Straight, Double-Pointed and Circular Knitting Needles
To a novice knitter, understanding the benefits of straight, double-pointed and circular knitting needles might be overwhelming. Each type of knitting needle has a time, a place and a perfect use.
Straight Knitting Needles
Straight needles are often what people imagine when they think of knitting needles. They are long and straight with one pointed end and have a stopper at the other end so that the yarn cannot slide off accidentally. For this reason, straight knitting needles are perfect for beginners.
Straights come in plastic, metal and wooden varieties. Wooden needles are typically the most expensive, and metal needles are commonly seen as the fastest and easiest to work with. For beginners, straight knitting needles made out of either wood or plastic are probably the best option.
Straight knitting needles will come in varying lengths and widths. Patterns will guide you through the appropriate choice of width (needle size). Longer needles are suited to bigger projects, shorter needles the reverse.
Double-Pointed Knitting Needles
Double-pointed knitting needles are similar to straight knitting needles, except that both ends are pointed. They are commonly sold in sets of four, five or six needles, and are used most often to knit things in the round. Knitting items in this manner allows the knitter to create a tube of their knitting, conducive to socks, mittens, hats or sleeves. It eliminates the need for seaming, the drawback to the flat knitting produced by straight knitting needles.
Double-pointed knitting needles come in various lengths and widths to suit your needs, and like straight needles, are made out of metal, plastic or wood. Small wooden knitting needles are prone to break, which is why metal double-pointed needles such as the Knit Picks brand have become popular. They are quick for knitting, though the needles don't offer as much give and warmth as a wooden needle might. Over time, knitters will develop a preference for the material, and even the brand, of their double-pointed needles.
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To a novice knitter, understanding the benefits of straight, double-pointed and circular knitting needles might be overwhelming. Each type of knitting needle has a time, a place and a perfect use.
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