| td> | | | | put a stop on the ends and use them for flat knitting. |
| Before you begin knitting it is important to get prepared. | | | | Knitting Accessories |
| This includes knowing what equipment you need and | | | | There are a large number of knitting accessories that |
| getting it all prepared before you begin. We are going | | | | you may or may not need for a pattern but here are |
| to look at the basic accessories as well as some | | | | some details for you: |
| other essentials that you may need. | | | | 1. Cable Needles - these are small, double pointed |
| Knitting Needles | | | | needles that are needed of you are going to a |
| Obviously the most essential piece of equipment you | | | | garment that includes any cable at all. The stitches can |
| will need are knitting needles. The needles you choose | | | | easily be slipped on to the small needle and held at the |
| will depend not only on the type of knitting you are | | | | front of back of your work, depending on the pattern, |
| doing but also your budget and preference. Knitting | | | | while you knit other stitches. |
| needles come in a variety of different materials, types | | | | 2. Row Counters - these are an invaluable tool and |
| and sizes. The common materials you will see needles | | | | should always be used in my opinion. They slip on to |
| in are plastic, metal, bamboo and a variety of wood. | | | | the end of your needles and can be turned round to |
| Usually you will find that plastic needles are the | | | | indicate the number of rows you have completed. |
| cheapest but also can be harder to knit with due to | | | | They will ensure you don’t lose your place, just |
| the lack of quality. The Bamboo and wooden needles | | | | make sure you remember to update them. |
| can vary significantly in cost depending on the quality | | | | 3. Crochet Hooks - these can be used in a number of |
| but are usually fantastic to knit with. There are also | | | | techniques including adding edging to a garment. They |
| different types of needles that you need to be aware | | | | are also invaluable as a tool for picking up dropped |
| of and they are detailed below: | | | | stitches. |
| 1. Straight Knitting Needles - these are standard knitting | | | | 4. Stitch Holders - these are like giant safety pins and |
| needles that can only be used for doing flat knitting. | | | | are used to hold stitches while you work on another |
| They are the most common type of needles and | | | | area of a garment. |
| what most people think of when they think of knitting. | | | | 5. Markers - these come in a variety of forms but can |
| They come in a pair where each needle has a point at | | | | be slipped on to the needle to show where a change |
| one end and a fixing at the other end. They are | | | | in pattern occurs. |
| straight and come in different lengths, so make sure | | | | 6. Pins - if you are making a garment that has more |
| you get a pair that are long enough for the work you | | | | than one part you will need pins to join them together |
| are doing. | | | | before you sew them. |
| 2. Circular Needles - these can be used for both flat | | | | 7. Wool Needles - these are sewing needles with a |
| knitting and also if you want to make a circular object. | | | | very large eye so that you can thread wool through |
| They are used for a variety of things including, as an | | | | them when joining a garment together. |
| example, the edging of a cardigan where you need to | | | | 8. Tape Measure - this is vital for any knitter to ensure |
| go up one side, round the neck and back down the | | | | your work is the right size. |
| other side. They can also be used for flat knitting | | | | 9. Scissors - every knitter will need a pair of scissors |
| where you have a large number of stitches and | | | | to cut off any lengths of yarn that are remaining once |
| straight needles would be too cumbersome. | | | | all the finishing had been done. |
| 3. Double Pointed Needles - these are the same in | | | | 10. Knitting Bag - it is always a good idea to have a |
| appearance as straight needles but have points at | | | | dedicated knitting bag where you can keep your work |
| both ends. They usually come in sets of 4 or 5 and | | | | and all of your accessories together when you are not |
| are used for circular knitting. However you can also | | | | knitting. |