Rooting Needle Holder - DIY version

I don't particularly like any of the commercially made needle holders, I get really bad RSI and i find they make my wrists ache... Plus I am quite heavy handed and tend to snap needles if they are in the commercial holders. So this is my way of getting round those problems, I find the needles flex more this way and are less likely to snap.

You will need:

1 Earplug (you could use something else but I find earplugs cheap and flexible


Rooting Needle


2-3 Hair bands (the cheap ones without the metal closure are best)


You will also need a pair of needle nose tweezers, you could actually just do this with a rooting needle but it runs the risk of bending.


I got these from an electrical store called Maplin for about £2 and I find them great for use during rooting as well for pulling out the extra hairs.

The first step is to poke a hole into your earplug, doesnt have to go all the way through, grab the centre of the ear plug with your needle nose tweezers and twist, that bores quite a nice neat little hole.



Push the end of your needle into the hole in your earplug and pull the earplug down, don't go push the needle all the way through, the earplug will act as protection for your fingertip.


Once your earplug is on take one of the hair bands and twist it round and round over the top of the needle... avoid doing this at the business end... there can be painful consequences.


I find 2 hair bands works fine for me, but you can use 3, twist them nice and tightly.

This is what you should end up with.

That's a great tip Lisa
I use the 43 extra fine needles though and need to see the end so this wouldn't work for me

I use the 46g needles, they are supposed to be for silicone but they are wonderful on vinyl, the holes are just invisible but they are prone to bending.

Wow,you are very clever,I did something very similar but not as good as yours.

this looks a good idea, I have been using a little wooden one which I bought from Lilian Trigg.

I use the rubber band and wear thin silicone quilters grip thimbles on my thumb and finger. I like the idea of the earplugs, I get a lot of those on the plane! Better start saving them, I suppose you could push the needle through so that the crook shows, I too use 43 g fork needles

I have tried the 46 needles Lisa but I couldn't get on with them
I think I have just gotten used to the 43's being shorter, I feel I have more control, I also just use an elastic band wrapped around my needle.

Fab idea Lisa, Will try that Thank you,
Linda

great Idea, I found that I could not use any of the rooting tools out there
until I came across this one, it is like holding a pen very comfortable in the hand also
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brand-New-Clover-Pen-Style-Needle-Felting-Tool-/220736536593?pt=UK_Crafts_OtherCrafts_Spinning_Weaving&hash=item3364ec4011#ht_1375wt_905

I had to share this with you, xx

Yes,I know and have it!
I have some differrent ones look at this:
https://www.youtube.com/user/AnnaPZRebornNursery
And I also make myself some with 1,2,3,...needles but always with 42 and one barb,that are the one I´m happy with.

Irenepin68 wrote:

great Idea, I found that I could not use any of the rooting tools out there
until I came across this one, it is like holding a pen very comfortable in the hand also
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brand-New-Clover-Pen-Style-Needle-Felting-Tool-/220736536593?pt=UK_Crafts_OtherCrafts_Spinning_Weaving&hash=item3364ec4011#ht_1375wt_905

I had to share this with you, xx

I tried using ones of those but the clicking noise drove me mad LOL. I get on fine with a rubber band and 43g fork though

cristinaheredia wrote:

Yes,I know and have it!
I have some differrent ones look at this:
https://www.youtube.com/user/AnnaPZRebornNursery
And I also make myself some with 1,2,3,...needles but always with 42 and one barb,that are the one I´m happy with.

I got ones of these and it works fine with the 4 needles in it although I found it was harder to pull out of the head but I am sure when I do a big head I will not mind that!!