How to Buy Knitting Needles

Knitting is one of the most popular hobbies among women. It is generally noted that to-be-mothers indulge in a lot of knitting. The activity can be fun for women, provided they have the right equipments with them. Knitting needle sets are available in various sizes, lengths, materials and weights. Buying the right kind of knitting needles is essential, as go a long way in giving the desired look to the knitted wool. There are certain factors which you must adhere to when you go to buy knitting needles; otherwise you might end up with the wrong ones. In the following lines, we have provided tips that will help you in buying knitting needle sets.

How to Buy Knitting Needles

The first step is to know the size of knitting needles you want for yourself. The pattern you are making would give you an idea of the size you would require. You can even resort to the cover on the yarn, as it usually provides the exact size of the needles needed.
The next step is to figure out the length of the knitting needle. It is noted that for knitting long rows, longer knitting needles are the best, while in case if scarves made from thin yarn, short needles are just right. Before choosing the length of the needle, try to ensure that it is the one that you can reuse in future too.
Next in line is the step of choosing the material from which the knitting needle is made of. Generally, they are made of bamboo/wood, metal and plastic/synthetic materials. Materials are directly proportional to the stiffness and the smoothness and also to the speed of knitting. Stiff needles work very well for experts as well as fresher. However, bamboo/wood needles are preferred sometimes by first timers, as they are stickier and do not slide off easily, unlike the metal ones.
The weight of the needles is also an important consideration to make. Lighter needles assist in knitting and also increase the speed. If you are confused among two needles of equally acceptable stiffness and smoothness, choose the one that is lighter.
While choosing knitting needles, consider the sound created when two needles click together. Metal needles are the loudest and wood needles are the quietest. Though aluminum needles are mostly preferred, they make a clicking sound which might be disturbing, if you usually knit while watching TV or having a conversation.

How to Cite

Related Articles

See also

More in 'Home & Living'