Tips & Tricks
Knitting Tools and Equipment
Your pattern will tell you what basic tools are required (size of needles, amount of yarn, etc.), but there are several other items which may be needed to complete the garment. Although they may not be used for every project, you will probably require most of the following items at some stage.
Pairs of Knitting Needles
These range in size from 2mm to 17mm in diameter, and it is useful to have several sizes in order to knit up and compare tension swatches. Needles are available in plastic, wood, bamboo, steel or alloy, and whichever you use makes no difference to the tension or quality of the knitting. They are also available in various lengths, so use one which will hold the required number of stitches comfortably - stitches can easily fall off an overcrowded needle! Check that needles have nicely rounded points and are straight - blunt, bent or scratched needles all reduce the speed and efficiency of knitting.
Circular and double-pointed needles.
These are used for knitting tubular, seamless fabric or for knitting flat rounds (such as circular shawls and table cloths). Circular needles consist of two short needles joined by a length of flexible nylon of varying lengths. Your pattern will usually tell you what length is required to accommodate the number of stitches comfortably, the shorter lengths are used for sleeves, neckbands, etc., and the longer ones are used for larger areas. Circular needles can also be used as a pair of needles, turning at the end of each row, wherever you have a large number of stitches such as on a baby's shawl. Circular needles are not usually marked with the needle size so keep them in their packet when not in use. If you are not sure of the size, use a needle gauge.
Double-pointed needles are available in sets of four or six. They are often used to knit neckbands and can be used as an alternative to circular needles wherever there is a small number of stitches which may be too stretched on a circular needle. Double-pointed needles are also used for knitting seamless socks, gloves and berets.
Cable needles
These are short, double-pointed needles which are used for holding stitches to the back or front of the work when moving stitches for an Aran or Cable pattern. They are generally available in three sizes so use whichever holds the stitches comfortably - one which is too thick will stretch the stitches, while a thin one may slip out of the stitches. Cable needles with U-bends to hold the stitches are easier to use than the traditional straight ones
Stitch holders
These resemble large safety pins and are used to retain stitches which will be required later, for example across a pocket where the edging is done after the front is completed. Alternatively, thread a length of contrasting yarn through the stitches, slip them off the needle and knot both ends of the contrast yarn together. Slip the stitches back onto a needle before knitting the edging.
Row counter
This is a cylindrical device with a dial used to record the number of rows knitted. Slip the row counter onto the end of the needle before starting to knit and turn the dial at the end of each row.
Tape measure
This is essential for measuring the length and width of the knitting, as well as checking tension pieces (although a ruler is more accurate for this).
Wool sewing needle
This should be blunt-ended with a large eye for easy threading. Do not use a sharp pointed needle as this will split the yarn when joining seams - a round end will slip easily between the stitches.
