When starting a new project, I always make sure that my needles are of good quality. This is because I really treasure the process of knitting, and want to enjoy it as much as I enjoy the product of my work. Working in a local yarn store has really opened my eyes to what a difference your knitting needles can make in your whole experience. Knitting with my favorite needles, the Addi Turbo needles, always makes my projects more enjoyable.
Material type is the most important element of a knitting needle. My favorites are metal, brass, and nickel, as they are the most comfortable in the hands and slide the yarn well from one needle to the other. While I find them a little clunky, bamboo needles can be great for beginners as it minimizes the number of dropped stitches because it holds onto the yarn very well. The Addi Turbo needles are made from nickel and brass, and really accellerate my knitting.
I would not recommend certain materials in knitting needles, like plastic and aluminum. Acrylic needles and plastic needles feel too light and overly pliable for knitting. Aluminum needles feel like they’re scraping against each other while you’re knitting.
Something I do recommend is knitting all your projects on circulars. My co-workers make all of their projects on circular needles. You will find that you have more control than you do knitting with straight needles. Your projects will have more room on the long cord than they do on straights.
Because of this, I recommend using an interchangeable needle set. These sets come with needles of many different sizes and different lengths of cord. Choose the needle size you want, and then twist it into the correct cord size for your project. Addi carries a three sets of interchangeable needles called Addi Clicks. You can get Clicks in the the traditional Addi Turbo needle, lace needles (made completely from brass), and bamboo. You never have to go and find a needle size again when you have a set. It also makes finding your gauge that much easier.
In circular needles, the quality of the cord is very important. The join where the needle meets the cord should be very smooth, so the yarn doesn’t “catch.” Cord pliability is also important. In a set, the cord and the needle should always stay fully locked and never twist.
If you need to find the right needle size for a project, consult your pattern. Needle size is usually found in the “Materials” section of your pattern, at the beginning of the page. Look at the tag on your ball of yarn if you’re not knitting from a pattern for a general size to use.
Try as many types of needles as possible! You may agree with me that metal, nickel, and brass is the way to go, or you may prefer something entirely different. Whatever your preference, Addi comes in many different materials, so there will always be a product for you.. The important thing is to always enjoy the process of knitting, so you treasure the product even more!
Head over to my Addi Turbo site to get started! To purchase a set, check out my Addi Clicks site!