Varieties of knitting needles and their choice

Plunging into the world of knitting, it is worth studying what types of knitting needles exist and for what purposes they are intended. Before buying your first tool, you will also have to consider how good the craftsman's skills are and what kind of product he plans to create.

Knitting needles come in three main types.

Straight single needles include long knitting needles, at one end of which there is a small ball or ring that serves as a limiter, and the other end, the working one, is pointed. The point of the rounded part is to prevent the hinges from slipping off.

The length of the needles is between 25 and 40 centimeters. Such tools are used only to create flat, straight fabrics, for example, a rug or scarf, and are considered the most common. They are also suitable for creating individual parts that are later sewn together.

Circular knitting needles make it possible to knit in a circle, that is, they greatly simplify the creation of products such as hats or round rugs. Such varieties are always used in pairs, since straight single tools are connected with a flexible nylon cord or fishing line. The diameter of the spoke is usually between 1.5 and 2 millimeters, and the length with the connecting element is between 40 and 100 centimeters. In principle, circular tools can also be used to create a straight web.

Circular knitting needles are usually classified into detachable and one-piece. Non-detachable ones are a classic model, the elements of which are connected by a connecting piece, and detachable ones allow you to independently design a device from two independent needles, fishing line and plugs. Such a model is very attractive for the master, since he has the ability to select the parameters of the components for himself.

A relatively new variety of circular knitting needles are square tools produced by the brands Addi, Knit Pro and others. Their unusual shape, as well as the presence of small bulges, make the knitting process as comfortable as possible and are especially suitable for craftswomen with diseases of the fingers and joints.

Stocking needles, as the name suggests, designed for knitting stockings, socks, mittens and other cylindrical products with a small diameter... They are also often referred to as direct bilateral. These short instruments with two tapered ends always have no stops and are between 15 and 25 centimeters long. They are sold, as a rule, in 4-5 pieces per set. Hosiery knitting needles can have a round or square cross-section, and it is the second type, according to the manufacturers, that allows you to form even loops and thereby simplify the process.

The auxiliary knitting needles stand apart... This type of instrument allows you to reproduce complex compositions by changing the sequence of loops in patterns, or to weave small details into the overall canvas. Assistive devices can be quite outlandish in shape. Most often we are talking about a short double-sided tool with a bend in its middle. In the world of knitters, thick knitting needles made of plastic or wood are also known. They are used to create large objects, as well as creations using the broomstick technique.

Knitting needles are made from different materials, and by the type of coating they are divided into teflon and plastic. The most versatile are metal: they are distinguished by their strength, long service life and ease of use. Long aluminum needles bend easily and slide strongly, and therefore are not suitable for everyone. Another disadvantage is dyeing light yarn with oxides in the case of a poor-quality sample.

Wooden and bamboo knitting needles are always sold carefully polished and varnished so that knots and hooks do not damage the material. They are environmentally friendly, inexpensive and easy to use, but over time they can oily or stain your hands. The disadvantage of this material can also be called fragility. Acrylic and plastic tools are a cheap and affordable product, but they bend easily and break rapidly... In contrast, carbon needles are more durable and lighter than metal. The velvety surface makes the workflow especially enjoyable, but you still have to pay for the pleasure.

Good knitting needles can be found in the assortment of many manufacturers. Perhaps the most famous of these is Addi (Germany), which has existed since 1829... High-quality products, packed in a special organizer and not deforming during use, receive extremely positive reviews from knitters from all over the world. Their advantages include the presence of sharp ends and soft fishing line in the case of circular models.

The products of the Indian brand Knit Pro belong to the middle price segment. Its assortment includes not only hosiery and circular models, but also sets of removable knitting needles.Smooth tools with sharpened tips fit perfectly in your hand.

Products from Chiaogoo long ago won the trust of not only European, but also Russian craftswomen. The base of the needles is made of durable surgical steel, and the flexible cables are renowned for their excellent wear resistance.

Assortment of the German brand Prym It is rich in models in different designs and materials, as well as auxiliary accessories: interchangeable fishing lines, a threader with illumination or a magnetic pincushion.

Japanese Tulip uses only natural bamboo as a basis for tools. A feature of the product is the presence of a movable line at the bases of the needles, which can rotate 180 degrees.

Judging by the reviews, the brand Lykke creates the most comfortable tools made of wood that do not cling to the material, do not splinter or rub fingers. Removable knitting needles made of birch can be either shortened straight or circular.

It is realistic to determine the size of the knitting needle at home if you know how to navigate the numbers and download the corresponding table. As a rule, the number indicated on the tool corresponds to its diameter. This way, # 2 can be found on a 2mm needle. To find out the required tool number yourself, you can also fold the thread in half, twist and fix the thickness of the resulting bundle.

In general, it is customary to choose the diameter of the needles in such a way that the ratio with the thickness of the yarn looks like 2: 1. However, it should be remembered that working with thick yarn with thin knitting needles leads to the formation of a dense fabric, and the interaction of larger diameter knitting needles and thin threads leads to loose and openwork fabric... In addition, it is necessary that the length of the needles correspond to the dimensions of the product being created. So, the wider the blade, the longer the tool will be required.

There are several factors to consider to choose the right knitting needles. For example, you will need to choose the right tool for the yarn: plastic devices are suitable for fluffy and soft threads, and aluminum ones can work with material in dark shades. Fine steel knitting needles are ideal for tight knits, while round knitting needles are ideal for oversized, seamless knits.

Metal models are recommended for knitters who prefer fast or very smooth movements, while bamboo models are ideal for relaxed work. Wooden ones are also more suitable for beginner knitters and people with allergies to a number of metals or alloys.

Whichever model is preferred, it is imperative to make sure that the elongated needles have the required smoothness and are free from chipping, and that their tips are moderately pointed. It is much more difficult to get into the loops with blunt knitting needles, which slows down the whole process, and sharp knitting needles often injure fingers or even tear the yarn. However, the pointed end is useful for working with mohair or fine yarn, and the blunt end for creating a bouclie or cord from thick bundles. Beautiful openwork patterns will be obtained thanks to models with an elongated tip.