10 Helpful Tips for Every Knitter

 Every knitter is unique. Be it beginner, intermediate or even an advanced knitter, each one has their own style. Knitting is fun, you get to use your creativity and transform yarn with your knitting needles into a garment or accessory or a wonderful gift for a loved one. If you're new to knitting, you are taught the strings of the craft by a mentor or an online source. But when you gain experience and branch out to for advanced knitting projects, you will need to keep a few knitting tips in mind for a smooth crafting experience. Even if you are a beginner working with basic knitting projects, there are a few tips that can help you get started and make your knitting journey more enjoyable.

1. Practice makes perfect

Knitting is not just about the finished product, it's also about the process. Enjoy the feeling of the yarn running through your fingers, the rhythm of the needles, and the sense of accomplishment when you complete a project. Knitting takes practice, so don't get discouraged if your first few projects don't turn out perfectly. With practice you'll improve over time.

2. Choose the right yarn

Different yarns have different properties, so choose a yarn that's appropriate for your project. If you are making socks, the yarn requirement is different than when you are making a blanket, therefore before you begin a project consider factors like fiber content, weight, and texture. This will help you work faster and smoothly.

3. Use the right tools

The right tools is the main reason for the success of your project. Get started with right knitting needles. This means not just the size and type mentioned by a pattern designer, but by also making a gauge swatch. If you are going to go back and forth, work with single pointed needles or circulars (of the right length). If it’s knitting in the round, the iotions are double pointed needles (DPNs), circular knitting needle (a size smaller than the circumference of the project), two circulars or magic loop technique (with a length that is between 32” to 47”.

Besides, work with stitch markers, measuring tapes, wool needles, blocking tools, etc.

4. Read the pattern carefully

Before you start knitting, read the pattern carefully to make sure you understand the instructions. Pay attention to things like gauge, stitch counts, and shaping instructions.

5. Take breaks

Knitting can be relaxing, but it's important to take breaks to avoid hand and wrist strain. Take breaks every 30 minutes or so to stretch your hands and rest your eyes.

6. Don't hesitate to ask for help

If you're stuck on a pattern or technique, don't be afraid to ask for help. There are many online resources and knitting communities that can provide support and advice. Even for small knitting mistakes, get help. Mistakes happen, even to experienced knitters. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, and don't be too hard on yourself when they happen. They can be fixed or even incorporated into your design. Knitting accessories are a great help to smooth knitting experience and avoid mistakes. Work with stitch markers to avoid common knitting mistakes. You can also keep a handy repair hook or crochet hook for dropped stitches. Learning to tink (unknit) can also be helpful to correct your silly mistakes.

7. Have fun

Knitting should be fun, so choose projects that you enjoy and don't be afraid to experiment with new techniques and patterns.

With these helpful tips, continue enjoying the craft of knitting! With Knitter’s Pride explore the widest range of knitting needles and knitting accessories. From stitch markers to wool winders, handy repair hooks to scissors, bags and cases to keep you organized, get ready for a smooth knitting experience.

Source: https://www.flokii.com/blogs/view/85523

Straight VS Circular Knitting Needles

Knitting needles come in a variety of styles, sizes and materials. You can knit with any pair of needles, but for best results, you must choose that works best for you. Knitting with straight or circular needles doesn't affect the difficulty or ease but depends on a specific pattern or project. You can definitely knit with both types of needles but it's a personal choice when working on a specific project. There is no discussion on straight versus circular, it is based on the pattern requirement and also in a way the comfort or skill levels of knitters.

Let’s explain with an example. If you want to knit a sweater you can make it on any knitting needle. You can knit it back and forth and then seam the back and front as well as sleeves or you can knit round from the neckline or from the bottom. Both needles will create a perfect sweater but the comfort of working with them entirely lies with you.

In this blog, the reference of needles changes; it is not the design of the needle but the pupose of knitting. For knitting back and forth the options are single-pointed as well as circular needles. And, for circular knitting, you would require double-pointed needles as well as circular needles.

What is the difference between straight and circular? 

To start with, remember that all knitting needles are in a way straight; they are with pointy tips, smooth surfaces, shaped like the magic wand. The needles and tips are pointed to work with all types of yarn. In the category of straight needles, you can count both single-pointed as well as double-pointed needles while circular needles come in varieties of fixed and interchangeable ones. But, when it comes to using and basically knitting style straight is referred to as knitting back and forth while circular is referred to as knitting in rounds. When knitting flat pieces, you need to work the project in rows. The straight needle's long shape can result in heavier needles that stress your hands and wrists. Also, sometimes, it can be difficult to cast as many stitches on straight needles because of the limited space available.

Similarities between knitting with straights and circulars

Though the double-pointed needles (DPNs) are also straight they can be used for circular knitting. The set of five needles works together, with 3 or 4 needles creating a perimeter and the extra needle used for knitting. But, it also does not mean that you cannot knit back and forth with it. Many advanced knitters knit up a swatch or small projects with two needles of the set.

Circular knitting needles perform the same tasks as straight ones. They can be used to knit flat pieces and work in rows as well as patterns that are worked in the round. The needle tips are shorter in comparison to straights resulting in lighter needles. The flexible cord that lies attached to the tips carries the weight of the project. The cord length in the case of interchangeable circular needles can be switched which gives freedom to work with as many stitches as the pattern demands. You can knit a pair of socks and even a blanket with the same needle as long as you have the right cord length. Also, the circulars along with cords can be rolled up, making them convenient while storing or on the go. 

Now, that we’ve discussed everything about straight and circular knitting needles, get ready to cast on your projects. A knitter can choose to express their creativity and make a knitted fabric in any way they want. Like every knitter is unique so are knitting needles, so it best to have them all in your craft collection!

Knitter’s Pride has the widest range of knitting needles, crochet hooks and accessories. The knitting needles cater to beginner to advanced knitters. Explore single pointed needles or sets of double points (DPNs) or fixed circulars or interchangeable circular needles and sets. Available in standard sizes in materials such as bamboo, wood, stainless steel, metals, acrylics and more.