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Photo Source: Shidonna Raven Patterns & Publications.
March 19, 2020
Needles and hooks can truly be an investment even if you are in to collecting them as I am.
While hooks and needles can be fashioned out of several types of materials, hooks and needles are commonly made of steel, aluminum, plastic, wood or acrylic. They are a worthy investment. Yet an investment still, particularly your needles since there are so many types of needles to be had. Follow this simple rules to keep your hooks and needles in tip top shape for years to come.
Keep hooks and needles away from extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, corrosives and chemicals. Keep your needles and hooks in a case designed for hooks and needles. Protect the tips of your needles, especially smaller needles. Keeping DPNs in DPN tubes.
Not storing and properly caring for hooks and needles in proper storage cases can result in pits and warping causing snags in your work.
Steel
For steel hooks or needles, soak in rubbing alcohol. After the bath dry them thoroughly with a muslin or chamois.
Aluminum and Plastic
Plastic hooks and needles can be washed with a natural and chemical free mild detergent and then dried with a muslin or chamois.
Wood
Wood should not be scrubbed nor washed. Hooks get naturally moisturized by the oils in your hands and in your wool yarn. Nonetheless, it is a good practice to regularly condition you wood hooks and needles with natural beeswax. First clean and dry muslin or paper towel. Then condition it with beeswax. Allow hooks and needles to dry and then buff with muslin or chamois.
Acrylic
Keep hooks and needles away from direct heat. Wash them with a natural and chemical free mild detergent soap and dry well with a muslin or chamois.