Last week I FINALLY managed to squirrel aside an hour to visit my favourite local op shops.
I was on the hunt for fabric scraps and pieces for my 100 Words & 100 Birds project, but I scored a whole stack of old knitting needles too. I’ve been wanting to try making knitting needle bangles forever, so I finally had a go!
These are the ones that actually worked! I was surprised at how many of the needles just wouldn’t bend enough to curve into a bangle – I snapped a few trying, too. But I’m quite pleased with these! Some came out better than others – but the beauty of this is I can always re-heat and re-mould them!
All you need to do is pop them in some boiling water, then pull them out (without hurting yourself!) and bend them around something. I, conveniently, have a bangle mandrel, so that’s what I used!
Not sure what I’m going to do with them – maybe I should give one or two away? I don’t think they’re good enough to sell, and I’ll be keeping a few!
So, would you like one? Leave me a comment telling me which one you like the most… and you never know, you might just get it in the mail!
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These are too too TOO cute!
How fun!
Oh, wow, I didn’t know there was such a thing as a bangle mandrel (I am head over heels for my ring mandrel).
These are awesome! I love that blue-ish coloured one, and the green are cool too. Well done Jess!
I’m not usually much of a yellow fan, but I like the yellow ones!
LOL I tried making some of these last week and mine all snapped so I gave up. Must need to boil them longer… although they were in for nearly an hour!
Oh wow! Yep, more than half of mine just wouldn’t play the game – it was the ones made from a certain plastic that worked well, I found. Good luck trying again!!
I ♥ knitting!!!!!!!!!! and those bangles are AWESOME!!!! Well done! If I can get myself into some op shops (with 4 kids in tow that’s a feat!) I might have to try myself (there’s no way on earth I’m going to use my current knitting needles, they’re way to precious! I ♥ my knitting needles :D)…..
Anyway, I’m a sucker for pink….. or maybe the green….. oh, they’re all so lovely, it’s hard to pick just one. It’ll have to be the green, it’s such a great stand out colour 😀
Oh no, I couldn’t use my own, either!
Gorgeous! I love the blue/purple one and also green. I think a pile of the yellow ones would look great stacked together.
Oh I love this idea, There must be millions of old needles around the world. I would love to relieve you of a pink or black one ! ( do they even make black knitting needles ? ) Very generous of you to offer your work!
Oh my goodness! This is such a good idea! I love the blue and green bangles! If I ever come across any in a thrift store I am definitely trying this!
You are so incredibly creative! I would’ve never thought to do that! Love the pink & yellow one. Actually…I love them all!
These are awesome! I kind of wish I hadn’t given away my older plastic needles, so I could try. I’ll have to keep my eyes out for some at garage sales and thrift stores. My favorite is the yellow one!
What a great idea! I love the blue/purple one at the front.
I must try it. I think it is wonderful!
thank you for the great tip
x
margit fra
creativetail
i love making these – i got totally addicted to buying and bending vintage needles! it does have to be the right type of plastic to work though and i think the plastic that works is bakelite. I don’t want any of your bangles lovely as they are as i have a huge pile of them myself!
Love..Love.. Love..
I bought some knitting needles ages ago to make into bangles but haven’t yet.. you have now inspired me to give it ago.. thanks for the inspiration..
Kaylee
i luv the yellow ones (but truly like them all)! it’s a reminder that spring is coming! i also like that each one has a different tip that gives it a unique gem like quality.
Sweetie,you are so clever!! I think they all are very cool
~Sharon~
aww man I love them all! Thats such a cute idea!! i have loads of knitting needles but they are all the grey metal ones or bamboo ones 🙁 *thumbs up*
Hi Jess, I’m so loving the dark purple one!! You’ve got a great idea about these little babies. I’ve got a few things in my shop that I need to give away too. I’m nabbin’ that idea from you!! Who knows.. you may get something sweet in the post!! 🙂
Yay! xx
I <3 any of the green ones! Great work (:
Love me a beehive or a number 5!
Very cool! I’ve never seen knitting needle bangles before. I love the green ones.
Those are sooo cute! I totally want to make myself some!
I love the pink and purple. I have a ton of vintage knitting needles, but I adore them so much that I haven’t been able to bring myself to make a bangle out of any of them.
That would be the most useful thing my knitting needles would ever do 😀
I <3 the purple one!!! They are all great…nice work!!!
those are great!!! Love Love the blue one and what a great combination the blue and yellow would be!!!!
I love the bright purple (blue?) one and I love the idea!!
I would love the yellow or purple one!!
Hi, love the purple one, so cool. What a great bangle. I knit and crochet, this is just an awesome idea!!!! Thanks for sharing.
What a neat idea! thanks for sharing. I like them all…such bright colors!
nancy
They’re all so cute, but I’m falling for the pink one. I have been wanting to make these for quite awhile now, but I have had no luck in finding plastic knitting needles in thrift stores.
Very very very cool. I will not pass up the plastic guys next time. Will try next time I get plastic hand-me-downs =) Green with beige top looks sweet . . .as do they all!!
Nifty idea! I <3 the green and the yellow ones!!!!!
I like the purple & pink ones! And the red ones. and the green one…I just love all of them!
I love the purple bangle. I know I have knitting needles somewhere, I will have to look them up and make some bangles for gifts to others. Thank you so much!
Wow! we were in N.O recently and seen these in one of the little shops we were in. they also had metal ones as well. loved the idea on how to recycled these things. they had ones with beads wrapped around them. really neat! love it!
This is an excellent idea! I was looking to see what I could make out my nan’s old knitting needles for my mom to have her ‘something old’ on her wedding day. Love it!
Oh, how lovely, Chelsea! I’m sure she’ll love that x
These are awesome! 🙂 so fantastic 🙂 may I have one? Preferably gray or neutral 🙂 x
I cannot find plastic knitting needles to try to make these-but I will keep looking. Â I really like the green with the black ends, but I’m sure they are long gone. Â
wow……..they are cool……especially green and yellow……….and u see i cant get them in my city ……will u please make me two?
I simply adore the “knitting bangles”; simple, colorful and quite eclectic…and that’s who I am. I like many things but my mainstream specialty is knitting and crocheting. These bangles would be such “a statement” if I were to wear them. What a fantastic way to up-cycle mismatched and lost needles! Brilliant!!!!!
i really like the pink one. would like to make these for my daughter … she does so much for her family and friends and i want something that would remind her to take time to do something for herself. she is so awsome!
I love the idea but cannot find any needles. Wanted to make some for 2 friends that are knitting fanatics. Have searched flea markets, antiques shops etc. Have any ideas?
do you boil any metal ones or are they all plastic.Thanks love them. yellow is mellow
Love them all! Great idea, very interested in them.