Every knitter should at least have the following in their tool kit: (and if you don’t make sure and put it on your next birthday or Christmas wish list)
1. A blunt ended bodkin or large eyed needle for weaving in ends and sewing articles together. A blunt end is much easier to use than sharp as it tends
to weave through the article without splitting the fibre.
2. A ruler with knitting needle gauge and a stitch gauge.
3. A measuring tape, small and retractable is nice but any tape that is has
not been used to where it is no longer an accurate measure, will do.
4. A crochet hook, size dependent on what weight of yarn you normally knit. For years I have managed well with a 3.5 or 4. For light weight yarns such
as socks I tend to just use my knitting needle to pick up dropped stitches.
5. A small pair of scissors.
6. Nail file for filing finger nails that are a threat to that fine lace you are
working on.
7. A good hand cream that does not leave a residue that will deposit
on your fibre.
Knitting Needles
Having knit for years, I have a fine collection of knitting needles. Some of these
needles are even made from the handles of Rogers syrup pails. Those belonged
to my husband’s grandmother. I have yet to knit socks on them (they are about
12 inches long) but vow someday I will give it a go. Most of these needles are
plastic, various colors and sized in the old Canadian system. They have been
relegated to a container that is somewhat of a dust collector. Why? The
unknowing may ask. Well let me tell you, after this many years I deserve to
knit with the best, and THAT is not it.
So, what is the best? In my opinion a good bamboo needle is the best all around
value. These needles are relatively inexpensive and very kind to the wool and
the hands. Addi turbos are great for most yarns, but a little too “quick” for
some yarns. Also, they tend to be higher in price. Having said that, I do have
quite a collection. When I introduced them to my mother, she was a bit
skeptical, however on a recent visit I asked if I could borrow a circular needle
that she would not be needing back for awhile. She brought out a tube of
plastic circular needles and said take them all; I don’t use those cheap things
anymore. In addition to the feel of the needle and the quality of the cord on
circulars, the bamboo, wood and newer metal needles all warm up. This helps
keep our hands from hurting. When I first heard this I thought it was an urban
legend, not so my friends. I have sold many bamboo needles to people who had
quit knitting because of sore hands only to start again after trying their first set
of bamboo needles.
Needle length: Shorter tends to be a better choice than longer. Longer needles
are hard to handle, stick out of your bag, and poke that non-knitter sitting too
close to you. You want to have enough room on your needle to hold your article
but not much more than that.
Circular versus straight or double pointed. Circulars are more versatile than
DPNs. With 2 circulars of the same size (not necessary to be the same length)
you can knit anything you can knit on 4 or 5 DPNs and the chances of the
stitches coming off a circular needle are far less than of a set of DPNs. On one
circular you can knit anything you would knit on 2 straight (single point)
needles. In fact a circular will hold more stitches than a straight. So, if your
budget is limited (like most of us) your best investment is probably a bamboo
circular needle. Oh, they do not stick out of your knitting bag ready to become
a weapon or be pulled on by some mischievous child!!!!
