I know, I know, I'm dense when it comes to this rooting deal. I've been watching you all say over the past year, try different needles if you're not getting good results with what you're using.
If you've seen my pix in Showcase in WIP, you'll know what I'm talking about. I WISH that I'd used these needles to start with, then I might not have hated rooting so much.
I'm not gonna say I'm a pro yet, and I have, by no means, gotten the whole swirl thing down yet, but David Michael's hair is FINALLY starting to please me.
I don't know what kind the needles are, all I know is that they have 6 barbs and came from BnB. They're uncut, and I broke one today, and now only have 3 left. I will need more, I'm sure!!
But please take a look at his pix and let me know what you think!
Don't feel alone when it comes to rooting!! Seems like I can't get it right no matter what I do. I want to get it right SOOOO bad!!! I see all these beautiful dolls on this forum and I wish I could be half as good as these ladies. And they are all so wonderful to try to help and give advice. I'm just not sure either if I'm buying the right size needles to do micro rooting or who has good needles to order from? But I'm not giving up I will gwt this right some day. I've even looked for classes around my area.
I am a bit confused too. What are the right needles? I have no idea what the sizes mean or which size is good for which kind of rooting, much less what the different types of barbs do.
By the right needles, I mean using different ones. I had been using cut needles with a mushroom rooting tool, then I switched to an uncut needle. It has made a huge difference in my rooting, both in ease and appearance, not to mention it's more enjoyable.
The "right" needle for me might not be the right needle for everyone else. You have to try different ones to find what is "right" for you.
The barbs simply mean it will grab more hair, therefore rooting more. I think. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Does that all make sense?
-- Edited by Liselle on Thursday 7th of April 2011 04:06:58 PM
as liselle said what works for me may not be right for you, haveing said that the needles go by gauge the higher the # the smaller the needle. most beginners start out with 38 gauge and 3 to 6 barbs .this needle give you results and usualy doesn't discourage the beginner but it being a bigger needle its gonna leaves a bigger hole in the vinyl and with that many barbs the hair maybe look plugy .the goal of most reborners is one or 2 hairs per hole . i'm currently useing a 46 g needle i realy love it but as a newbie this needle could drive you nuts.you can barely see the hairs at first and they break easily............happy rooting...............sage
-- Edited by sage brush nursery on Friday 8th of April 2011 01:29:53 AM
Whew! Good to know I got the right needles. lol I started rooting today and it is going pretty good so far. I do see what you mean about the holes being a bit large, some of mine look a bit like cradle cap. Now there is realism for you he he.
when you get done rooting dip your head in realy hot water for a couple secs then plung it in a bowl of ice water for a couple of secs this will shrink the holes so they aren't as noticable. needle sizes are 38g , 40g, 42g, 43g, and 46g....................sage
I've gone through so many needles and I'm still looking for that special one lol I just finished rooting with a 40g ultra and I still see plugs! I mean I was very meticulous about getting one strand in at a time and still there looks like there are holes. The perfectionist in me is going INSANE!!! I had the 46g crowns and broke them one by one ping! ping! ping! Don't know what to try next, I tried them all
For me the german forked made bigger holes than the barbed! It was much easier to root using the clover pen but the result wasn't to my liking. Idk.......I hate the holes and I'm beginning to dislike rooting
I think I started out rooting with a 36 guage 6 barb needle. The hair looked really pluggy and I inserted the needle into the head almost straight up instead of angled to the head. This was until I took a class at Secrist factory from Stephanie Sullivan. I now use a 43 guage uncut needle in the mushroom tool handle. I like that one better than the wooden one. I have tried and tried the German forked needle and like most others who haven't gotten the hang of it yet, I get more holes than hairs. But I will perservere and tame the beasty needle one day lol! :D
Ash, with all the help here and the posts you shouldn't be afraid of rooting... it just takes time, practice, and a good dvd :D