A Guide to Knitting Needle

If you want to learn to knit, you must have a knitting needle. Let's start with needle sizes & length.

A.    NEEDLE SIZES & LENGTH

1.     Size

Knitting needle sizes conversion chart

You can find out what size knitting needles and gauge you will need to achieve with a specific yarn by looking at the product details on a yarn page or by simply looking on the label of a skein of yarn.

2. Length

Long or short. The type of project determines the length of your needle. Most patterns have suggestions for the length.  

Most straight needles are 10-16″ (25-40 cm) long. Circular needles range enormously and can be as short as 22cm (8½in) or as long as 150cm (60in), however the most commonly used lengths are 40, 60 or 80cm (16, 24, or 32in)  

If you want to knit blanket or sweater needs a longer needle. Small, flat projects can be worked on any needle length. Small ones like socks need a short circular needle or double-pointed needles.

B. TYPES OF KNITTING NEEDLES

1.     Straight Needles

Straight needles  come in sets of two needle, and each has a point at one end and a knob or stopper at the other, they are straightforward and easy to use.

2.  Double-Pointed Needles

Double-Pointed Needles also known as DPNs. These shorter straight needles have points at both ends and usually come in sets of four to six needles. 

You can use them for knitting socks, mittens, gloves, knitted toy.

3.  Circular Needles

When working on a large knitting project in the round, use circular needles. These needles have a flexible cord that connects them so they are almost like one long knitting needle.

Some knitters love this type of knitting needle because there's little chance they'll come apart andthey allow you to make bags and sweaters without seams (for knitting hats and socks)

4.   Interchangeable Needles

They have a firm tip and a flexible cord. Interchangeable knitting needles have a lot more functionality than fixed circulars, the pieces separate so you can change out the needle sizes and cord lengths. You can also connect needles to cords and attach caps at the ends so you can use them like straight needles.

Having this flexibility is incredibly helpful for most knitting projects

5. Cable Knitting Needles

These needles hold stitches when forming knitted cables.This is a handy tool for keeping active stitches safe while moving them around.

C. KNITTING NEEDLE MATERIAL

Material choice really comes down to personal preference. However, here are a few general guidelines for commonly used knitting needles.

1. Wooden 

Bamboo, birch, ebony, and rosewood are very common. Bamboo knitting needles are usually rather inexpensive as well. 

Wooden needles are probably the best choice for knitting beginners . They are lightweight, smooth, moderate friction but break easily, damaged surface can easily pull threads. 

2. Metal 

Many knitters like metal needles as they are durable, smooth and fast. They often crafted out of aluminum, stainless steel, brass, or nickel plated.

3. Plastic

Plastic knitting needles are lightweight, smooth, and flexible. making them a popular choice. They are also great for beginners as they are the most lightweight and have a smoothness comparable to wooden knitting needles.

Types of plastic include normal grey plastic and acrylic.

4. Glass

This material is harder to find and less commonly used. It's beautiful , smooth,  stitches don’t slide off accidentally. But it can breakable and not too durable.