What length needles should I get for beginning knitting?
I picked up a set of size 8, 14 inches, but they feel really long. I have acrylic worsted yarn, and plan on (probably) just making swatches to start, then maybe a hat or a scarf. Is the length of the needle OK, or should I get something shorter? And when would one use circular needles?
The length of the needles is fine. I still have the 14″ needles I learned to knit on when I was 7 years old. There are different styles of holding the needles, and for some styles the extra length is required. I don’t hold the needles this way http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VuVkrdENFME/Rc5uP_S_Q3I/AAAAAAAAADk/tyNzujrmZJQ/s400/long+needle+tucked+under+arm.jpg , but some people do.
This many decades down the road, if I were to be learning all over again, I would use circular needles, the longest I could find. Circular needles are the most adaptable: You can use them for long projects or short projects, flat projects or circular (“in the round”) projects, straight projects such as scarves or radiating projects such as hats or doilies. You can use the entire length of the circular needle or pull the excess out of the way (“magic loop”). Here are additional arguments for circs: http://techknitting.blogspot.com/2007/01/circular-needles-back-and-forth-round.html
To me, the best site on the Internet for help for a beginning knitter is KnittingHelp.com (http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/learn-to-knit ). The best text reference is at the Lion Brand site (http://cache.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&learnToKnit=1 ).
What to knit is a totally individual matter. Some people prefer to knit swatches until they feel comfortable and competent. Some people need a real item as a goal, so they select a project (typically a scarf or a washcloth) and knit it–even if all they can do with it when it’s done is display it as an art object.
KA Standard Switch Exchangeable Circular Needle Set review
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Bamboo Crochet Hooks 12 Sizes, 3 Sets Packed Wholesale $29.89 Our Bamboo Crochet Hooks come in 12 Sizes. It contains 12 Soft Touch crochet hooks in size: 3.0MM, 3.5MM, 4.0MM, 4.5MM, 5.0MM, 5.5MM, 6.0MM, 6.5MM, 7.0MM, 8.0MM, 9.0MM, 10.0MM, which is made of superior bamboo. Economic price for 3 Sets(36 Pcs). … |
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Harrisville Designs Potholder $12.68 Do you remember making potholders when you were a kid? It’s as much fun as ever with this classic craft kit. In addition to a sturdy, 7-square-inch metal loom, the kit includes simple instructions, a plastic hook, and enough cotton loops to make three to four potholders. (You also get a form for ordering additional loops.) Children learn basic weaving skills while building hand-eye coordination a… |
