Knitting Needles

Knitting needles: What do I have to watch out for?

Knitting is a popular leisure activity that is not only relaxing but also produces great results. Before starting the knitting project, it is important to choose the right knitting needles to make knitting fun.

There are many different types of knitting needles:

• Circular knitting needles - for rounds and rows
• Double-pointed needles - for small rounds
• Jacket pins - for knitting rows

Be sure to choose the thickness of the circular knitting needle to match the yarn. The thinner the yarn or the tighter the knitting pattern, the thinner the needle size should be. For airy patterns and thick wool, choose larger diameters. Each yarn has information on the appropriate needle size on the band. If you knit very tightly, choose a larger needle size - if you knit loosely, choose a smaller size.

The all-rounder among knitting needles: Circular knitting needles

Circular knitting needles have two tips that are connected to each other by a rope of different lengths. You can use them to knit in back and forth rows or in rounds. The needle can therefore be used flexibly for knitting projects in rounds, such as hats, jumpers and jackets, as well as for objects knitted in rows, such as scarves, shawls and blankets.

Circular knitting needles are more popular in Germany than jacket needles (25-40 cm) because of their shorter points (8.5-12.5 cm). The weight of the knitted piece rests on the rope rather than on the needle. This is more comfortable and can be an advantage if you have health problems, because it does not put so much strain on your wrists.

Straight knitting needles - Jacket knitting needles

The classic straight knitting needles, also known as jacket knitting needles, are one of the most familiar forms of knitting needles. They are two straight needles that are about 25 to 40 cm long. Each needle has a point as well as an escapement at the other end to prevent the knitted piece from slipping down. Their straight shape makes them suitable Straight knitting needles especially for making smaller pieces knitted in rows, such as scarves, dishcloths or even cushions.

The classic: The needle play

If you have always wanted to start knitting socks or other knitting projects with small diameters, then Double-pointed needles are just the thing for you.

The classic needle set with its five individual needles between 10 and 23 cm long, each with two points, enable you to knit in particularly small diameters. You pick up the stitches on four needles and knit off the stitches with the fifth. In addition to socks, the needle set is also suitable for cuffs, gloves, hats, sleeves and rolled collars.

addiCraSyTrio: knit rounds with only three flexible needles

It is even easier (especially for beginners) with the addiCraSyTrio. Es besteht aus nur drei, in der Mitte flexiblen Nadeln. Auf zwei Nadeln nehmen Sie die Maschen auf, mit der dritten Nadel wird abgestrickt. With only two needle changes in the round, this makes even the smallest diameters easy to knit and the needles do not slip out of the knitted piece.

The short versions are particularly suitable for small hands and small projects such as socks and cuffs, the long versions are just right for larger hands and are perfect for hats, sleeves or even baby clothes.

What does needle size mean? And which ones are there?

Needle size in knitting refers to the thickness or diameter of the knitting needles. Depending on the yarns used and the knitting project, different needle sizes are needed to achieve a beautiful knitting result.

The thickness of the needle determines how dense or loose the knitted piece will be. The thicker the yarn or wool, the larger the needle size should be so that the knitted piece does not become too tight. Conversely, thinner yarns or wool should be worked with a smaller needle size so that the knitted piece does not become too loose. The needle size is usually indicated on the banderole of the wool or on the packaging and can be from 1.5 mm up to 20 mm or more.

You can see how thick a needle is by looking at the label on the needle. If no imprint can be found, a Needle gauge will provide clarity.

Knitting needles made from high quality materials

Would you like to start knitting or expand your knitting utensils? An important decision concerns the material of your knitting needles. Whether wood, metal, plastic or bamboo - each material has its advantages and disadvantages. Learn more about which material suits you and your project best.

Wooden knitting needles

Knitting needles made of wood are very popular in the knitting scene. Even people who are sensitive to cold will quickly make friends with wooden needles, because the material is pleasantly warm in the hand and is almost silent when knitting. Our recommendation: addiNature Olive Wood - naturally beautiful Olive Wood

They combine the positive properties of high-quality wood with beautiful design. The tips of the knitting needles are particularly pointed due to the hard wood, have a beautiful grain and are therefore absolutely unique. The needles are refined with a natural, vegetable oil. Naturally "Made in Germany".

Sustainable bamboo knitting needles

Bamboo is a particularly light material and just as warm as wood. Our particularly hochwertiger, langsam wachsender Bambus aus einer Region in Japan ist dabei besonders stabil und glatt. Veredelt mit einer Wachs-Oberfläche sind addi Bambusnadeln besonders langlebig.

Comparable to wood, wet hands are no problem with bamboo needles. They are slightly flexible and provide a pleasantly warm hand feeling.

Tip: With bamboo needles it is worth investing a little more money. The quality of these needles differs greatly and is clearly noticeable! Bamboo von schlechter Qualität verbiegen sich leicht, sind stumpf und zerbrechen schneller.

Plastic knitting needles - light and sturdy

Our addiChampagner knitting needles made of plastic are very light and inexpensive, especially in the large sizes (available in 8 to 25 mm). They have a perfectly smooth surface, feel warm to the touch and are very sturdy. The gold coloured plastic knitting needles with champagne glitter for that special look and with super-smooth surfaces for maximum knitting comfort. A good alternative to a metal knitting needle.

Metal knitting needles

Metal knitting needles are sturdy and durable, making them good for everyday use. They have an extremely smooth surface, making knitting more comfortable and faster.

They are available in all thicknesses and lengths - from extremely thin diameters (from 1.5 mm), to particularly short needles, extra fine tips (lace) and very thick diameters (up to 15 mm) in many variations.

Whether with structure like addiNovel or addiUnicorn, made of white-bronzed brass, steel or anodised aluminium- metal needles are very durable companions with perfectly smooth surfaces for fast knitting.