One of the great things about knitting is being able to use excellent tools, and for all the time we spend choosing the fibers and yarns we want to work with, a lot of us probably don't spend a lot of time thinking about the knitting needles we use.
That's a real shame, because working with beautiful, well-made knitting needles adds a whole other layer of enjoyment to knitting, as I was reminded when I took a pair of Laurel Hill knitting needles for a test knit.
Exotic, Sustainable Needles
Laurel Hill makes knitting needles and crochet hooks out of exotic woods like forest palmwood, trai wood, nam oc wood and ebony.
The needles are made by hand in Vietnam and the wood is sustainably harvested.
The company has been providing private label needles and hooks for other companies for several years and now is offering the products under its own name.
The company's website says it aims to "create an ambiance of creativity, confidence, and peace to enhance your knitting experience."
Using the Needles
I tried out a pair of the company's 10.5 US knitting needles. My first impression was that they felt very light (they're about 10 grams a piece, which is actually pretty light).
The needles are very smooth and lovely to look at. There are no rough spots and the end cap is joined neatly and securely to the end. The points are dull and rounded.
I tried out the needles working a simple gauge swatch and found them to be very quick and easy to work with, warm and comfortable. Every time I stopped knitting I just wanted to play with the needles, to feel the warmth of the wood and admire the grain.
About the Needles
Laurel Hill's needles are all 10 inches long and they are available in 11 sizes, ranging from size 4 to 15 US (3.5 millimeter to 10 millimeter).
Needles are $12 or $13 as of this writing, with larger sizes costing more.
I would say the needles (and the crochet hooks, which have a cool thumb rest and run $8 to $10 each) are well worth the investment, because you'll use them and enjoy them for years. They'd make a great gift for a knitter in your life or a treat for yourself just because or when you're knitting yourself something really special.
Using great knitting needles makes the experience of knitting just that more tactile and enjoyable. If you haven't treated yourself to some really great needles, maybe it's time to try it.
