| You have many options to choose from when buying | | | | metal needles. |
| knitting needles. Not only do you have to decide on | | | | Plastic or Acrylic: These needles are light weight, |
| what type you need, but you also have to choose | | | | flexible and inexpensive. They usually have a different |
| what type of material the needles are made from. | | | | colour for each size the needle comes in, especially |
| Both decisions are influenced by what you will be | | | | when they are sold as sets. |
| knitting and by personal preference. To help you out, | | | | Types of Needles: |
| here is a brief description of these two factors. | | | | There are three main types of needles: circular, double |
| Materials Used For Needles: | | | | pointed and straight. Each type of needle is used to |
| Knitting needles are made from a variety of materials. | | | | produce different results, often referred to as flat or |
| The type of material used provides friction that will | | | | circular. Flat knitting creates flat pieces, such as |
| influence how easy the stitches come off the needle. | | | | scarves, while circular knitting creates circular pieces or |
| Sometimes a needle that is rougher is preferred so | | | | tubes without seams. Some needles can only produce |
| that the stitches don't slip off the needle accidentally; | | | | one type of result, while others can create several |
| while other times speed is important and a smoother | | | | different types of results. |
| needle is required. | | | | Circular: Circular needles have two needles at both |
| Wood: These needles have a rough surface. They are | | | | ends with a flexible cable in the middle. The cable is |
| light weight and considered environmentally friendly | | | | long, anywhere from 24 to 60 inches. The needles at |
| because it comes from a renewable resource. | | | | the end are short, inflexible and have tapered ends. |
| Bamboo is a popular choice when buying wood | | | | They make it easy to add new stitches, while the |
| needles. Bamboo is particularly environmentally friendly | | | | cable holds the stitches after they have been added. |
| because it can grow as fast as 3-4 feet in a single | | | | When knitting with circular needles, hold one end in |
| day. | | | | each hand. The advantage of circular needles is that |
| Metal: Metal needles are very smooth. This allows the | | | | they can hold hundreds of stitches, the stitches won't |
| stitches to easily slip off one needle and onto another | | | | fall off the needles and the flexible cord in the middle |
| needle. Experienced knitters who want to complete | | | | can rest on the knitter's lap so that the weight of the |
| their project very quickly prefer this type of needle. | | | | stitches is not felt. Circular needles can be used for flat |
| Metal needles are very durable and hard to break. | | | | or circular knitting. |
| Aluminium is the most common type of metal used for | | | | |