Do you want to start knitting in the round? Let's talk about needles
How to choose the right knitting needles when you're just starting out? There are many things to consider when you want to buy your first pair of circular needles; the material they're made of, the length of the cable, whether they're interchangeable or fixed, or whether to buy a pair of needles or a complete set. Below you'll find a summary of the essentials you need to know when choosing your first knitting needles.
About the material
Knitting needles come in a variety of materials, each with its own characteristics and benefits. Here are the most common materials and their qualities:
1. Metal: Metal needles are durable, sturdy, and very gliding, allowing for fast knitting. They are ideal for knitters with tight tension, as they help the yarn move smoothly. However, they can be cold to the touch and somewhat heavy in larger sizes.
2. Bamboo: Bamboo needles are light and warm to the touch, making them comfortable to knit with for extended periods. They offer a slight resistance to the yarn, which can be helpful for beginners or those with very loose tension. They are quieter than metal needles and less likely to cause hand fatigue.
3. Wood: Similar to bamboo, wooden needles are warm, lightweight, and offer some resistance to the thread, but are usually harder and stronger. Wood may be polished or painted, and is sometimes made from exotic woods, which adds beauty and a personal touch to the needles.
4. Plastic: Plastic needles are lightweight and flexible, making them resistant to breaking. They are ideal for large projects, such as blankets, as they are lighter than metal needles in larger sizes. However, they may not be as durable as metal or wooden needles and vary in smoothness and quality.
5. Acrylic: These are a variation of plastic needles, except they can be clear or come in a variety of vibrant colors. They are light and soft, although like plastic needles, they may not be as strong as metal or wood needles.
6. Carbon: Carbon fiber needles are extremely light and strong, combining the durability of metal with the lightness of plastic or bamboo. They have metal tips to make entering the points easier, and their texture provides a perfect balance between softness and grip.
Each type of needle offers a different knitting experience, and the choice largely depends on personal preference, the project at hand, and the tension at which you knit. Experimenting with different materials can help you find the type of needle that best suits your knitting needs.
If I had to recommend a material to start with, it would be wooden or bamboo needles. The advantage is that the stitch doesn't slip off as easily so accidents that cause stitches to slip off the needles are less likely to happen. Plus, they are kinder to your hands, in case you tend to squeeze (which can happen when you're first learning) so it's a way to avoid damaging your hands. Over time, experimenting with different materials can help you find the type of needle that best suits your knitting needs.
Interchangeable or fixed.
Fixed Circular Knitting Needles: Fixed circular needles consist of two needles connected by a cable. This cable is fixed, meaning that its length cannot be changed or adjusted. The cable length is often varied to accommodate different knitting circumferences. One benefit of fixed circular needles is that they are ready to use and do not require assembly of parts. They are ideal for specific projects where the chosen cable length fits the circumference of the project perfectly. However, their rigidity in terms of cable length can limit their versatility for different projects.
Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needles: Interchangeable circular needles offer significant flexibility compared to fixed needles. This system allows for both needle tips and cables to be changed, making it possible to adjust the cable length based on the needs of the project at hand. The interchangeable kit typically includes several needle tips of different sizes and cables of various lengths, along with accessories such as cable connectors and tension wrenches. This allows knitters to use the same pair of needles for a wide variety of projects, from small hats to large blankets, simply by changing needle tips and/or cables. Interchangeable needles are especially useful for those who knit a wide variety of projects and prefer to have a modular system that adapts to their changing needs.
The choice between fixed and interchangeable circular needles usually comes down to personal preference, desired versatility, and the type of projects you plan to knit. Interchangeable needles offer greater flexibility and adaptability, while being a higher initial investment that may be worth it for frequent knitters.
The length of the cable.
If you want to start with fixed needles, the main cable size I recommend is 80 cm, which is very versatile because you can use it to knit large and small circumferences, using the Magic Loop technique. But if you want greater comfort, it is ideal to have the following sizes:
- 80 cm, for knitting large circumferences (like the body of a sweater).
- 40 cm, for knitting small circumferences (for knitting a sweater collar).
- 25 cm, for knitting small circumferences, such as sleeves.
The width or thickness of the needle.
Choosing the right width of knitting needle is essential to ensure your project has the desired texture, density and size.
1. Check the pattern instructions: If you plan to start knitting in the round following a pattern, most knitting patterns specify the recommended needle size to achieve the correct gauge. This is the first reference you should consider, as it has been calculated so that the final result has the desired dimensions and appearance.
2. Consider yarn weight: Yarn weight is a determining factor in choosing needle width. Generally, thicker yarns require thicker needles, while thinner yarns are best worked with thinner needles. Yarn labels often provide a suggested needle size for good results, which can serve as an initial guide.
3. Make a tension swatch: Before you begin your project, knit a small swatch with the yarn and needles you plan to use. Measure the swatch to make sure it matches the tension specified in the pattern. If your swatch has more stitches than indicated, try using thicker needles; if it has fewer, use thinner needles.
4. Consider the desired effect: Needle size can also influence the texture of the knit. Thicker needles with fine yarns create a looser, airier knit, ideal for light projects like shawls or summer knits. On the other hand, thinner needles with thick yarns result in dense, warm knits, perfect for sweaters and scarves.
5. Adjust for your knitting style: The tension you knit with (tight or loose) also affects what needle size you should use. Knitters with tight tension may need thicker needles to achieve their desired tension, while those with loose tension may need thinner needles.
6. Experiment and adjust: Sometimes the only way to find the perfect needle size is through experimentation. Don't be afraid to adjust your needle size up or down to get exactly the result you're looking for.
Some of these recommendations involve trying out different needle sizes, so it's a good idea to have a couple of extra needles to do this testing. To get a sense of the range of needle sizes you should have to start with, you can use the size that a pattern calls for, or the size that's recommended on the yarn label. For example, if the pattern says you need a 4mm needle, you might want to consider having an additional smaller needle (which will also work for cuffs and ribbing) and a larger needle, in case your tension is tighter than the one indicated in the pattern. I would go with a 4mm, a 3.5mm, and a 4.5mm.
Remember that choosing needles is a personal process and can vary from project to project. The important thing is to feel comfortable with your tools and enjoy the process.
Looking for some needle options? Here are some that might help you:
Lykke Blush Interchangeable Wooden Needles Set
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