellent advert. it even makes me want to start stitching. and yah, i would totally rather buy a red needle, so when it drops on the floor i can see it!
Posted by: anina.net | April 22, 2005 at 05:01 PM
i just read about you meeting loic! i still love these photos!
Posted by: anina.net | June 13, 2005 at 11:53 AM
Yes, he is super! I've also been hoping to meet you as I've heard we have a shared interest in tags and fashion. Loic told it will be possible this September in Paris. I'm really looking forward to that!
Posted by: Ulla-Maaria | June 14, 2005 at 11:34 AM
What a find -- thanks for dreaming up this website. What's not to love about a review of knitting needles that features comments such as "Determined clear clicking. If rosewood is the soprano, then this is alto"?? Or even the fact OF a review in the first place. Who would have thought that "craftiness" could be so articulate. I must steal time to peruse the rest of this site -- soon!
Posted by: Åsa | December 22, 2005 at 01:41 PM
Is i possible to buy this photo i our magazine?
(www.kamille.no)
Posted by: Karina Muggerud | July 03, 2007 at 04:23 PM
Sure. You can find my email on the about page.
Posted by: Ulla-Maaria Engeström | July 03, 2007 at 09:53 PM
Dated: 01.02.2008.
Dear Sir / Madam,
We are pleased to inform you that we are one of the Exporters of all kinds of Wooden Hand Knitting Needles alongwith Wooden Circular Needles and Bamboo Double Point Needles, Silk Hand Knitting Yarn, Wooden Shawl Pin and Shell Shawl Pin, from India.
Our Products are made from fine and smooth fiber Different type of Indian Hard Wood and Bamboo’s. Our Products Brand name is “SILKY”.
We make a new item of Black Colour Ebony look Needle also.
We export mainly in U.S.A., U.K. and Canada and some other countries. We are interest to make business with you honestly.
If you are interested to see our products kindly visit our website http://www.lokenathagency.com (our new website also shown after end of January 2008 which is now under construction).
If you are interested to see our product, kindly mail us your full sample sending address alongwith phone no. so that we can send our free sample for your approval.
Apart from our products mentioned in our Website we can also supply as per your specific sample.
Kindly register our name in your esteem organization and send us your valued enquiry so that we can fulfill your needs.
Your co-operation in this regard shall be highly appreciated.
Regards,
RINA CHOWDHURY.
BABA LOKENATH SUPPLY AGENCY.
23 Y/1, DPP Road.
Kolkata -700047, West Bengal, India.
Phone: +91 09433098741, 09433090913, 033-24105588
E-mail: mail@lokenathagency.com
E-mail: lokenathagency@yahoo.co.in
Website: www.lokenathagency.com
Posted by: RINA CHOWDHURY. | February 07, 2008 at 12:03 PM