Types of Knitting Needles and Purpose

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Last Updated on September 12, 2022

I am starting a series of articles about knitting tools and accessories. Today let’s talk about Types of Knitting Needles and Purpose.

Types of Knitting Needles

Types of Knitting Needles

To work on a particular thing, the knitting needles are selected depending on the thickness of the yarn, which should be about half as thin as the knitting needles. Choosing the right knitting needles case, you can do the following: fold the thread in half and twist it a little.

The diameter of the resulting thread should be equal to the diameter of the spokes. If the knitting needles you choose are too thin, then the knitted fabric will be inelastic, and it will be difficult to work. When choosing too thick knitting needles, it turns out to be loose and does not hold well.

Yarn manufacturers usually indicate the recommended thickness of the knitting needles on the labels, but much depends on how the craftswoman knits – tight or weak.

Knitting needles are divided into two categories:

  1. Direct
  2. Circular

All you need to know about knitting needles

Therefore, you need to knit several samples with needles of suitable thickness and choose the one that you liked more than others.

1. Ordinary knitting needles

Due to the fact that the spokes have an uneven thickness and taper towards the end with a tip, the loops lie on them freely and easily knit. The number of needles is marked on colored tips – it indicates the diameter of the needles in millimeters. Straight knitting needles are used for flat knitting of individual parts, which will subsequently be sewn into a single product. Knitting is carried out in the forward and reverse directions.

2. Hosiery knitting needles

Loops when knitting is distributed on 4 knitting needles and knit with a 5th knitting needle. On these knitting needles, necklines are made, mittens, hats, and socks are knitted (and before stockings were knitted – hence the name “hosiery”).

Pearl gray knitting needles made of aluminum with INOX coating and Addi knitting needles. Knitting needles 15 cm long are ideal for knitting children’s socks and gloves. Stocking knitting needles are available in various thicknesses – from No. 1.25 to No. 8.

3. Circular knitting needles

A flexible perlon cable connects two knitting needles, and they can be knitted in a circle. The length of the circular knitting needles should always be slightly less than the width of the part so that the fabric does not stretch when knitting.

On circular knitting needles can be knitted in the forward and reverse directions, so they are convenient to use when making patterns in which 2 front or 2 wrong rows are knitted in a row. For knitting in the forward and reverse directions, the optimal length of the needles is 60-80 cm.

Circular knitting needles have many advantages. They allow you to change the direction of work without stretching the canvas. It is also convenient to knit heavy things on circular knitting needles – the weight of the product lies on your knees, and your hands are not so tired.

Thanks to the circular knitting rope’s flexibility, it is convenient to knit in tight spaces. For example, sitting in an armchair with armrests. It is easy to put circular knitting needles in a bag, and you can continue to knit in a bus or subway without disturbing others with long knitting needles.

Even when knitting a flat cloth, you can use circular knitting needles, rotate at the end of each row, and knit on straight knitting needles.

4. Flexible knitting needles

These are the knitting needles, each of which is extended from one end by about 60 cm with a flexible cable. On such knitting needles, it is convenient to knit large-sized details. Flexible knitting needles are available in the same numbers as regular ones.

5. Auxiliary knitting needles, straight and curly

On a direct auxiliary spoke acc. numbers could be left open hinges, for example, to enter your pocket. Curly knitting needles (knitting needles with a bend) acc. numbers are used when performing the intersection of braid loops.

Crossed loops are left on the auxiliary knitting needle before or at work (bending prevents the knitting needle from slipping out of the knitted fabric).

The most common length of knitting needles;

  • Straight Knitting Needles – 25 and 36 Cm;
  • Double-edged Knitting Needles – 18 and 25 Cm;
  • Circular Knitting Needles – 40, 60, 80 and 90 Cm;
  • Knitting Needles – 45 Cm.
  • You Can Also Meet Non-standard Length Knitting Needles, Such as:
  • Straight Knitting Needles – 18 Cm;
  • Double-pointed Knitting Needles – 36 Cm;
  • Circular Knitting Needles – 29 Cm;

Flexible knitting needles longer than 45 cm, but knitting needles of this length are not available everywhere, except in specialized stores. Also, sometimes you can find double-edged knitting needles only 13 cm long; Previously, such short knitting needles were used to knit gloves. Straight knitting needles can be aluminum, plastic, wood, bamboo, steel, or bone and have a Teflon or plastic coating.

The Main Manufacturers of Knitting Needles

Circular knitting needles are plastic, aluminum, bamboo, or wooden, with a connecting cable made of plastic.

1. Addi

World-famous for their circular knitting needles (Series-Turbo and Lace)! Lightweight straight knitting needles are also made from nickel-plated brass. The ends of the Turbo are a little blunt, but the Lace is very sharp – for knitting lace and shawls.

Recently began to produce sets of interchangeable knitting needles, the set includes 8 sizes of knitting needles and 3 fishing lines of different lengths! In Europe, they are inexpensive, and in the States are very expensive knitting needles!

2. Brittany

A small family-owned company that produces straight and circular knitting needles from birch. Reasonable prices and a guarantee for 5 years!

3. Clover

Takumi produces knitting needles from smooth bamboo; they have sharp tips and are good for Lace and shawls. Due to their affordable price, they are incredibly popular in England!

4. Knit Pro

In the States, they are called Knit Picks by the name of the site that sells them. Huge selection of all types of knitting needles, all with sharp tapered tips. Wooden knitting needles are made of birch, while metal knitting needles are made of nickel-plated brass.

Recently began to produce sets of interchangeable knitting needles, the set includes 8 sizes of knitting needles and 3 fishing lines of different lengths! Very popular knitting needles, but there are complaints about the quality of wooden knitting needles – they often break from a heavy load, under the weight of the yarn.

5. Lantern Moon

Produce luxurious knitting needles from expensive tree species – palm, mahogany, black (hard rubber). They produce circular and straight knitting needles, the set of stocking knitting needles includes 6 knitting needles, and not 5 as usual – in case of breakage!

6. Pony

Produce knitting needles made of plastic, metal, bamboo, and wood. Large assortment of straight and circular knitting needles. Reasonable prices.

7. Prym

Produce knitting needles from plastic, aluminum, steel, and bamboo. In the States, they are called Inox. A large assortment of straight and circular knitting needles, rare sizes from 1.5 mm to 2 cm! Reasonable prices.

8. Signature Needle Arts

Make metal knitting needles to order – size, length, color, and sharpness at the customer’s request. Needles are extraordinary, in our market for more than 5 years, and they have worked well.

Light metal and bamboo options for knitting needles are distinctive features, a long soft and reliable cable, and a bamboo – tubular soft fishing line. Well, the most important thing is the low price, relative to leading manufacturers!)

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