Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Selecting Knitting Needles from a Specific Material
• Method 2 of 3: Choosing a Knitting Needle
• Method 3 of 3: Choosing a Needle Diameter

Knitting is a great hobby that allows you to relax and show your creativity, and you can always take it with you. However, choosing the right knitting needles is important if you want this activity to be truly enjoyable and not upsetting. Knitting needles come in many varieties, so it can be difficult to choose the right knitting needles for a specific task. However, you can always find the right pair of knitting needles, or even a whole set, if you consider the distinctive aspects of different types of knitting needles, knitting needles of different materials and needles of different diameters.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Selecting Knitting Needles from a Specific Material

1. 1 Use metal knitting needles. Metal knitting needles are classic knitting needles and come in a wide variety of sizes. Many needlewomen love metal knitting needles for the fact that they can be quickly worked with and they emit a pleasant tapping while knitting. However, if you are not very concerned about speed and / or think that tapping the knitting needles will annoy you, then metal knitting needles may not be the best choice for you.
   • Most metal spokes are made of aluminum, but steel, nickel and brass spokes are also found.
2. 2 Try plastic knitting needles for a budget option. Plastic knitting needles will be the cheapest, so they are a great choice for people looking to save money or just check if they would like knitting at all. Plastic knitting needles can be found even in particularly large sizes that are not available in other types of knitting needles, so they can be a great option for knitting with very thick yarns or unconventional materials.
   • Remember that the yarn will easily slide off the plastic knitting needles during operation, which can be both an additional bonus to knitting speed and a frustration in case of accidental release of the loops!
3. 3 Pay attention to the wooden knitting needles. Wooden knitting needles are one of the most expensive types of knitting needles, but many needlewomen are more pleased to work with them.Wooden knitting needles are also great for beginners as they don't slide off as easily as metal or plastic knitting needles.
4. 4 Buy a pair of bamboo knitting needles. If you like the texture of wooden knitting needles but find them too expensive, bamboo knitting needles are available as a less expensive alternative. Bamboo knitting needles in the hands create the same feeling as wooden ones, but the yarn prefers to stay on them instead of sliding off.

Method 2 of 3: Choosing a Knitting Needle

1. 1 Take regular straight knitting needles. Ordinary straight knitting needles are pointed at one end, and at the other they can be blunt, widened, or have a round knob that prevents the loops from slipping. They are best suited for projects that knit in straight rows, such as scarves, bedspreads and napkins. These knitting needles come in a wide variety of diameters and lengths, so you can always find the right pair of knitting needles for a specific task.
   • You can be offered straight knitting needles in the following lengths: 18 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm and 35 cm.
2. 2 Experiment with circular knitting needles. Circular knitting needles are two knitting needles connected by a wire or nylon cord. They are best for round knits such as hats, circular knit scarves and sweaters. However, they can also be used for knitting large pieces in rows to fit all the stitches on the needles (for example, for knitting blankets).
   • Circular knitting needles can also have different diameters and lengths of wire or nylon cord connecting them. Circular knitting needles of the following lengths are often found: 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm and 80 cm.
3. 3 Try using double-pointed knitting needles. Double-pointed (or double-pointed) knitting needles are often needed to complete knitting and close stitches when knitting things like hats, most of which are knitted on round knitting needles. Also, double-edged knitting needles are great for fine round knits used in socks and mittens. These knitting needles are also available in various sizes.
   • Double-edged knitting needles are usually sold in sets of five.
   • In addition to the double-edged needles, a stop tip set is available. The hinges can easily slide off these knitting needles, especially if they are made of metal or plastic. The tips can be put on both ends of the working knitting needles, and on both ends of the temporarily unused knitting needles, so as not to accidentally let the loops off them.
4. 4 Use the auxiliary knitting needles to knit the braids. The secondary knitting needles are usually U-shaped. If you are interested in knitted braid patterns, then auxiliary knitting needles will come in handy. However, remember that the accessory needles cannot be used by themselves. They complement a pair of straight, circular or double-edged knitting needles when it is necessary to knit a pattern with a pigtail.
   • The auxiliary knitting needles are also available in a wide variety of sizes. Be sure to choose the auxiliary knitting needles that will match the size of your main knitting needles with which you are doing your project.
5. 5 Pay attention to the interchangeable sets of knitting needles. If you think you may need different knitting needles, then you might consider purchasing an interchangeable set of knitting needles. Such a set will include knitting needles of various types, the elements of which can be interconnected in various ways in order to fulfill a specific task. If necessary, such knitting needles can be connected in circular cords of various lengths, or extension elements can be used to obtain longer, straight knitting needles.
   • Keep in mind that these kits are quite expensive, but they also cost you less than buying all the different sizes and types of knitting needles you need separately.

Method 3 of 3: Choosing a Needle Diameter

1. 1 Check the recommendations for the knitting pattern. When choosing the size of the knitting needles, it is best to refer to the recommendations given in the knitting pattern used. Usually, knitting patterns immediately indicate the size and type of the necessary knitting needles that will be required to complete the project. If several types and sizes of knitting needles are required at once, then they will certainly be indicated in the description of the work on the project.
   • Before starting work, be sure to read the recommendations for the chosen knitting pattern and adhere to them for the best results.
2. 2 Pay attention to the label on the skein. If you are not using a specific knitting pattern, check the label on the skein you intend to use for the recommended knitting needle size. In most cases, yarn manufacturers indicate the recommended size of knitting needles and crochet hooks on their labels. Check the label for written or schematic guidelines for knitting needles.
   • Sometimes written directions are given on the labels, for example, in the form of the phrase “For size 5 knitting needles”, while in other cases the label may have a picture of crossed knitting needles and a number. The number shown in the illustration indicates the required size of the knitting needles.
   • Please note that US and European spoke sizes are different. US spoke sizes are indicated in whole numbers, while European size systems use the diameter of the spokes in millimeters, such as “9 mm”.
3. 3 Link a test sample. The test piece will allow you to determine the number of stitches obtained in a 10 cm piece of knitting using a specific size knitting needle. If you are not sure which knitting needles to choose for knitting, and you have several different pairs of knitting needles, as well as a specific yarn, then you can try to knit several test samples in order to determine the choice of knitting needles later.
   • To get a test knit, knit a 10 cm square from your yarn using specific knitting needles.Then count the number of stitches per 10 cm of knitting and see if these knitting needles are right for this project or if you need thinner or thicker knitting needles.