www.ukhandknitting.com
Needles
1 pair of 3.25mm (No.10) knitting needles.
1 pair of 4mm (No.8) knitting needles.
Stitch holder


Knitting needles .......
Knitting needles are the most essential item required.
As with knitting yarn there are many different sizes of Knitting needles.
The different sizes are used with different weights of yarn.

Straight knitting needles, which come in bamboo, aluminum, plastic or wood, are the most commonly used. They come in varying sizes, from 2mm (the smallest) to 20 mm (the largest) and larger; they are sold in pairs, and generally come in 33cm or 35cm lengths. There is a point at one end of the needle, and a knob at the other, which prevents stitches from slipping off.
See below for different needle sizes.

For large projects like throws, circular knitting needles can be used as straight needle, think of each point as a separate needle, and forget that they are joined with a cord. These are long flexible needles with points at both ends. Some knitters use circular knitting needles on all projects because they prefer them.
Circular needles can be used to create seamless garments. Each circle of stitches is knitted in a round. Rounds are worked without breaks and because the work is never turned, you are always facing the same side, usually the right side.

For smaller projects that do not have seams (socks and mittens) "double-pointed knitting needles" are used. These generally come in sets of four and as their name suggests, there is a point on each end.

   

Knitting Needle Sizes

Metric (mm) Old English No. American Size
2 14 0
2.25 13 1
2.75 12 2
3 11  
3.25 10 3
3.75 9 5
4 8 6
4.5 7 7
5 6 8
5.5 5 9
6 4 10
6.5 3 10.5
7 2  
7.5 1  
8 0 11
9 00 13
10 000 15

 

 

  
Needles and yarn
Metric (mm) Needle Size Yarn used
3.25 4 Ply
3.75  
4 Double Knitting
4.5  
5 Aran
5.5  
6  
6.5 Chunky

As a general rule the table above shows what needles are used with what yarn. This creates a good solid fabric. If you want a looser look use larger needles and if you want a tighter look use smaller needles.

A pattern will always state what needles to use in the paragraph at the beginning and this should always be followed.
However the tension is the most important part in following a pattern and this could mean you have to change needle sizes.