subject: Essential Equipments and Accessories for Knitting [print this page] Essential Equipments and Accessories for Knitting
Preparation is everything, as the saying goes. The new knitting enthusiast needs to familiarize with the tools of the trade even before starting, just like in any other learning activity. When she or he has learned the basic methods, and has become quite adept in them, then and only then would the artistic bend sink in. The wonders and pleasure of creating something of beauty plus utility would be truly exciting to feel.
The most important and basic of the tools are:
KNITTING NEEDLES
Depending on the project to be pursued, these are available in different configurations, sizes, and materials. Aside from the metallic standard, they also come in plastic or wood, notably bamboo which has pliant qualities. A pair is always required. The style of knitting to be done dictates the type to be used, which are:
Straight Needles - the most common and familiar type which has a point at one end and a fixing at the other end. They can do only flat knitting. The length to be used depends on the work to be done.
Circular Needles - the more versatile type because it can be used both for doing circular objects and for flat knitting of objects with a large number of stitches. It can even do complex designs as when edging a sweater where it will have to go up one side, round the neck, then down the other side.
Double Pointed Needles - same as straight needles but have points on both ends. Sets of 4 or 5 are used for circular knitting. When required, one of the ends may be covered and then used for flat knitting.
CABLE NEEDLES - small double-pointed needles needed to do garments with cables.
WOOL NEEDLES - sewing needles with very large eye for threading wool through
CROCHET HOOKS - used in some techniques like adding some edging
PINS - for joining separate parts of a garment before sewing them together
STITCH HOLDERS - for holding down stitches while working on other areas
ROW COUNTERS - indicates the number of stitches and rows already finished
MARKERS - to show where pattern changes occur
SCISSORS - to cut off extra lengths of yarn after the garment has been finished
TAPE MEASURE - sizing tool
KNITTING BAG - a place to put all these things together to avoid clutter
A lot more aids and helps for the knitter are in the market, and may be useful in some specialized functions for the craft. Those mentioned above are simply the starter essentials.
A FAR LOOK AHEAD
Even when already well experienced, a knitter may be able to do only 25 to 30 stitches a minute. Should she or he plan to commercialize the craft, a way to do around 600 to 1200
stitches per minute already exist: the knitting machine. Current developments are making these machines ever more affordable and portable.
Still, without the firm foundation of studying the craft at the very basic level, the enthusiast is robbed of the full understanding and strong affection necessary for nurturing the skill. It is much, much better to start at the beginning and then slowly develop the mastery.
