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Ballpoint Double / Twin Needle for Knits?
akchick11 Member since 6/8/12 Posts: 1	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/4/12 3:07 PM hello all, i am having a very difficult time finding BALLPOINT twin needles in stores - even online is fairly difficult! so it makes me wonder what people are sewing their knits with - just universal twin needles? why are they so hard to find? is a ballpoint absolutely necessary? thanks in advance! erica
SheBear0320   Advanced MB CANADA Member since 4/8/08 Posts: 2793	Login to reply to this post In reply to akchick11 << Like this post Date: 10/4/12 3:40 PM The ones I use on knits are Schmetz Stretch Twin Needles (130/705H-S) in both the 2.5/75 and 4.0/75 sizes. HTH ------ Sheila "sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet" 2012/2013 Stash Busting Sew-Along: 27.25 yards sewn (as of 05/15/13) 21.75 yards purchased (as of 05/15/13)
Marie367   Intermediate OH USA Member since 5/28/11 Posts: 1370	Login to reply to this post In reply to akchick11 << Like this post Date: 10/4/12 3:46 PM I buy Schemtz Stretch twin at JoAnn's or Hancocks when they are on sale. The stores that I shop at sometimes do not have them in stock so when I find them, I buy them. Amazon sells them too as I am sure many other online merchants.
PattyE   Intermediate MI Member since 9/7/10 Posts: 652	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/4/12 4:34 PM I don't use a twin needle on my knits. I get the stretch or ballpoint needles at Joanns.
hazelnut   Beginner USA Member since 1/7/09 Posts: 2286	Login to reply to this post In reply to akchick11 << 1 member likes this. Date: 10/4/12 5:17 PM I used the Schmetz "stretch" twins on my knits too. Prior to using them I experienced skipped stitches on stretchy knits. I've purchased mine at Joanns. I would think a good SM store might carry them too.
LauraTS   Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 7/10/06 Posts: 1956	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/4/12 6:45 PM Yes, the stretch twins are hard to find. Before I knew the difference I used the regular twins and some of the time it turned out fine. It depends on your knit and whether you're reinforcing your hems, and to a certain extent on your machine and how fussy it is. I prefer to buy the stretch twins when I can find them because it generally gives a better result. ------ I've moved! Visit my new sewing blog at http://chiralcraft.wordpress.com Do you sew from KnipMode? Join us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/knipmode_english/
minggiddylooloo   Intermediate VA USA Member since 5/17/05 Posts: 1794	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/4/12 8:52 PM Try Cleaner's Supply. NAYY, just love their products, prices, and customer service. ------ I'm finally a blogger! sewming.blogspot.com
Elona   Advanced CA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 7402	Login to reply to this post In reply to akchick11 << Like this post Date: 10/4/12 9:10 PM You know, I gave up on ballpoint needles a long time ago, reason being that the idea just didn't seem rational to me: What, the fabric sees that ballpoint coming, recognizes it, and shrinks away just in time, causing the needle to fall into a space between fibers? Not likely. For almost all knits, I just use a Schmetz 'stretch' needle now. This is a great invention, because the shape of the 'scarf' is a tad different, giving the hook more of an opportunity to catch the thread.
Judy Kski   Intermediate FL USA Member since 10/26/08 Posts: 1018	Login to reply to this post In reply to Elona << Like this post Date: 10/5/12 0:33 AM Elona-You're providing information about the Schmetz needle as it pertains to a serger. The serger looper gets the extra millisecond of time to form the loops due to the slightly longer scarf at the back of the needle (i.e. ELx705 overlock needle). This is especially critical for coverstitching where a lot of folks have problems with skipped stitches. That tiny bit of extra time gives that looper an opportunity to do its' thing so there are no skipped stitches. Rational or not, that is what a ballpoint needle is designed to do, parts the fibers it is passing through. They've been out there for a long time and they do the job. That is why manufacturers keep selling them. ------ Judy
Elona   Advanced CA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 7402	Login to reply to this post In reply to Judy Kski << Like this post Date: 10/5/12 1:55 AM Quote: -You're providing information about the Schmetz needle as it pertains to a serger. Actually, no. Whereas some sergers do indeed require needles with a special length, many--such as my Babylock Imagine--accept ordinary sewing machine needles like the Schmetz Stretch, and the rationale for better stitch formation when piercing stretch fabrics is the same as it is with an ordinary sewing machine, even though loopers provide the overlocking part of the process. As for the widespread and oft-repeated (the same words are used in almost every description) notion that a ballpoint needle somehow slides between fibers rather than punching through them, I can find no scientific evidence--none whatsoever--that it actually works. There does not even seem to be a patent for the design, for that matter. If you have ever seen anything solid that documents it, maybe a patent description, perhaps film demonstrating visually that it really occurs, I would actually be stunned to learn about it. But so far, I have never seen any evidence that it is anything but a marketing ploy

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