Most knitters often have a specific type of needle that they prefer. Depending on the way they knit, they have perfectly adapted their tools. But of course not only your own knitting technique, but also the yarn and the desired product determine which materials and needle types are used. The tips below should help you choose the right knitting needle for your project.

Needle Size:

The needle size corresponds to the diameter of the needle in millimeters. Most needles are found between 2.5 and 8 mm. The range can also go up to 20 or more millimeters. However, this unit of measurement is only valid in Europe. For example, if you want to buy from American suppliers, you should definitely take this into account. A Set is best for beginners to learn to knit. So you have the right needle size for the right knitting yarn right from the start.

Needle types:

There is a different perfect needle for every project and every knitter. Often the instructions will tell you which type is best for each piece.

Straight needles

The long, straight needles fit comfortably in the hand. So they are perfect for learning to knit for beginners. Shorter needles are for small works. Long needles are good for large, wide projects, like scarves or sweaters. There is often a stopper at one end to prevent the thread from slipping off the needle.

Circular needles

The circular needles consist of two shorter, rigid needles which are connected with a plastic cable. The length of the connecting piece can vary and can thus be adapted to the respective knitting project. You should choose a longer circular needle for a sweater than for socks or hats, for example. You can find the right length in your knitting pattern.

needles game

If you want to knit socks, gloves or cuffs, the needle-point game is the classic. The needle set consists of five needles that are pointed at both ends. Wooden needles are often preferred to metal needles because the thread has more grip there.

Needle Material:

The material that knitting needles are made of can be very diverse. There are round and square needles. The latter are often preferred for double pointed needles because they lie well on top of each other and are easy on the joints.

Metal

Metal needles are particularly suitable for hairy yarns that tend to get caught on a less smooth surface and slide off the needle with difficulty. Also, if you knit very tightly, this is the perfect needle for you.

wood

Bamboo needles are very light in the hand, which creates an even stitch pattern even for beginners. Slippery yarns, such as silk, find grip on the slightly rougher surface and are easier to work with. Another advantage is that the thin needles adapt perfectly to the curvature of your own hand over time. Ebony or rosewood needles are slightly more expensive. However, they have a particularly good grip and do not bend.

Accessories and tools:

The selection of knitting accessories is almost limitless. Much is just practical, but some is almost indispensable to complete a complex project. A needlework bag is perfect for the knitting accessories. It's not expensive and you've got all your things together. In addition to scissors, tape measure and sewing needle, you can store one or the other practical tool of your basic equipment here.

knitting needle size

The needle size is sometimes not printed on the needle, or fades over time. Knowing what strength you are working with is essential.There is a plastic knitting needle gauge for this, often in the form of a ruler. The needle is inserted through the holes of different sizes, which allows you to determine the size. The ruler also helps when measuring the gauge.

stitch gatherer

You can temporarily shut down individual stitches on the so-called stitch gatherers. You may know this from sock knitting. You can also slip the stitches onto another needle. However, you risk the stitches slipping off. The better alternative to the original stitch catcher are large safety pins.

stitch marker

Stitch markers are especially useful for circular knitting. You can use this to mark the beginning and end of a round. But the small rings can also be very helpful for certain patterns or socks.

row counter

Especially when you have confusing rows in front of you, a stitch counter is recommended. You can even put some models on one end of the needle and continue twisting or pressing at the end of each row. This way you always have an overview!

With the right gear, you can get to work with confidence. You can find many free knitting instructions or video tutorials on the internet to try out different patterns.