I was in the local craft store in my favourite isle and I realized that there are an abundance of choices for knitting needles. There are shelves hidden behind shelves full of these needles. Being a knitter, I know what I’m looking for and all these choices and options thrill me somehow. But for a beginner starting their first project, this is most likely overwhelming. Straight needles range in size from US 0 to US 15, there are circular needles which also come in those sizes but also come in different lengths and then there are double pointed needles (DPNs), also in all of those sizes. And to top all of that, all of them come in three different materials: wood, aluminum and plastic.
My first pair of needles where aluminum size US 7 in purple. I bought them many years ago and all I remembering caring about was that they were purple. But the more I used them, the more I didn’t like them. They were slippery and sticky all at the same time. I would have to try hard to move my stitches, which more often resulted in them slipping off the needle. Could have been my lack of experience at the time, but more than likely it was those darn needles.
My mother was happy with my interest in knitting, I mean we now have another knitter in the family. So for Christmas one year she bought me a set of straight plastic needles in all sizes, well sizes US 3 to US 15. I loved these needles, and still use them to this day. There are extra long, perfect for blankets and wide projects. There not slippery or sticky, and my stitches never ‘accidentally’ fall off. Sometimes, with the larger ones, I can feel them bend slightly. And I worry that one day I will break it. I know it is doubtful, but I am clumsy and by no means gentle, so it is in the realm of possibility.
Then one day while I was visiting my parents, I realized I left all my needles back home. What horror! This is when I bought my first pair of wooden needles. And boy, they are awesome! They are quiet, my yarn slips up and down the needle effortlessly and they look wonderful. Even after a few year of use, they still remain in tip top condition (the plastic and aluminum ones discolour at the tip). I haven’t been able to find a nice set of wooden needles in a range of sizes, but if I ever do I will snap them up asap!
So if you are a beginner, and overwhelmed by the selection of needles here are my recommendations:
1: Stick to plastic needles. Try not to buy the long ones.
2: Buy either or both of these sizes: US 7 and/or US 8 (or you can check the yarn label, and that will tell you which needle size to buy)
3: Start Knitting!
Happy Knitting,
