This is such an interesting topic. At the risk of showing my age (!) when I was a girl and my mother taught me to knit, needle sizes seemed to be practically written in stone. If you were using DK then you used "No. 8" (that's 4mm to younger viewers!). Always. If you had Aran weight yarn it was "No.7", or 4.5mm. Always. It just was. Thank goodness knitters (including me) became more adventurous! [edited for typo]
@@YvonneWilson312 Hi! I just found a pair of Aero needles at the charity shop near my flat!! just started to learn how to knit with them yesterday, pretty excited about that (i'm wholly unprepared. all i got is this one pair of needles, one skein of dk weight yarn, UA-cam and a dream). it's written "4" on them and up until now I was sure that meant 4mm, they look about that size as well. If you see this comment: any insight? did they change the sizing 'language' and ditch the n° in favour of the mm at some point?
My early days of knitting I would knit purl very loose a seasoned knitter suggested a smaller needle for just the purl line... It worked! Smooth and even stocking stitching!
Yes, that's a great tip for anyone who knits knit and purl differently. Thanks! I remember trying that years ago, but haven't had the problem for a while now. Happy knitting 🧶
after watching this about needles, l bought some bamboo ones, and OMG what a difference, light as a feather, l also as suffering a bit with my shoulder, absolutely love them thankyou hannah 1😊😊
I started knitting about 7 years ago and I quickly discovered circular knitting needles, which I much prefer over straight needles. They never jab me or my loved ones while I’m knitting and my hands don’t get as tired using them. I have several interchangeable circular knitting needle sets and I absolutely love them. Have you ever tried circulars?
Yes, I do have circulars and use them sometimes for projects with more stitches, but I do prefer single-pointed straight needles for most projects - that's just me. Happy knitting 🧶
Thank you - you are so clear and concise. So many other topics I would love you to cover. Eg tutorial on brioche stitch. Tutorial on binding on from a piece of work - between the stitches!! Loved this talk - I have short bamboo - love them; circular - not very good for 10mm knitting; long bamboo - good for heavier stuff. Like plain old straight needles best.
My ex wife and i used to knit, mainly in bed in the evenings. I still knit now, 30 years later. I make my own wooden needles also. Yes size does matter. She would say to me before we started "long and thin goes too far in but short and thick does the trick". I didn't understand this at the time, probably why she left me? Anyway, thank you for a great video, sometimes it takes another woman to keep us men going. Ive just made some 6mm needles from some old wooden archery arrows, cut to length, pointed and chamfered down finished with Danish oil. I kept the original Fletching on the other end to act as a stop. This does act as a conversation starter! ;however i remain single still. Ive developed a identity crisis though. One moment im Tom Daley (yes,he knits), the next im Robin Hood. Ive just ordered some Exmoor horn wool, as i live in Devon. For me it was fairly expensive but im planning to make someone a shawl with it. My balls should arrive tomorrow so im hoping to get it finished by Christmas to impress her. Wish me luck! Liked and subscribed ❤
Good idea, to upcycle some archery arrows! I got some hand turned needles recently but the point was too long, so actually quite uncomfortable to knit with. Definitely worth the effort to perfect it for easier knitting. Happy knitting 🧶
@@KnitWithHannah thank you for your reply. I think my wool is great but I've used some smaller needles as it is a bit smaller than expected. I enjoy making my own when i can. To me it is all part of crafting. I also enjoy sewing and have made a set of needles from bone. Managed to get a nice piece of fabric and made a chest guard for my archery. Always looking at others replies for top tips!
My circular needles broke, the cord disconnected from the needle. I want to replace it but not sure what size it is. I have a ruler with holes and the needle fits the hole that says 5.00 on the right side of the hole but on the left side it says 8 then a space and 6 So what size needle do I order???
Ack! That’s a complex question! Depends on how old the needle sizer is. It maybe millimetres, US old size and UK size for the needles. If that’s the case, it could be 5mm, 8US , 6UK. Put it in Google, a chart will likely come up at the top of the page.
That is a very interesting video. One question I have is about gauge. I can never get the gauge as recommended in a pattern. I always have to go up at least two needle sizes higher than the size suggested. For example, a pattern suggested a six mm needle and to make a swatch to verify if I would knit 18 sts per 4”. After making three swatches I got gauge using an 8 mm needle. I completed the first slipper which was supposed to fit my aunt. Well it literally looked like the foot of an elephant. I was a disappointed as I followed all the instructions. So I took it as a sign that maybe I should knit her more facecloths and forget completely making slippers. My question is when do I follow gauge and when do I simply follow the knitting needle size recommended in the pattern? Thank you Hannah.
Gauge is a difficult one to get, I'd suggest knitting for longer and more regularly once you can. Tension does come with practice, so that it evens out over the project. Issue might also be the pattern, I've had problems with free or cheaper patterns that aren't fully tested. Happy knitting 🧶
What does the expression mean, "straight as a Number 3 knitting needle"? Is it crooked or curved sometimes ? Maybe equivalent to, "honest as the day is long".
It will depend on where you are I would imagine, I've not heard of this before myself. If you're in the UK the smaller numbers, 1, 2 and 3 were thicker, but if you're using numbered needles from the US or elsewhere the numbers work in opposite directions. the needles with smaller numbers were thinner - thinner needles are more likely to bend, with the weight of knitting on them and maybe just from the motion of knitting and how the hand holds them. So that's probably how it came to be a phrase you might come across I would think. Happy knitting! 🧶
Thanks Hannah, anther great video. Could you do a similar one comparing the different sorts of wool? I've been knitting for years and I still don't really know the difference between chunky, bulky, worstead etc. And what exactly is 3 ply used for??
This is a fun topic, for sure. I've a full playlist of yarn videos already, which will answer a lot of your questions: ua-cam.com/play/PLnqw36aiAI0iclH8-jW84rmocGwjFj97n.html
I've gotten myself (read picked them for my Christmas present) interchangeable circular needles so hopefully they'll cover me for everything 🤞 Really enjoying them so far, though just started a baby beanie thinking I'd be using them to knit in the round for the first time, but it is actually using them as a "magic loop". Queue searching UA-cam to find out how 🤦🏼♀️ Should have read the method properly before casting on 🙈
Hi Sarah, you're actually knitting in the round with the magic loop, it's just a technique you'll use to move the stitches. If you want to know more you can find all the circular knitting basics in the Circle Skills course: academy.knitwithhannah.co.uk/circle-skills Happy knitting! 🧶
Another reason for shorter needles, for those of us without pesky people complaining, is that long ones clang off the arm of one's knitting chair! I have recenty purchased several shorter needles for swatching. I mosty knit garments on circulars, but for swatches I find the cable inconvenient
I must admit i always use whatever length i have in my pot! I hate anything longer than 30cm. I really enjoy 25cm length. I have never used big circular needles and don't think i would enjoy knitting so much. I have the tiniest circular needles for socks, that is probably my only pair i have! 😆😆
![The secrets to getting gauge and knitting perfect swatches [5 common mistakes]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ntK-ICmol2E/mqdefault.jpg)
![The secrets to getting gauge and knitting perfect swatches [5 common mistakes]](/img/tr.png)
This is such an interesting topic. At the risk of showing my age (!) when I was a girl and my mother taught me to knit, needle sizes seemed to be practically written in stone. If you were using DK then you used "No. 8" (that's 4mm to younger viewers!). Always. If you had Aran weight yarn it was "No.7", or 4.5mm. Always. It just was. Thank goodness knitters (including me) became more adventurous! [edited for typo]
oh, yes! i had size 8 and size 10 ready to go for pretty much everything I knitted! (I loved those needles so much I still have them) Happy knitting 🧶
@@KnitWithHannah I still have my original ones too! Both Aero!
@@YvonneWilson312 Hi! I just found a pair of Aero needles at the charity shop near my flat!! just started to learn how to knit with them yesterday, pretty excited about that (i'm wholly unprepared. all i got is this one pair of needles, one skein of dk weight yarn, UA-cam and a dream). it's written "4" on them and up until now I was sure that meant 4mm, they look about that size as well. If you see this comment: any insight? did they change the sizing 'language' and ditch the n° in favour of the mm at some point?
My early days of knitting I would knit purl very loose a seasoned knitter suggested a smaller needle for just the purl line... It worked! Smooth and even stocking stitching!
Yes, that's a great tip for anyone who knits knit and purl differently. Thanks! I remember trying that years ago, but haven't had the problem for a while now. Happy knitting 🧶
after watching this about needles, l bought some bamboo ones, and OMG what a difference, light as a feather, l also as suffering a bit with my shoulder, absolutely love them thankyou hannah 1😊😊
Ah glad you found they made a difference! Happy knitting 🧶
I wanted to know what different sized needles would look like and this video is perrfeeccttt 😍 Thank youuu :)
Happy to help! Happy knitting 🧶
I started knitting about 7 years ago and I quickly discovered circular knitting needles, which I much prefer over straight needles. They never jab me or my loved ones while I’m knitting and my hands don’t get as tired using them. I have several interchangeable circular knitting needle sets and I absolutely love them. Have you ever tried circulars?
Yes, I do have circulars and use them sometimes for projects with more stitches, but I do prefer single-pointed straight needles for most projects - that's just me. Happy knitting 🧶
Thank you - you are so clear and concise. So many other topics I would love you to cover. Eg tutorial on brioche stitch. Tutorial on binding on from a piece of work - between the stitches!! Loved this talk - I have short bamboo - love them; circular - not very good for 10mm knitting; long bamboo - good for heavier stuff. Like plain old straight needles best.
Is this one you'd like? : ua-cam.com/video/9NG3Lq6cQcA/v-deo.html
Happy knitting 🧶
Thank you Hannah you helped me so much I can knit properly now I'm knitting a scarf for my granddaughter
Thanks great! Happy knitting 🧶
Good point with the length of the needles.
Thanks for watching! Happy knitting 🧶
My ex wife and i used to knit, mainly in bed in the evenings. I still knit now, 30 years later. I make my own wooden needles also.
Yes size does matter. She would say to me before we started "long and thin goes too far in but short and thick does the trick". I didn't understand this at the time, probably why she left me?
Anyway, thank you for a great video, sometimes it takes another woman to keep us men going.
Ive just made some 6mm needles from some old wooden archery arrows, cut to length, pointed and chamfered down finished with Danish oil.
I kept the original Fletching on the other end to act as a stop. This does act as a conversation starter! ;however i remain single still. Ive developed a identity crisis though. One moment im Tom Daley (yes,he knits), the next im Robin Hood.
Ive just ordered some Exmoor horn wool, as i live in Devon. For me it was fairly expensive but im planning to make someone a shawl with it. My balls should arrive tomorrow so im hoping to get it finished by Christmas to impress her.
Wish me luck!
Liked and subscribed ❤
Good idea, to upcycle some archery arrows! I got some hand turned needles recently but the point was too long, so actually quite uncomfortable to knit with. Definitely worth the effort to perfect it for easier knitting.
Happy knitting 🧶
@@KnitWithHannah thank you for your reply. I think my wool is great but I've used some smaller needles as it is a bit smaller than expected. I enjoy making my own when i can. To me it is all part of crafting.
I also enjoy sewing and have made a set of needles from bone. Managed to get a nice piece of fabric and made a chest guard for my archery.
Always looking at others replies for top tips!
My circular needles broke, the cord disconnected from the needle. I want to replace it but not sure what size it is. I have a ruler with holes and the needle fits the hole that says 5.00 on the right side of the hole but on the left side it says 8 then a space and 6 So what size needle do I order???
Ack! That’s a complex question!
Depends on how old the needle sizer is. It maybe millimetres, US old size and UK size for the needles.
If that’s the case, it could be 5mm, 8US , 6UK. Put it in Google, a chart will likely come up at the top of the page.
That is a very interesting video. One question I have is about gauge. I can never get the gauge as recommended in a pattern. I always have to go up at least two needle sizes higher than the size suggested. For example, a pattern suggested a six mm needle and to make a swatch to verify if I would knit 18 sts per 4”. After making three swatches I got gauge using an 8 mm needle. I completed the first slipper which was supposed to fit my aunt. Well it literally looked like the foot of an elephant. I was a disappointed as I followed all the instructions. So I took it as a sign that maybe I should knit her more facecloths and forget completely making slippers. My question is when do I follow gauge and when do I simply follow the knitting needle size recommended in the pattern? Thank you Hannah.
Gauge is a difficult one to get, I'd suggest knitting for longer and more regularly once you can. Tension does come with practice, so that it evens out over the project. Issue might also be the pattern, I've had problems with free or cheaper patterns that aren't fully tested. Happy knitting 🧶
I’d never thought of this, as I’m a novice, so it was very much so appreciated!
So glad this was helpful for you, happy knitting 🧶
What does the expression mean, "straight as a Number 3 knitting needle"? Is it crooked or curved sometimes ? Maybe equivalent to, "honest as the day is long".
It will depend on where you are I would imagine, I've not heard of this before myself. If you're in the UK the smaller numbers, 1, 2 and 3 were thicker, but if you're using numbered needles from the US or elsewhere the numbers work in opposite directions. the needles with smaller numbers were thinner - thinner needles are more likely to bend, with the weight of knitting on them and maybe just from the motion of knitting and how the hand holds them.
So that's probably how it came to be a phrase you might come across I would think. Happy knitting! 🧶
Thanks Hannah, anther great video. Could you do a similar one comparing the different sorts of wool? I've been knitting for years and I still don't really know the difference between chunky, bulky, worstead etc. And what exactly is 3 ply used for??
This is a fun topic, for sure. I've a full playlist of yarn videos already, which will answer a lot of your questions: ua-cam.com/play/PLnqw36aiAI0iclH8-jW84rmocGwjFj97n.html
@@KnitWithHannah That's great, thanks. I'll have a good look through. Always enjoy your videos.
I started knitting my shawl. I slip first stitch then knit second stitch front and back then knitt
Sounds good! Happy knitting 🧶
I've gotten myself (read picked them for my Christmas present) interchangeable circular needles so hopefully they'll cover me for everything 🤞 Really enjoying them so far, though just started a baby beanie thinking I'd be using them to knit in the round for the first time, but it is actually using them as a "magic loop". Queue searching UA-cam to find out how 🤦🏼♀️ Should have read the method properly before casting on 🙈
Hi Sarah, you're actually knitting in the round with the magic loop, it's just a technique you'll use to move the stitches. If you want to know more you can find all the circular knitting basics in the Circle Skills course: academy.knitwithhannah.co.uk/circle-skills Happy knitting! 🧶
Another reason for shorter needles, for those of us without pesky people complaining, is that long ones clang off the arm of one's knitting chair! I have recenty purchased several shorter needles for swatching. I mosty knit garments on circulars, but for swatches I find the cable inconvenient
Good idea to get shorter needles for swatching, it'll be more convenient for fewer stitches. Happy knitting 🧶
How very interesting topic and very helpful.
Makes perfect sense, as you always do.
Thanks, Suzanne! I so glad you liked this video. Happy knitting 🧶
I must admit i always use whatever length i have in my pot! I hate anything longer than 30cm. I really enjoy 25cm length. I have never used big circular needles and don't think i would enjoy knitting so much. I have the tiniest circular needles for socks, that is probably my only pair i have! 😆😆
Yes, knitting with what you have can be an answer too! Happy knitting 🧶