Knitting is one of the few hobbies that require very little equipment. If you have a ball of yarn and a couple of knitting needles, you are in business. It is true there are other items that can be used, but the basics are yarn and needles. To have the greatest enjoyment and relaxation from knitting you need to choose the best equipment. This article will give you a few tips on picking the knitting needles that are right for you.
Tip # 1: Pick a set of needles that are right for the project you want to knit. The three main types of needles are straight, single-point; straight, double-point; and circular.
1. Straight, single-point needles - have a point at one end and a cap, marked with the needle size, at the other. Straight needles are used for back-and-forth flat knitting and are the needles that most beginners start knitting with. Scarves, vests, shawls, afghans and most sweaters are knitted on straight needles. Needles come in different lengths, so choose a set that is long enough to comfortably hold the amount of stitches needed for the project.
2. Double pointed needles - If you want to knit mittens, gloves or socks, you should look for double pointed needles. They come in sets of four and are used for seamless knitting. Double pointed needles are also used for finishing garments such as at the neckline of a sweater.
3. Circular knitting needles - are very versatile and can be used for both flat knitting and knitting in the round. They consist of two straight needles connected with a flexible plastic cord. Circular needles are good for hats, skirts, coats, sweaters and dresses. The shorter lengths may be used for sleeves and round neck ribbing. Afghans are much easier to knit on circular needles because the large number of stitches needed fit better on the longer circular needles than on straight needles.
Tip # 2: Pick needles that are appropriate for the yarn you are using for your project.
As a general rule (not hard and fast) thicker yarns are worked on larger needles and smaller needles are used for thinner yarn. Needles are numbered according to the thickness of the needle. For American needles, the higher the number, the thicker the needle and vary in size from 0 up to 50. As you can guess, the larger needles make larger stitches and the smaller needles make smaller stitches. Check your yarn label because the needle size is usually recommended.
A smoother needle is better for yarn with a lot of texture and the opposite for a smoother yarn. Needles with more grip are advisable for smoother yarn. When you are buying knitting needles, think about the yarn you are going to use and choose those that are best for that yarn. Also, remember that a thicker yarn will require a longer needle in order for the stitches to fit best on the needle.
Tip # 3: Pick knitting needles that feel good in your hands
For years the only materials used for knitting needles were plastic, metal and wood. In recent years bamboo has arrived on the scene. Personal preference is the greatest factor in choosing needle material but the following factors will influence your choice.
*Metal
If your hands feel better with a firm, rigid needle, than aluminum is the choice for you. Needles are also made of steel and nickel-plate. More experienced knitters often prefer the feel of metal and the stitches move more quickly on the smooth surface. Metal needles are heaver, stronger and do not bend easily.
*Plastic
A few years ago, plastic needles were the choice of most knitters. They are smooth and very flexible. Beginners often find that plastic is easier to manage. The stitches do not slip as easily with plastic which is helpful to beginners who often have a problem of the stitches slipping off the needles made of metal.
*Wood
An esthetically pleasing material for knitting needles is highly polished hard wood. They are smooth, but not slippery so a good choice for beginning knitters. One difficulty is that wooden needles are prone to breaking when used in small sizes.
*Bamboo
Needles that are usually lighter than aluminum, yet strong are the newer bamboo needles. These tend to feel warm to the touch, which might make them preferable to arthritic hands. Bamboo needles are not quite as smooth as those made of other materials so the stitches stay in place. They may be a wise choice for the beginning knitter. Needles made of bamboo are more flexible than metal but not as much as plastic. Again, with needles in the smaller sizes, they break or bend more easily.
*Square
This is a new type of needle that I have not tried. They are said to be good for knitters with stiff joints, arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, because they are designed to be an ergonomically better fit for the hands. Tension on the hands is not as great for maintaining position and they reportedly give a more consistent stitch. The Kollage's square knitting needles are handmade in Vietnam from the hardwood called Forest Palm.
It is true that having a good set of knitting needles will not automatically result in you becoming a perfect knitter. However, if you have needles that are too rigid, too heavy or too pliable, your finished work will show it. If your needles have sharp points that hurt your fingers or the points are blunt and split the yarn, knitting will become a chore and you will not enjoy your hobby. Using these tips, go out knitting needle shopping and bring home a new set that will bring smiles to your face again.