I use bamboo skewers also. They are inexpensive and if you happen to hit it with a needle, it doesn't break the needle and you can just throw the skewer away. Just a word of warning, watch out for bamboo splinters. Those fine little buggers can be nasty. I also use disposable scalpels for seam rippers. I get them at a local surgical supply store that sells to the public. They are very inexpensive andf when they get dull just throw them away, or sharpen them a bit with an emory board. Caution: they are a scalpel, thus VERY sharp.