Needles for knitting and crochet have been made from all sorts of materials. The earliest were probably made from wood and bones such as ivory and walrus tusk. Other antiques have been found made from tortoiseshell and various metals. More modern needles may be found created from plastic, bamboo and glass, along with the traditional woods and steel. The different materials are chosen for their aesthetics, along with other qualities such as smoothness and flexibility. A knitter’s preference for needles may change, depending on the fibers used in each project.
Basic Knitting Needles
Straight needles are the traditional style of needles and have a stopper on the dull end so the work cannot fall off. These are generally used for two-dimensional projects that will lay flat, such as dishcloths and scarves.
Double-point needles can be used from either end and have long been used for creating tube-based items, such as socks and mittens. They are commonly sold in sets and used for patterns that call for knitting in the round.
Circular needles were first patented in the U.S. in 1918. Basically a pair of needles with a flexible cord connecting them, they are popular for knitting larger items, such as sweaters, but may be used for most anything.
Size Matters
The gauge of the needles or hook chosen will change from one undertaking to the next. Needle & Skein is your local St. Louis Park shop where you can find the best size for your needs. The tightness of an individual’s stitches along with the size of the yarn used will influence the choice of needle size. The current record holder for the largest needles are over 11 feet long and 2 ½ inches in diameter. The smallest, on the other hand, are the size of toothpicks, used to make lace and doll accessories.
Crochet Needles and Hooks
Because crocheting generally creates only one stitch at a time, most all crochet hooks are of a similar length, one that fits comfortably in most hands. The one major exception to this is hooks used for Tunisian Crochet, which must be longer to hold the open stitches of the row until they are closed.
