Knitting utilizes a minimum of two needles to manipulate yarn into fabric. Depending on the project, you may wish to use a circular needle or double-pointed needles, often called DPN's. A circular needle takes the standard pair of knitting needles, removes the stopper, and joins them together with a nylon cable. They come in various lengths, as well as an interchangeable set, for all your project needs. Double-pointed needles are needles without the stopper at the end and are used for smaller sized works, or when the work has become too small for circular needles to accommodate.
Like crochet hooks, knitting needles come in a variety of sizes and are measured in millimeter. The size can be found on the packaging as well as on the bottom of the knitting needle (on the stopper portion). When choosing your pattern, please refer to the instructions and consider the needle size, the yarn weight, and the gauge required for the project. It is most important that you follow the gauge set by the pattern, lest the size of the garment you are making be incorrect. If you'd like more information on the weight classes of yarn, kindly refer to the chart below.
Yarn Weight Categories
| Weight | Common Name |
| 1 | Super fine or baby yarn |
| 2 | Fine or sport yarn |
| 3 | Light or light worsted yarn |
| 4 | Medium or worsted yarn |
| 5 | Bulky or chunky yarn |
| 6 | Super Bulky or roving yarn |
| 7 | Jumbo |
| Yarn weights and their common names courtesy of Lion Brand | |
Knitting, in comparison to crochet, yields a much softer and supple fabric. Thus, it is ideally used for garments and plush toys. You can also add a little more flair to your work by incorporating cable stitches with the help of a cable needle, or perhaps some decorative edging, maybe even some hand-knitted lace if you wish! Hats, scarfs, shawls, and blankets are popular knitted items and make for wonderful beginner projects. Spice up your wardrobe with a few knitted pieces or fend off the winter cold with a giant, cozy blanket!
If that isn't enough to persuade you, did you know that knitting has health benefits? It's true! Knitting has been said to decrease stress and even lower blood pressure, among other things. Focusing on the work at hand induces a sort of meditative state, but with tangible, practical results. The best part? This can be accomplished with the simplest of projects, such as a scarf! Also, the sound of knitting is so soothing to listen to, so much so that can be deemed ASMR.
Included below is a sample of knitting using steel needles, use headphones for the best sound.
Yarnspirations is home to many of the major brands of yarn. Check out their beautiful knit patterns and their tutorials which are sure to help you master the basics with ease!
Looking for materials to get you started?
Here are some suggestions that you might enjoy: