The Basics. Needles and Yarn:
Here are the different types of needles you can use while knitting. First, on the far left, are the most commonly known needles, Straight needles. They come in packs of 2. There is a built in stopper on one end of each needle. You work back and forth on these needles. Next are Double Point needles. These are great to use for hats. A lot of people don't like DPN's but I LOVE using them, because you can knit "in the round" and not have any seams in your work. Double Point needles come in sets of 4 or 5. Some people think knitting with DPN's in the round takes more time than just using straight needles and sewing the seam closed because of having to shift your hands onto the next needle as you work. There is also the possibility of having a slight space in your work if you don't pull the stitches tight enough as you shift from the end of one needle to the begining of the next. The second set of DPN's here are shorter, because they are designed for socks. Shorter needles are easier on the hands when working a smaller project, like socks, the tops of hats, and protruding eyes that I make for my Monsters. Lastly, that weird looking one on the top of the picture, is a Circular needle. I also love circular needles, they are better than DPN's because you don't have to keep shifting around the needles. You just knit and knit and knit! This particular set of circulars are 16" long, from tip to tip, measuring the plastic wire that attaches them too. 16" is the smallest size of circulars, and perfect for hats. Longer needles are used for sweaters, and a lot of knitters like to use them for flat projects as well because they are longer than straight needles. As you work with the circular needles, the size of the diameter of the wooden ends you see is what makes the stitch the right size. You do not need to worry that the cord is skinny, it only acts as a stitch holder as you work.
Knitting needles can be made of metal, plastic, wood or glass. I've pictured metal (green straights) plastic (blue DPN's) and bamboo wood (sock DPN's and circulars). I would like to get some glass needles and try them out, mostly because I've seen some really beautiful designs on Etsy, but with 4 kids and at $30 a set, I don't think it would be a wise investment at this time.
Needles come in a lot of different sizes. Sizing is mostly the diameter of the needle. Size 0 needles are 2mm in diameter. They can go up in pretty large diameters, although most published work stops at about size 15 or 16 (US sizes, size 16 has a 10mm diameter). However, I have seen people make their own very large needles out of branches, and there is also a way to knit with your arms! Some spinners like to make REALLY THICK wool yarn and knit it with their arms for HUGELY BULKY projects, which always look super cool! Of course, as you can see, there is also a size for the length of DPN's and circulars. Even straights can vary a few inches in their length. Be sure you have the right size and type of needles for your project!
Knitting needles can be made of metal, plastic, wood or glass. I've pictured metal (green straights) plastic (blue DPN's) and bamboo wood (sock DPN's and circulars). I would like to get some glass needles and try them out, mostly because I've seen some really beautiful designs on Etsy, but with 4 kids and at $30 a set, I don't think it would be a wise investment at this time.
Needles come in a lot of different sizes. Sizing is mostly the diameter of the needle. Size 0 needles are 2mm in diameter. They can go up in pretty large diameters, although most published work stops at about size 15 or 16 (US sizes, size 16 has a 10mm diameter). However, I have seen people make their own very large needles out of branches, and there is also a way to knit with your arms! Some spinners like to make REALLY THICK wool yarn and knit it with their arms for HUGELY BULKY projects, which always look super cool! Of course, as you can see, there is also a size for the length of DPN's and circulars. Even straights can vary a few inches in their length. Be sure you have the right size and type of needles for your project!
Yarn:
This is the 6 basic sizes (thickness) of yarns, called the "weight" of the yarn. From top to bottom:
Super Fine (1). The thinnest yarns, also called fingering. Used most commonly in lace, socks, and baby items.
Fine (2). Also can be called fingering, I personally have not found much of a difference between size 1 and 2 yarns, and in the picture it even looks like the top yarn is thicker than the second yarn! Looks like some manufacturers of yarns have slightly different sizing, just like we see in clothes. This is why it's important to check your gauge before you make a project!
Light (3). Also called Sport, DK (Double Knit), Fine, or Light Worsted. Can be used for light weight clothes.
Medium (4). Called Worsted Weight. The most commonly used size for beginners. Versatile.
Bulky (5). Also called Chunky. Great for knitting warm clothes. The thicker the yarn, the faster the knitting goes too!
Super Bulky (6). Also called Super Chunky and Roving. My personal favorite for hats, because they are really thick and warm and knit up quickly. This size is about double the common, medium sized (worsted) yarn. Sometimes I like to use 2 strands of a smaller size yarn held together as one strand to bulk it up and reduce the number of stitches I need to knit.
Super Fine (1). The thinnest yarns, also called fingering. Used most commonly in lace, socks, and baby items.
Fine (2). Also can be called fingering, I personally have not found much of a difference between size 1 and 2 yarns, and in the picture it even looks like the top yarn is thicker than the second yarn! Looks like some manufacturers of yarns have slightly different sizing, just like we see in clothes. This is why it's important to check your gauge before you make a project!
Light (3). Also called Sport, DK (Double Knit), Fine, or Light Worsted. Can be used for light weight clothes.
Medium (4). Called Worsted Weight. The most commonly used size for beginners. Versatile.
Bulky (5). Also called Chunky. Great for knitting warm clothes. The thicker the yarn, the faster the knitting goes too!
Super Bulky (6). Also called Super Chunky and Roving. My personal favorite for hats, because they are really thick and warm and knit up quickly. This size is about double the common, medium sized (worsted) yarn. Sometimes I like to use 2 strands of a smaller size yarn held together as one strand to bulk it up and reduce the number of stitches I need to knit.
