Stitches

Oil or wax for finishing homemade wooden knitting needles?

I need to finish my homemade wooden knitting needles. Should I use oil or wax to finish them? Any brand recommendations?

Public Comments

1. Oil may leave a smell, that might get on the yarn. I would recommend wax. An unscented furniture wax should be good.
2. Most wooden needles are finished using a process of either or both. It's a personal preference. Using oil is great, I've seen people use baby oil all the way through linseed oil (If you spent the time and effort on these, go with the linseed oil). Once the linseed oil is applied make sure they are thoroughly polished so the oil won't stain your yarns. You can leave it like that or apply a thin layer of varnish, poly or shellac to keep the oils in and extend the lifetime of your needles. The downside to this is it may make a more plasticy/squeaky feeling pair of needles, especially if you use a lot. Using just a little bit can do wonders and sand it down once dried with a finishing (as high of a grit sandpaper that you can find) sanding. If using wax try to stick to something natural like beeswax. This will need to be polished/sanded in with finishing sandpaper as well. Doing this will help force the beeswax into the rougher parts and prevent a wax coating from going onto your yarn. Over time whichever method you use, if not sealed they will have to be maintained (either re-oiled or re-waxed).