This article has been planned for a long time but ... I forgot ... 😥😥 It is therefore time to address the other hot topic when knitting: needles. We tackled the subject of wool: its quality, its structure, its weight, the name we give to the different formats ... It is possible to knit without needles but it is finger-knitting or arm-knitting and the projects are quite limited ...
Again, there is a frightening amount of needles: they are straight, wooden, bamboo, metal or aluminum, with a more or less long cable for knitting in the round, with the magic loop or even with 2 points in set of 5 ; 4 or only 3 needles 😵😵 ... In short, it's time to put everything flat to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each.
The first thing to know about needles is that their size is defined by the diameter of the needle. It can range from 2mm for working fine and lace threads to 25mm (2.5cm) or even more for chunky, jumbo and other threads.
For some reasons that I don't know, in the US they came up with their own system :
Normally, the diameter of the needles is written on it. But it can happen that it disappears, it is then possible to use needle gauges. When needles are sold as a kit, the gauge is part of the kit. I found this beautiful little sheep last year at the Salon du Fil in La Valette du Var (#naayacolletion).
The needles
Straight Needles
They are the best known and easiest to get, no matter what every yarn store or shoud have them. Their lengths (from 30 to 60 cm) will allow you to work more or less stitches and to work any project called "flat". A rectangular scarf, shawl, sweater or cardigan with seams.
The advantage of these needles is that the stitches will not slip since the needles have a closed end. They are also easy to find and often very inexpensive.
However, I find that they are more disadvantages than advantages
Their length makes them bulky and difficult to handle since they will knock on the arms.
The number of stitches is limited (especially for shawls). When there are too many stitches, the project is packed along the needle, the stitches are then tight and it is possible to miss them or they willby themselves from the needle ... This problem can be solved by having several pairs of the same size but different lengths, but that takes up space ...
The larger the size, the less it is possible to cast-on stitches. Who says large needles (7 to 25mm) says thick thread, it will take up more space on your needles and therefore it will be more difficult to make large projects.
The whole weight of your project is on these 2 needles. When you work your project, it ends up on your hands and shoulders. Some pain may appear.
Double Pointed Needle - #DPN
They are ideal for smaller projects that work in the "round". Beanies, socks, gloves, mittens or sleeves can be knitted with these needles.
These needles are sold in sets of 5: 4 needles carry the stitches and knitting is carried out thanks to the 5th.
It is also possible to have 3 needles carrying the stitches and to knit with the 4th, it all depends on the total number of stitches.
This number must be low (~ 20 stitches per needle), otherwise the stitches will necessarily slip from the needles since nothing retains them at the ends.
It is important to understand the positioning of the needles between them so that neither the needles nor the stitches slip while knitting elsewhere and there is not too much stitches on them.
The junction between 2 needles is also critical because the "ladder effect" may appear. It is during the passage from one needle to the other, there will be a space between the last stitch of the needle and the first stitch of the next needle (this can also happen with circular needles and the magic loop*).
* the magic loop is used to knit in the round but when the number of stitches is not sufficient to cover the entire length of the cable (for example a pair of socks). We take advantage of the long cable to divide the circumference of the sock in 2 and knit half of the round one at the time.
This problem can be avoided by tightening the first stitch well, by moving every 5 to 6 rows the place of the junction (if you do this, remember to use a marker to identify your start of turn) or the experiment and the habit will make it go away.
But also with the newcomers from Addi: Addi Crazy Trio flexible sock needles.
I have not yet had the chance to test them 🙁 but if the opportunity arises I would not hesitate to update this article).
From what I read, this kit of 3 needles with a flexible cable in the center allows you to knit in the round of small projects (socks, gloves, sleeves ...). The stitches are placed on 2 needles and they are knitted with the 3rd. This system avoids you the magic loop since all your stitches form a loop without interruption. Apparently, many knitters complain of needles that are too short and therefore of hand pain.
Circular needles
Those are 2 needles connected by a cable (plastic, rubber or metal) whose length is measured from one end of the needle to the other (and not from the beginning of the cable) and allow knitting flat and / or in the round!
They are more expensive than straight or DPN lines but are more practical because they are versatile.
You can knit back and forth, at the end of your row simply turns your work and starts again where your thread is.
You can knit in the round, you will always see the right side of your knitting and will create a very (very, very long spiral). A bit like round crochet.
The cables can measure from 30 to 150 cm, these different lengths (fixed or removable for interchangeable sets) allow working on projects of all sizes with large variations in stitche number.
All these stitches and all the weight of your knitting rest on the cable. The only weight you carry is the one from the stitches you're currently working and the rows/rounds previously knitted.
The length of the needles (only the needles) makes them easy to hold becausee they perfectly fit in thehand (10 to 15cm - I think). And when you knit, they will not hit your forearms nor your elbows.
You can take them everywhere with you, without losing the stitches 😉😉
For all the reasons mentioned above and for having tested (👩🔬 #sciences) different products, I find the most practical circular needles.
There are 2 cons to these needles.
The first will be to get used to knitting with, especially if you have always knitted with straight needles. Some stuck the straight needles along their ribs which is not possible in the case of circular needles.
So you will need to be patient with yourself if you want to use circular needles.
The second is linked to cables.
Manufacturers make different choices about the quality and flexibility of the cables. The cables are sold wound, if they are not flexible enough they keep "in mind*" the rounded shape. They can then become cumbersome when knitting since they will necessarily be placed where we knit ... Inevitably this difference in quality is felt on the price of the needle or kit.
*The plastic has a "shape memory"
On the photo below and from left to right I present you different circular needles and their cables, in all cases, I removed them from the storage pockets, gave them a little stretch and I put them on the ground for the photo.
The one on the left (purple) are made of bamboo, the cable is quite flexible but the yarnreally don't slide well over it ... I use them to put stitches on hold or during knitting lessons. They are bad quality and inexpensive. I bought them for my knitting classes, because the yarn doesn't slide, student are more confortable knitting.
The black cable of the gray needles (I have used these needles very little) is too short to use the magic loop technique and very stiff...
The gray with the transparent cable is quite long but is not very flexible. Likewise with the purple cable from Knit Pro. There are keeping teh round shape from their pockets.
The last cable is from Chiaogoo. As you can see, it's the only one that stays (almost) straight. It's the only kit I have whose cable has no shape memory!
Earlier, I talked about the "ladder" effect when knitting with circular needles and the magic loop*. This problem can also be avoided by using mini needles.
These needles have a short cable (5 and 6") and equally short needles (2 and 3").
The English knitting method (thread in the right hand and the whole right hand or the right index finger that wrap the thread) did not work at all for me ... The needles being so small I can only hold them with 2 or 3 fingers unlike longer needles where I use all my fingers ... (in this video, I show you how I hold my regular sized circular needles).
So I learned continental knitting (yarn in the left hand very close to knitting stitches and it is only the index finger that winds yarn) that I am very far from mastering. I think I would test the Portuguese method for the next pair of socks. Anyway, these needles can knit in the round fairly quickly since we do not waste time moving the stitches as in the magic loop.
Finally with the circular needles, they are also available as an interchangeable kit. They can contain ten pairs of needles (mostly from US2 to 13 or 15) and cables of different lengths. The advantage of these kits and that you have on hand many sizes and the cables that go with it. Buying all sizes and cables individually is much more expensive.
These kits are interesting if you are very versatile in your yarn' weight and projects on which you work. Which will allow you to make your purchase profitable.
The different cable lengths allow you to knit several projects at the same time but also to use them in one project. Let's say a round sweater, you can use the extra cables to put the sleeve stitches on hold 😉.
As always, nothing prevents you from completing your kit with the needle sizes that you use the most, same for cables.
Among the cons is the fact that the different brands have created different junctions which do not allow the needles of a brand X to be coupled with the needle cables Y.
Also be careful if you knit often with the same needle size or have little amplitude. Maybe you will never use the very small or very large sizes.
In writing this article, I realize that I knit a lot with needles and fine threads: 2.75mm for socks to 5mm. Suddenly the sizes beyond 5mm are little used...
Sharp Needles
This is not a point that we often think about, but it is important especially when a project is knitted with thin needles (like socks), when increases are necessary or the stitches are knitted to create cables.
Pointed needles will have a big difference in your knitting comfort. It will be easier for you to insert the tip of your needle in your stitches without splitting your thread, to pick up stitches, to insert in the back loop or to make any type of increase ... You will be able to do it at the first tryyour knitting will be that much faster.
If your needles are not sharp, you will prick 3; 4 or 5 times before reaching your goal, it will be systematic and it will drive ou crazy.
The 3 photos below have different needle sizes, US10 3/4; US7 / US2.
In the case of the US 10 3/4 needles (left picture), it is certain that I will have greater difficulties in being quick and efficient with the pink needles than that with the beige tip that are way sharper. For the US2 (right picture), I would be faster with the metallic needles than the bamboo one.
What about the central needle? It is not sharp and has a hollow, how is it possible that it is so practical?
These are circular Prym Ergonomic needles. These needles have a teardrop-shaped tip which allows you to correctly stall the ready-to-work stitch and knit it without it slipping out the needle. The second advantage of the hollow and that it is easy for you to insert your second needle into the stitch. The stitch naturally has the required size since the rest of the needle has the right diameter so when the stitch being worked is in the hollow, there is room in this stitch to slip your needle into.
Other useful needles
There are also cable needles. These needles allow you to put certain stitches on hold in order to create crossovers and twists!
There are also stitch holder. They are used to put a large number of stitches on hold for longer. It is practical to put the sleeve stitches on hold when knitting a sweater or cardigan worked in the round.
And finally the tapestry needles, these needles are used to tuck the threads cleanly when knitting is finished. You could also use hooks.
The materials
Because simplicity is bad for the capitalism, it is necessary that in addition to the 5 types of needles of 16 different sizes there must be different materials available !!
There are needles made of metal, bamboo, precious wood (rosewood for example ...), aluminum, plastic and probably so on. Obviously, just as it is convenient to have different types of knitting needles, so are different materials.
Metal and Aluminum
The pros of metal or aluminum needles is that they are more solid than wooden or bamboo needles. They allow you to knit faster, the surface of the needles being very smooth and without snags the stitches slide on their own no matter what kind of yarn you're using.
The cons is that they can be heavy. The feeling is less important for fine needles (from US2 to US 6 or 7), because they are "full"*. Between the weight of the needles, the potential thicker yarn and the size of the project (lot ofstitches or a long length) it will make the project uncomfortable to work with. Hence the interest of possibly investing in circulars or interchangeable ones.
Because aluminum is lighter than metal, they can be a very good option for large projects with thick yarns.
* There is a special word to replace "full" but it doesn't come back to me...
Plastic
Plastic needles are a great option for those on a budget.
Unlike metallic or aluminum needles, thicker needles will be "empty" and will therefore be lighter. They remain very good confections and offer a beautiful knitting experience.
Plastic, at the microscopic level, being less smooth than metal or aluminum, the yarn and the stitches will less likely slip. The difference is very limited but if you are a beginner plastic needles can be a good alternative.
Wood
So yes, in practice bamboo is a plant that grows and provides wood. It is true that I could have put these 2 subjects together but I have my little reasons to separate them 😉.
Wood makes it possible to create very beautiful kits of circular or straight needles (cf. Knit Picks, Knit Pro...). Generally we see all the wood life and they are splendid.
The knitting experience is great because of the beauty of the needles. They are quite smooth because lacquered which allows the thread to slide very easily.
Disadvantage: they are expensive ... Like all that is natural, but I have not yet seen any organics... 🤔🤔
Obviously they are fragile. The risk is less great with circular needles since the wooden sectino is shorter but still take care not to sit on it or to wedge it somewhere at the risk of breaking them in half.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a favorite material, particularly because needles are cheaper. They are much more fragile than wooden needles. Straight bamboo needles can bend a little because of the weight of the project...
Unlike wooden needles, they are not lacquered. The material is therefore raw, the bamboo fibers create snags (normally not big enough to damage the yarn, unless the needles are very old and damaged or of poor quality), which will retain the thread of your stitches.
This is not necessarily a drawback, depending on your project but mostly the thread you use it is possible that you want your needles to retain your stitches.
This is the case if you knit a thread that has silk, this material is very slippery so effectively knitting goes very quickly on metal needles but the probability of stitches is also very important...
I worked a lace project with silk on metal wooden 🤯🤯 I lost my mind until I changed for bamboo needles.
So knitting silk with bamboo needles (good quality) is a joy. The stitches are naturally retained by the needles and nothing is lost.
To finish
I recommend to beginners, despite the price* and depending on the wool chosen: circular needles in bamboo from US4 to US10 or the Ergonomic Prym (the size has to be adapted according to the wool chosen):
The circular so as not to be limited in the projects you would like to do.
In bamboo so that your thread does not slip too much on your needles. When starting out, there will be a lot to learn and in particular to develop your dexterity. If your needles hold the stitches, then you have one less thing to worry about 😉
There are many projects available with needles from US4 to US10. Scarves, baby kits, hats, blankets, comforters ... are knitted regularly in these sizes. You will have plety to choose from.
The Ergonomic Prym have a drop-shaped tip which will also help to retain the stitches when you are about to knit it. This will limit the loss of stitches and many moments of panic.
* I am fully aware that the price is an important factor especially when starting a new activity. However, buying quality equipment from the start makes the difference between continuing and stopping. The frustration that there is in starting knitting, because there will be, must not come from a bulky needle, from a cable that drags everything, from the stitches that slide needles nor from a needle that broke ...
My last piece of advice: put some more money in needles and get rid of these frustrations 👆👆 because now you have the opportunity to make an informed choice.
Despite the presence of a brand in this article, I was not sponsored by any of them. This is my personal opinion related to my experience, what I have been told or what I have read. If you have other questions, don't hesitate to ask them in the comments 😘😘
Sidney