About Knitting Needles

Puzzled about knitting needles? No need to be. There are several different types for different types of projects. If you are a beginner I would recommend Bamboo straight needles. Clover are very nice. Bamboo has a bit of a tooth to them and since beginners are usually most concerned about their stitches flying off of the needles as they are knitting, this tooth gives them an advantage.

Circular needles are the next big step. Some students begin with circulars but I have found them to have their challenges. They can sometimes become a little cumbersome when you already feel like you are knitting with your toes. Some circular needles, like Inox, are really slick, the yarn doesn't drag on them making it easier to knit faster, these are the kind that I and many avid knitters use. But circulars are definitely the needles to use when you are feeling confident with your knit and purls. I use them exclusively.  They are the only way to go when your are knitting in the round. Hats, body of sweaters, mittens and socks are impossible to knit without circulars, unless you use double pointed needles.

Which is where we end up. Double pointed needles are just the way they sound, they are pointed at both ends. Confusing? Sorry about that. But figure that you are ready to knit socks, you have to cast on 40 sts. 10 go onto one needle, 10 go onto the 2nd needle and so forth, then you join the first stitch to the last stitch cast one to make a circle and use the fifth one to knit. (or you cheat like me and use a 12" circular needle or 2 larger circular needles.) When using double pointed needles it is again better to use a toothy needle so that the stitches don't slide off the ends while you are knitting. Click here to see what I mean.

So there you are. Start out on the easy ones and then go from there. I have one size each of double pointed needles, circular 12", 24" and 47" in my favorite needle.

The size of your needle depends on the pattern or just yarn size. For instance if you are knitting really small yarn, lace weight yarn, your needles are mostly going to be small. 000-3 or so.

For a full list of correct needle size for yarn size click here.

As far as length, with the basic projects, I would start a student out with a 9 or 10" straight. Some people knit as their ancestors did, they put a needle under their arm or between their legs these are the 14" needle people. Knit that way if you feel you have to. I won't laugh I promise (snicker). It's not really how you knit that is important.

Here is a needle length guide
(In my humble opinion of course)

• 16" circular is what I use for hats, sleeves, baby clothes and such

• 24" is the right size for sweater bodies in the round, bags and other things like that. Or if not knitting in the round these are a basic length for most things. The cable connecting the needles are not too long as to be cumbersome but just long enough to be comfortable.

• 29-36" Sometimes this length is nice for wider projects.

• 47" This is the only comfortable size for large afghans.

I will try to mention which needle size to use in the patterns. If you need info please email me and I will get the right size needle to you for your project.

Some circular needles, like Inox, are really slick, the yarn doesn't drag on them making it easier to knit faster, these are the kind that I and many avid knitters use. They are the only way to go when your are knitting in the round. Hats, body of sweaters, mittens and socks are impossible to knit without circulars, unless you use double pointed needles.

Here is my needle length guide

• 16" circular is what I use for hats, sleeves, baby clothes and such

• 24" is the right size for sweater bodies in the round, bags and other things like that. Or if not knitting in the round these are a basic length for most things. The cable connecting the needles are not too long as to be cumbersome but just long enough to be comfortable.

• 29-36" Sometimes this length is nice for wider projects.

• 47" This is the only comfortable size for large afghans.

I will try to mention which needle size to use in the patterns. If you need info please email me and I will get the right size needle to you for your project.

Great link for learning circular knitting http://www.az.com/~andrade/knit/circular.html