Old style circular knitting needles

[ABC's Mom]

Hi everyone,
I am looking for the maker of plastic circular needles that were made probably 20 years ago. I found these needles in my long forgotten stash that I used many years ago. These needles are molded as a single piece therefore the the transition from the cord to the needle is the smoothest I've seen yet. These are a white plastic with a slight bend in the needle about an inch from the cord. The gal at the local yarn shop said she recognized the style but couldn't remember the name of the maker. Does something like this even exist any more?
Thanks for your help.

[fatoldladyinpjs]

I have one similar to it that I purchased at a thrift store. I have the original package. Mine is the Hero Nylo-Hoop one piece nylon circular needle. It was manufactured by the Hero Manufacturing Co, Inc. in Middleboro, Mass. It says Patent Applied for Article Number 301. You can probably get more info on this from the US Patent Office online.

I'm not finding out a whole lot about this company. As near as I can figure, this company was in business in the late 1930's. This website has an old vintage Weave It book from them with a date of 1937. I'm guessing the needles were from that time period.

http://www.eloomanation.com/projects.php

Here's a picture of the one like mine. Is this it?
http://knitting-needles.net/2-boye-crochet-hooks-5-8-hero-nylo-hoop-needle/

These needles must have been cutting edge technology. I think this was about the time nylon was invented. Your needles are 80 some years old. Congratulations on a great find!

[mjrekedal]

I have just joined this forum, a crocheter trying my had at knitting, and I'm amazed that I can actually answer! I inherited my mom-in-law's knitting material, including her circular needles. Hers are Susan Bates by C.J. Bates & Co, Chester, Conn. 06412. They look like the photo sent in by fatoldladyinpjs, but are in either pink or steel gray. Hope this helps in your search.

[suzeeq]

Yep, I have a couple of them, I think both are Susan Bates nylon not plastic needles. Boye might also have made them too. You may be able to find some on ebay if you'd like to get more. I agree, they're great needles. Mine are size 13 and 15, I did have 10½s but they kept getting chewed by the cats and would split and splinter. That happened to 2 of them.

[ABC's Mom]

I have one similar to it that I purchased at a thrift store. I have the original package. Mine is the Hero Nylo-Hoop one piece nylon circular needle. It was manufactured by the Hero Manufacturing Co, Inc. in Middleboro, Mass. It says Patent Applied for Article Number 301. You can probably get more info on this from the US Patent Office online.

I'm not finding out a whole lot about this company. As near as I can figure, this company was in business in the late 1930's. This website has an old vintage Weave It book from them with a date of 1937. I'm guessing the needles were from that time period.

http://www.eloomanation.com/projects.php

Here's a picture of the one like mine. Is this it?
http://knitting-needles.net/2-boye-crochet-hooks-5-8-hero-nylo-hoop-needle/

These needles must have been cutting edge technology. I think this was about the time nylon was invented. Your needles are 80 some years old. Congratulations on a great find!


Thanks for your prompt reply. These look like the ones I found in my stash. I'm not sure where they came from, unless I rescued them from my grandmother when she moved to Oregon from MI back in the 80"s. She is the one who originally taught me how to crochet. No mean feat since she was a right hander and I'm a lefty! Mine are a size 10 and I really like them as there is no catching on the cord. I'll keep looking to see if I can find any more of them at estate sales, etc.

[cheley]

Thanks for your prompt reply. These look like the ones I found in my stash. I'm not sure where they came from, unless I rescued them from my grandmother when she moved to Oregon from MI back in the 80"s. She is the one who originally taught me how to crochet. No mean feat since she was a right hander and I'm a lefty! Mine are a size 10 and I really like them as there is no catching on the cord. I'll keep looking to see if I can find any more of them at estate sales, etc. Look at what I have in my stash!!!! Check out the price!!! I think this is what you mean?:hug: Sorry bout the flash, It is a Romaxe Deluxe Nylon Circular mine is a US4 29"...I am pretty sure I found it on Ebay...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5592726786_e802a6eed7_m.jpg

[KatzKnitter]

Try Ebay. I just bought Boye Balenes there, and they've been discontinued for a while.

[flhusker]

I still have some of these and still use them. I bought mine back in the 60s or early 70s and they are Susan Bates. I love them.
Flhusker