Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Finding pin loom needles

Many of the pin looms that people are happily using today were manufactured fifty or sixty years ago. These little looms don't really wear out. But its not enough to have a pin loom, you also need a needle that is skinny enough to fit between the pins and long enough to span the width of the loom with enough needle left over to pull through. That means that for a 2" loom you need a 4" needle, for a 4" wide loom, you need a 6" needle, and a 6" loom needs an 8" needle.

There seem to be several good sources of pin loom needles. If you know about other sources, please let me know and I will list them here.

 Lacis lists a Weave-it Needle, "A 6" straight shaft needle with yarn eye and blunt end specifically designed for the popular weaving boards." These appears to be the same as the needles that were originally packaged with the loom.  It is interesting to note that the price of these needles has dropped. When I checked on them several years ago, the price was around $7.00 each. More recently I saw it priced at around $3.00. But don't count on my report, the prices may change regularly.

The newest resource for 6" and 4" needles has come about courtesy of the Zoom Loom. It appears that some Schact distributors also have Zoom Loom replacement needles available.


If you search for Upholstery Needle Set, you will find a number of retailers selling a set of 4 sharp pointed needles, 6" 8" 10" and 12" with large eyes that will work for pin looms. Price is in the neighborhood of $5 or $6.00 plus shipping. In addition to finding them online, Hancock Fabrics often carries the set in their upholstery department. These needles do need to have their points rounded off so they don't split the yarn.
   
 I also have to recommend the 5" Susan Bates Weaving Needle. This needle does not work well with the pin looms, it is a little too thick and short. However, it works great for joining squares and other weaving tasks. It is available at a variety of craft stores and the cost is low. Considering how precious the 6" weaving needles can be, this needle can substitute for all the other uses where a good yarn needle is needed. It has a nice rounded point and a very large eye.


I haven't mentioned anything about tapestry needles on the basis that they are readily available. I haven't mentioned 4" needles for the 2" pin loom because I am not aware of any sources.  Please let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions for resources. It will help us all move toward a state of bliss.

An update: a friend pointed out that there are 4" doll needles that, with a little work, can serve as a weaving needle for any of the 2" wide looms. She noted seeing 4" needles at Hobby Lobby-- I think they are available at any doll related or large craft store. The needle needs to have its point rounded off. I find the doll needles to be a little too thin and therefor prone to bend. But the doll needles do offer another weaving option. MS

2nd update on 4" needles: (Actually 3.75" needles that work really well for 2" wide looms.) I recently purchased a package of five assorted Dritz doll needles. Four of them are of minimal interest but the largest looks just like the needle that came with my 2" x 2" Weave-it loom except that this needle is sharp. I rounded it off pretty effectively using a whetstone.  These packages of needles are widely available at national hobby stores.

6 comments:

  1. Hi Margaret, We carry a 7" weaving needle on our web site. www.hazelroselooms.com

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  2. Hazel Rose Looms wrote, "Hi Margaret, We carry a 7" weaving needle on our web site. www.hazelroselooms.com ". Check out all the looms and accessories. There is a link to her very important pin loom site under "LINKS".

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  3. Hi Margaret, How did you dull the tips of these needles? Did you just break them off and then file them down? Is there an easier way?

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    Replies
    1. No, I don't break them off. I have a whet stone, a knife sharpening stone, that I use but I think that you could use just an ordinary piece of smooth stone. You are doing the opposite of sharpening, you are twirling and rubbing the tip against the stone so that it becomes dull and, hopefully, a ballpoint shape. It takes a little while but I have done several while watching one sit-com, so it doesn't take too long.

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  4. Also check out the updated post on finding needles at:
    http://www.pinloomweaving.com/2015/10/pin-loom-weaving-needles-revisited.html for further information on finding usable weaving needles.

    ReplyDelete

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