Tortoise shell knitting needles
Tortoise shell is now illegal to sell- and rightly so. Any tortoise shell items must now be described as ‘faux-tortoise shell’ to get around the embargo of selling tortoise shell items. These vintage ‘faux’ tortoise shell knitting needles are much prized by knitters and artists alike and are now very collectable. Knitters like them because they are super flexible and so much easier to work with, and artists refashion the needles into art / jewellery items- see Etsy and Pinterest for examples. Because the material is very pliable, artists use hot water to mould the needles into new shapes/patterns.
I am a knitter myself and love the way the needles work. I’ve been collecting these needles for quite a while now and have amassed a small fortune- email me with what you need and I can send you a comprehensive list of needle sizes/quantities and makers.
re:retro 
Love that jug!
ha! the post was all about the needles…but i’m glad you liked the jug as well!
Heehee, well I loved the needles too!
Wow! I thought, at first, that they were hair sticks! I’d probably use them that way, since I don’t know the first thing about knitting without a round loom. I can crochet a little but I think I’m too impatient. All the information about them was interesting, too. I learned some new things today! Thanks! 🙂
i’ve seen people wear knitting needles as hair pins- so useful and practical! but i’m pleased you learnt something new…glad to be of service.
I love collecting old needles and have hundreds, but none are like these! Where do you find them? X
i find the tortoise shell knitting needles at vintage and second hand shops~ i am a landscape architect by trade and go to site (& vintage shops) every other day- so i can also indulge my retro inclinations.
How fab! I will look out for them! I have every other kind!!!