Welcome to the River John Needle Company

In 2003 we started manufacturing our distinctive birch wood knitting needles. We produce Double Point ( DPN), Straight and our unique Swing needles, also Crochet Hooks and Cro Hooks.

Our Swing needles were recently featured in UK Knitting and Vogue Knitting magazines.

Our workshop is located on our sheep farm which overlooks the beautiful Northumberland Strait near the village of River John, Nova Scotia.

All of our needles are made from birch wood here on the farm. The distinctive “River John Needle Company” tags attached with our own 100% wool yarn lets you know you have purchased the genuine article.

We are often asked why we use birch? Or indeed wood in general? The answer is that birch has superior tensile strength and is warm to the touch unlike plastic and metal imports. We believe that a natural product like wool deserves to be knit with a natural product. Our needles are light weight but strong. They are smooth without being too slippery. The needles only finish is a fine coating of wax, which also helps to give the needles a bit of grip.

Since making our first set of needles three years ago, our needles can now be found in many prominent yarn stores across North America and Internationally. By purchasing a set of our needles you help to support our rural based business and create employment here at home.