Needle gauge prototypes!

Suzie Blackman
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
10 comments

I have a little project to share that bore fruit just before my accident – a knitting needle gauge I designed. Frustrated with the ones I own either being too big to carry around or not having all the sizes I need I designed my own some time ago, but it was too expensive to put into production because of the cost of laser cutting. However, I’ve now found an affordable solution so my needle gauge became a reality in August when these prototypes were delivered.

Needle gauge prototypes

My needle gauge is credit card sized, has all metric sizes from 2-12mm, a 5cm rule and a 2 inch rule. I think I will add a WPI gauge to the final design as well. They will most likely be available in 2mm clear acrylic but I may get a thicker version

I’d appreciate some help with my market research if you wouldn’t mind!

  • Would you buy one?
  • How much would you pay?
  • Am I missing anything?
If you would like to be one of the first to receive one, please let me know and I’ll give you first option when they’re ready.

The author

Suzie Blackman

The dyer, designer, photographer, creative technologist and maker-of-things behind It's a Stitch Up. She lives in East London in a home filled with colour, fluff and house plants.

10 comments

  1. yoel says:

    Ooh ooh, I would buy one! But only if it were credit-card thickness too. Many people use Altoids tins for portable knitting kits, so it would fit into one of those. I would definitely get the see-through kind–better for checking gauge. On that note, a 2″/5″ cut-out for checking WPI and gauge would be helpful (maybe just below where the ruler markings are). Also, a hole in the corner for people who want to keep it on a binder ring, or on their needles like a stitch marker, would be very handy. A divot on one of the sides (don’t know if this is possible) that is sharp enough to cut yarn, would be awesome.

    I would pay between 3 and 8 US$. A multicolored set (one for every project!) would be very tempting.

    • Suzie says:

      Thanks for all your feedback Yoel!

      I have been thinking about the thickness of the material as well. Some of my prototypes are 1mm acrylic which is really slim but doesn’t allow for such accurate cutting, with 0.25mm graduations this was a big deal! Effectively, the thicker the material, the easier it is to use as a needle gauge. It was also a bit brittle and with most of the cost being in cutting, rather than material, I want to make sure people are paying for something that wont snap if they sit on it!

  2. Jessica says:

    I would buy one and would pay £5 at the maximum. If they were cheaper or you could do a “3 for 2” deal or similar then I’d be more likely to buy for friends too

    As Yoel said, a hole in in the corner so people can clip it on a keyring/lanyard etc. would add a bit more flexibility

  3. Elizabeth says:

    I would pay $4 and I would like to buy a few when they are ready. I am constantly losing the ones I own.

  4. gillian says:

    This is an excellent resource. I occasionaly visit car boot sales and thrift shops for knitting needles and as most of the needles are old and in imperial measurements, this guage would prove invaluable.

    Hope this helps with your market research.

  5. klamondin says:

    I would buy one if it could also be used for 7mm and 7.5mm needles. Most metric needle gauges on the web goes from 6.5mm to 8mm which is really annoying.
    Nice colours would be a good addition too. Good luck !

    • Suzie says:

      Thanks for your feedback, I will add 7.5mm (already have 7mm) – that’s a great suggestion. I’m going to get the final ones cut pretty soon, one of the sizes is a tiny bit off so I need to fix that.

  6. Ann Hannigan says:

    Are these avaiable now? I would love to buy 2 or 3. Merry Christmas!
    AnnH

  7. Barbara L says:

    I’m interested! The ones I find are also too big. I’d be willing to pay up to $5.00 including shipping. I would also be very interested in a 3 for 2 or buy x get 1 free deal. I know my friends would like this as well. I hope you are able to realize your dream.
    Hugs,
    Barbara L.

  8. LORI says:

    I would buy one. I like the mint green. Please let me know if these become available.

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