KNITTNG NEEDLES - BRANDS AND MANUFACTURERS
Brand Names,
Owner/
Material Type
Other
Contrib Comments
Relationships
utr
Needle Owners/Data Contributors -- Pat Ashford, Rhonda Barratt, Christina Bertrand (inc her newsletter NeedleNotes) , Judy Cameron,
Naomi Cidder, Judith Durbridge, Eva Haylock, Sue Lennon, Gay Lines, Molly Pearce, Joyce Poynter, Jean Price, Merilyn Tebb, Beryl
Warne, Shelia Williams, Robyn Zloch
Name
Quaker Girl
Queen Bee
Queen Bee
Wimberdar brand
aluminum
straight
metal
straight
SEW
metal shaft, yellow plastic stopper
Patons & Balwins
brand
metal
4xDP
SEW
brown paper wrapper, now adhering to needles -- or 1.5 inch plastic sleeve which says
"Queen Bee"
Quicknit
Perlac brand
resin
straight
4xdp
GL/SEW
faux tortoiseshell and others, with paper wrapper around set.
Quicknit
Quicknit
Torta Shell
resin
straight
SEW
Quill
resin
straight
GL/SEW
CC847
"Quicknit 12" on shaft. Later needles have only size on stopper and name on paper
wrapper
Cased set of US sizes 3-10 with cable needles and point protectors
Stopper is the same mitre-shape as the NZ brand Liteflex
Rabbit
bamboo
straight
Rainsford
Rainbow
Lady Jayne -- see
above
Stratnoid
Rainbow
modern
Ramo
Ranem
Rathna
Redditch
Red Heart
Red Heart
Reed
Regal
Regia
see Chadwick and
Coats & Clark
"Starters"
SEW
Australian manufacturer -- made hardware for seatbelts9
annodised
metal
straight
BW, SEW Self-coloured, tiny stoppers
sp
metal
sp
plastic
SP
Poynter
hardcopy photo on file
metal
straight
SEW
steel
straight
black resin trapazoid-shaped stoppers, name incised on shaft near stopper, Imperial
size on stopper
sold in wooden tubes, dp
SEW
resin
straight
straight
metal
4xDP
coated
aluminum
5xDP
Mexico -- for kids
SEW
SEW
the set is packaged with sock-shaped point protectors. From Schackenmayr
Nomotta.
Name
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Regina
Material
Type
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
coated
aluminum
SP
SEW
Rekarts
Reno
Rever
Rexcolour
Reynolds
Rhoda
straight
metal
"Jumbo Jets"
Rhodo Cristal
Rhodo-Cristal
Nacre
Rhodo Lustral
Rhodo-Pastel
Rhodo Vedette
See also Nacre
Laine
4xdp
SEW
circular SP
SP
SEW
bought in Santiago, Chili 2006
op shop find - European ?
straight
SEW
similar to Phildar -- coloured metal shaft, red stopper, silvered ends
aluminum
straight
SEW
plastic tips
plastic
straight
steel
SP
SEW
resin
SP
GL, SEW
round ball at the top and a stamp along the side that says Rhoda No 1 Pat Pend. -see the two right pair in the photo below
Secuit Brevete 2
Stopper appears to be something like Bakelite -- different to the resin on the shaft. (cc
471)
made in France. "Nacre" means mother of pearl, indicating the type of finish.
The bulk of the red and green ones have no metal core and are just a plastic and larger
than the amber ones which probably are resin and do have a metal core and also
labels which say RHODO LUSTRAL - Secuit Brevete 2.
steel core
straight
straight
BW
conical stoppers impressed with size
Name
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Richknit
Material
Type
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
metal
resin
4xdp
SP
SEW CC
1036
Robert Glew
last name could be
longer - torn on
wrapper
resin
4xdp
SP
Robin
Robert Glew & Co
Ltd
metal
straight
BW, SEW,
Poynter
Robinoid
Robert Glew & Co
Ltd
straight
SEW/
Poynter
Robinoid
Rockets
associated with
Patons??
cc 580 "made by blind people"+F763
Name
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
Material
Type
Romaxe
resin metal
circular
Romaxe
Romaxe
aluminum
straight
wood
straight
Roolapin
resin
straight
SEW
Rosalea
plastic
SP
SEW
CC 648
Rosary
metal
SP
SEW
CC772
Brand name is on paper label and on shaft. Underside of stopper says "made in
England Regd"
metal
circular
SEW
Paper package is marked with the manufacturer and the date
Roxana Yarn Co.,
Newnan, Georgia
in 1936
retailer
SEW (cc
452)
transparent plastic and have a tape measure inside. The 'roolapin' has patent numbers
on it and was made in England. CC 717
Name
Royal Society
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Material
CC 763 Box says
plastic
"made in USA" -also see CC 712
(Royal Society yarn
and pattern from
1930's (?) )
Royce
Type
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
straight
SEW
crochet
hook ?
Ruby
brass
straight
Rubilla
Rulapin or
Roolapin
Rump & Prym
German
straight
manufacturer of
Inox, etc.
Sarbon
Safety Knittng Pin
Envelope, The
Sail
Sail
GL
green shaft marked in inches, white stopper
acquired the Aero trademark
resin
metal
Yarns Brunswick
English ?
DP
SEW
straight
made in England
made in India
Sail
Sargent-Welch
Sarron
Sarron
metal
DP
SEW
wholesaler's brown manila packet of 12, now oxidised with a green coating
resin
straight
GL
teal green resin, small firm in Stroud
SEW
CC1127
UK op shop find 2007
Schnellstricknadlen
Schoner Hakeln
Scoville
straight
owns Hero (and
Dritz?)
resin
circular
straight
SEW
Name
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Scotch Wool &
Hosiery Stores
Seagul
Material
Type
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
4xdp
SEW
cc986
Name appears on Abel Morrall's "Safety Stitched Envelopes w Cross Fox trademark.
straight
BW
Grey pairs in white paper labels with red lettering. Small, flat self stoppers with size
superimposed on top.
Seams Incredible
kit
SEW
Sears
SP
SEW
Circular
see packet
on left of
photo
annodised
Seagul
Sears
Sears
aluminum
"Needlemaster"
metal/plastic kit
cc 498
kit with removable heads. Ebay seller says, "I believe these kits were made by Boye
for sale by the Sears Roebuck Co. They just put their name on them..They are
identical"
Sears
Secil Wools
Semco
plastic/resin
"Fairy"
metal
Poynter
SEW
cc1078
set of 4 DP GL, SEW
Firm sold wool in 1950's
Australian firm established 1907
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Material
Type
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
Semco
metal
SP
SEW
Sevendale
Sewing Bee
Sewing Bee
resin
SP
SEW
straight
SEW CC
722
crochet
hook
SEW
cc 489
SEW
CC 737 Flat ring stopper has SHC&S on one half and T225598 on lower half
GL, SEW
light tortoisehell aspect. "Shellite" on stopper, whtle band around flattened stopper.
Also, for plain colours, black band around the stopper and Shellonite on shaft.
Name
sold during 1980's (1982 noted o back of one packet)
distributed by Talon annodised
America. Plastic
aluminum?
sleeve says made in
Mexico
Shamrock
metal
Sharplex
nickel plated 5xDP
S.H.C.&S.
metal
SP
Sheff, B. & Co
wood
straight
resin
straight
Shellonite
Creative Knitters
Group brand
Shirohato
Shirohato
these later needles made in India. But note the stopper on these needles is the same
as that on Sirdar.
British
front of the package says "Shirohato" and "trade mark" with a symbol that looks like a
flying bird. "Packing P.A.T., No. 411642, No. 105787" is on the other end. The back of
the packages have a lot of Japanese characters.
bamboo
SP
SEW
Name
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Material
SIH
Type
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
SP
Silver Queen
aluminum
SP
Scandanavian
SEW
CC809
Silvergoose
Simplicity
Brand name stamped on one side of flattened shaft. Made in England" on reverse.
Also flat tin case -- cc 659
modern craft manufacturer of quality needles with decorated ends.
brandname is
Loving Touch
straight
Simplicity
Sirdar
Sirdar
metal
SP
Sirdar
metal
straight
Singer
Siskin
Skacel
bamboo
straight
SEW
From modest origins to international pacesetters in hand knitting, the Sirdar story has
been over a century in the making. Founded in the Yorkshire West Riding town of
Ossett in 1880 as Harrap Brothers, the fledgling company moved to its present site in
1890.
The Sirdar name was adopted in the early years, being chosen to reflect the aura of
Lord Kitchener’s appointment as Sirdar or leader of the Egyptian army. It was in the
1930’s that the name was used to brand the company’s range of hand knit yarns which
were sold exclusively through retailers.
1 needle - gift from Gay Lines. But note the stopper on these needles is the same as
that on Semco
Poorly stamped : Made in Mexico "Super smooth points and finish for easy knitting"
see Addi
plastic pack with beige backpeice and clear front printed with work Bamboo, etc.
Skacel web site says they are the US distributors of Addi
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Material
Type
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
Smooth-Point
metal
5xDP
SEW
cc 601 - name on paper packet
Snoball
bakelite
5xDP
Snodrop
Soccosi
So-Rite
rigid plastic
straight
BW
old cream with black stoppers -- "snod9" in faint lettering on shaft.
BW
marked "foreign" . Steel stoppers
Name
made in Germany
steel
straight
metal
straight
4xDP
Special
resin
SP
SPEED-E-KNIT
metal
4xDP
SEW
"made in England" on wrapper (CC 748)
circular
CC696
Photo on hardcopy purchase file. Seller lost this item (!) and then never managed to
send a refund. Patent No on the packaging was 01286125; internet records date this
to 26/11/1918
SEW
paper wrapper includes text in French and Spanish. (purchased from Rhhonda Barrett)
or Sorite
Speedstitch
Speedwell
seller says the
yellow pins are
Speedwell -- note
the label and the
metal clasp.
UK
resid
SP
Sphinx
steel
4xDP
Spinnerin
Stancraft
resin
straight
green shaft, white stopper
4xdp
Cardboard cased packet of 4xdp sold as part of an introductory kit. See photo below
Name
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Material
Type
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
Stancarft
Standard
4xDP
Standard
celluloid?
sp
SEW
small oval label on shaft marked 5 in centre and word STANDARD around bottom of
oval -- I think this is a Diadem brand -- see photo and see notes under Diadem.
Hero brand
aluminum
straight
SEW
"Standard USA" printed on stopper.
manufactured by
Kirby, Beard and
Co, Redditch
metal
set
SEW
Very old (celluloid) needles with an oval label on the shaft which says Standard and the
US size. Believe these may be Diadem brand. See Diadem and also entry under
Millimetre.
Standard
Standard
The Standard
Knitting Needle
and Pin Case
Standard
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Material
Type
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
Star
metal
Starine
Steel-tapered
Knitting Needles
Stephens, R.R.
metal
crochet
hook
SP
SEW
CC880
SEW
Stitcherite
Stork
resin
straight
SEW
this is the name on the shaft of a tortiseshell pair.
metal
SP
inch-marked
Name
SEW
CC872
"Star" and "England" on the fingerplate
op shop find - European ?
Manilla packet from USA
KN manufacturer, taken over in 1907 by Morris & Yeoman, Milwards, and William Hall
metal
straight
SEW
CC1117
GL,
Poynter
SEW
Stratnoid
metal
DP
SEW
Stratnoid
metal
crochet
JC
hook
stitch holder GL
name embossed on finger rest. Button stopper on one end.
straight
SEW
name and size embossed on shaft. Dark grey metal wearing off at tips. Or, maybe the
earliest brandname for this firm?
4xdp
SEW
in paper packet (gift from Heike Belker)
plastic
4 x dp
BW
Paper labels marked "Stuttafords Gauge"
annodised
aluminum
metal
straight
SEW
straight
SEW
European. "Suisses" embossed on flattened shaft, with flat stopper extruded from
shaft
made in India, plastic stopper; I have the sleeve only
bamboo
straight
SL
aluminum
straight
SEW
hardcopy photo in file. Australian manufacturer of window furnishings, yarns, and craft
items. www.sullivans.net.
stamped on shaft "SULTANA made in Canada"
metal
crochet
hook
crochet
hook
SP
JC
Sunbeam/England on finger rest
JC
"Sun" embossed in script, then "England" in regular type
Stratnoid
Stratnoid
Stratnoid
Stratton
straight
firm was John
Straton & Son
Could this be
metal
another brandname
for the Stratnoid
firm?
Stratwood
Strumpfstricknadel
n
Stuttafords
Suisses
straight
Sullivans
Sullivans
Sultana
Sultana
Sunbeam
Sunbeam
Sunlight
Super Cristal
needles with Stratnoid on shaft were also made in Sydney by Rainsford. Also metal
shaft with blue resin mitre stopper and blue plastic slip-on label band (CC 737).
set of 4 in a paper packet, which says made in Australia
Sultana was a brand name of Walkers, takne over by Barleets (CB/NN p 134)
"Sun"
metal
plastic
SP
on finger plate
SEW 1019 Name and size written on shaft (Diadem needles also in the group I bought, so I
assume this is quite old.)
SEW
related to Rhodo Cristal ?
Name
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Super Fine
Superfine
Superior
Surina
Susan Bates
Susan Bates
Swallow brand
trading name for
C.J. Bates & Son,
founded in 1873
Circlon
Susan Bates
Material
Type
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
metal
metal
4 x DP
circular
straight
SEW
CC1109
BW
metal
set of 4 DP GL
paper packet with size No. 18
wood
5 x DP
made in India
metal
kit
set of metal needle heads with attachable cables
Packet says "British Empire Product"
small rounded stoppers. Swallow logo appears on packet.
circular
red/white/blu straight
e
crochet
hook
straight
Susan Bates
bone
Susan Bates
Crystalite
Susan Bates
Jeanne Damon
Flower Power
Susan Bates
Luxite
straight
Susan Bates
Flex
flexible shaft
Susan Bates
"No Glare"
SEW CC
1005
resin
WWII "patriotic" needles, well sought after
"fine pored bone - for crochet hooks only" - blurb on wooden SB shop stand
clear, colourful acrylic -- see photo below
straight
"super fine plastic" - advertising blurb on wooden SB shop stand see photo below
stoppers same as Chester
Name
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Material
Type
metal
straight
straight
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
Susan Bates
Susan Bates
Susan Bates
"Quicksilver"
"Silvalume"
Susan Bates
Susan Bates
"Silverado"
straight
nickel plated
Tonewood
straight
"close-grained, high polish hardwood" - blurb on wooden SB shop stand
Another seller wrote : "Yellow paint on capped ends is worn. Some nicks and dings on
both of these needles. There is a nail of some sort holding the yellow caps to the
needle shaft. The "Susan Bates" logo and needle size is printed on each of these
needles. Not sure what wood they are made of."
Susan Bates
Susan Bates
Red/White/Blue
resin
straight
Luxite
resin
4 x DP
SEW
SEW
"special process aluminum" - advertising blurb on wooden SB shop stand. "whisper
smooth"
produced during WWII as a patriotic product
Name
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Susan Bates
Flex
Material
Type
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
flexible
Said to be Luxite
Susan Bates
Susanne's
Martha Stewart
brand
straight
Susanne's
brand name owned resin
by Klass &
Gessmann, made in
Germany
4 x DP
square stoppers
Name
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Material
Type
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
Suss Cousins
Suss is a designer bamboo
in California, who
markets her designs
(inc needles) under
her own name
straight
Swallow Needle
Manufacturing
Company
"Tortoiseshell"
"Pearl"
Timberton
Superfine
Ivore
Marbletone
casein
straight
SEW/ GL
made in Australia. Label says "Swallow needles are made of Australian casein", a
natural dairy product." Needles also come in an assortment of Pearlized colors called
"Pearl."
casein ?
straight
BW
Mottled fawn coloured needles with self-coloured shield shaped stopper with size on
one side..
"Superfine Knitting
Pins"
nickel plated 4 x DP
metal
JD/SEW
Swallow name doesn't appear on packet, but the swallow logo appears
SEW
plastic sleeve includes a cardboard insert with "the Swallow story" -- gift from Gay
Lines
GL/SEW
GL -- Swallow logo on label. SEW -- no logo on label
Swallow Needle
Manufacturing
Company
Swallow Needle
Manufacturing
Company
Swallow Needle
Manufacturing
Company
Swalloid
Swalloid
Balene brand
Swallow brand
metal, also
yellow resin
note brand name on
needle -- very rare -my pair don't have
this, only the label
Swan
bamboo
SP
Asian characters on packet
"The Swan"
resin coated straight 11.5 SEW
metal
in
black egg-shaped stoppers
Swift
resin
Transparent amber coloured needle, matt yellow stopper. "Swift 9" marked in black on
shaft.
straight
BW SEW
cc1545
Name
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Material
Symak
Type
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
sp
SEW
cased set cc 528
SEW
pewter coloured shaft with cream button stopper, embossed on shaft SYMCO Patent
No 185220-21
Symco
resin coated straight
metal
Tabitha
resin
Takumi
Talon America
Target
Target
Tawney
Tayler, D.F., & Co
Thomas Harper &
Son Manufacturer
Redditch
Thornton
straight
Brand name incised on tortoiseshell needles.
"Clover"
bamboo
straight
Japanese brand
Sewing Bee
aluminum
straight
division of Textron
Brandname for
Geoerge Lee &
Sons
made in Turkey
sp
SEW
sleeve reads "packed for Target Australia"
sp
SEW
CC479
British yarn brand. Logo is an arrow in a bullseye. Ref is 1951 Vogue Knitting.
circular SP SEW
CC925
"Dorcas"
4 x DP
see Harper, Thomas metal
4 x DP
steel?
GL
packet only. Merged with Newey Bros around 1932.
around 1900
straight
SEW
Marked USA. Shaft becomes much smaller in diameter below the tip (to save weight?)
Thornton
straight
SEW
Thorpe's
DP
Cream resin coating, round stopper with "Thornton's English made" on shaft and US
size on top of the stopper (409)
"Thorpe's Steel Knitting Pins with taper points".A very knowledgable friend,who
specializes in vintage sewing items told me they date back to the 1870s.The box
contains 55 pins of assorted sizes.Originally the box held one gross,and was probably
the shop-keepers box.
Name
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Material
Type
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
Thorpe's
Three Bees
Tiffany
Tightgrip
Tigre
Torta Shell
metal
Quicknit brand
resin
Tower
Tootal
Tootal
Abel Morrall brand
Tootal
Trendsetter
Tric
Tulip
Tweezi
Twilleys
SEW CC
1104
made in Canada - maybe this brand was owned by the Perfecto people. Very similar
paper labels and use of word "Reliable"
straight
BW/SEW
sp
SEW
SP
SEW
Op shop find - very old-fashioned typeface on Quicknit paper wrapper, and Torta Shell
inscribed on shafts
straight
SEW
4xdp
SEW CC
742
SEW
Several versions -- one has shaft marked Tower No. 1. Another has a "birdseye" style
stopper, another has a self-coloured stopper.
Paper packet says "Warranted by Morris & Yoemans Ltd" Also a logo includes CWSL
American jeweller/retailer selling branded KN in a leatherette case
Tower
Turn of the Century
4xdp SP
cc998
French ? Cc 471
resin
straight
metal
straight
Coats brand
resin
SEW
CC1170
wood
4 x DP,
circular
SP
Inox brand ?
annodised
straight
SEW
Stopper extruded from shaft.
bamboo
circular
straight
wood
straight
SEW
If you are interested in rosewood, you cannot beat the needles from Turn od the
Century. They are each hand turned by the owner (his name is Bill and great to deal
with). The needles are not only lovely but very functional, and tougher than they look. I
have several sets and have another set along with another pen/pencil set on order.
They usually get here quick. Made in USA
made in England, inch-marked. Cc 553
straight
CC 736
Packet includes manufacturer name : Australian Thread Pty Ltd, 125 Station Road,
Seven Hills, NSW, Australia English Sewing (Sales) Ltd. Auckland New Zealand Made
in India (!) Other packets say made in Australia
US brand
Stamford is the town in which the company was located in the 1970's. Mainly a yarn
supplier
Name
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Material
Type
Twilley's
Wizpin
wood
straight
Twinco
Twinco
Stratnoid brand
resin
straight
metal
DP
Stratnoid brand
Unico
Unique
holder
box to hold needles
SEW
self-colour hexagonal stopper with size on both sides. Also mitre-shaped stopper (CC
737).
manila paper packet of sock needles from US, but English sizing on packet
straight
Universal
sold in wooden tube metal
markedon label "The
Universal Knitting
Pins Full Set No.
xxx"
Universal
metal
Universal Knitting
Pins
coated metal 4 x DP
4 x DP
SEW
cc594
circular,
hinged
SEW CC
738
Universal Needle,
The
UTH
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
"Enamella"
aluminum
and enamel
straight
SEW
sold in plastic sleeve marked on one side of cardboard flap "Knitting Pins" and on
reverse "Universal wholesalers 9 Fairfield 2165
SEW
Paper packet with yellow label -- not actually sure if this packet is for knitting needles
as it has a large hook in it !
SEW ?
Made in France -- I bought in several pair in Yarragon with coloured shaft and
aluminum tip and a plastic stopper.
Name
Brand Names,
Other
Relationships
Owner/
Contrib Comments
utr
Material
Type
Varimp
VB&H
VEB
metal
SP
SEW
marked France on shaft cc 552
4xdp
SEW
CC929
Paper packet says VEB Automatik
Venus
metal
Vicars
Vicars
crochet
hook
dp
resin
4xdp
straight
Vicars
Ivy
resin
SP
Vicars
Caliban
nickel
circular
metal
4xDP
plastic
SP
Victory
Victory Brand
Villawool
Vivacolour
Czech -- see photo on hard disk
England
London haberdashery firm (refer Sheila Williams)
SEW CC
916, 1137
SEW
Poynter
DP are inscribed Vicars in the centre of the shaft; SP inscribed near stopper (CC 753)
Spherical stopper cc 998
GL
Giant Jiffy Pins
SEW
$6
SEW
similar ovoid stoppers with pointy end to the Rhodo varieties. Came in a "Frenchstyle" stitched wool case.
Trade name of Williams Hollins of Nottingham
Viyella
Depose label on the plastic
straight
holder
coated metal
straight
Vogue
current manufacture plastic
SP
Vulcanite
Abel Morral
trademark
resin
SP
metal
straight
SEW
mitre-shaped resin stopper
4xdp
SEW
CC929
gift from Heike Belter
"W"
Wakefield,
Greenwood & Co.
(Huddersfield). Ltd.
Waldorf
Walldorf/Werra
SEW
CC567,
tradename is WG
children's needles