What is the Perfect Sized Needle for Knitting
October 31, 2011 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments OffThe perfect sized needle for knitting has multiple answers.
Are you making a garment and following a pattern? If so, then you need the size needle that will give you the correct number of stitches per inch (gauge) so the garment will fit correctly.
If you are just learning to knit, then a size eight is a good size to use with worsted weight yarn in a light color. This combination will help the beginner see each stitch easily; makes the needles easy to handle and the worsted weight yarn will fit the needles nicely.
When you are knitting socks, lace shawls or lacy fingerless mitts, then you will need a smaller needle to match the yarn. You need small sized needles, usually sizes zero to three, when knitting socks in sock-weight yarn to have a dense enough fabric that will wear well.
When you are using bulky yarn, the needle size should increase to at least a size ten and often up to a size 17. Of course, a large needle and a bulky yarn mean a quick project.
There is no one correct answer to the perfect sized needle for the experienced knitter but probably the best needle size to learn with is a size eight.