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With experience and as a project demands, knitters require circular or double-point needles to "knit in the round" or for distributing the weight
(prHWY.com) September 26, 2012 - USA, AL -- USA, Sep 26, 2012 - With experience and as a project demands, knitters require circular or double-point needles to "knit in the round" or for distributing the weight of a larger project like a blanket or afghan, but investing in good quality wooden needles is invaluable.
Needles & Accessories - If you have less stitches, your tension is too loose and you should try smaller needles. Either way, it is worth trying another tension square to get it right. I used to think of tension checking as not only a waste of time, but also of yarn. I now combat this by labelling (yarn/pattern and needle details) my tension squares and they then serve as a useful reference for future projects.
Sewing up is probably viewed as the most disagreeable part of knitting. All those boring ends to sew in and then making sure the right bits (and rights sides) are together can be particularly tedious - but again, taking that bit of extra time will pay dividends. There are two main stitches used for sewing up; back stitch and mattress stitch. Back stitch gives a good strong seam ideal for curved and horizontal seams such as around armholes and along shoulders.
The process of blocking, basically wetting or steaming the knitted piece(s) to even out the stitches and allow the fibres to adjust and relax into place, is well worth the extra effort. Whilst you won't need to block every piece of knitting, for most garments it can make a huge difference.
Knitting Wool - Using long pins, secure the pieces to the surface starting with the length, then the width and lastly curves and corners. Use a tape measure and check dimensions against pattern guidance regularly and don't be stingy with pins - every few inches will prevent the shapes distorting. Allow the piece(s) to dry naturally. Cautionary note: avoid blocking any ribbed areas unless you want the elasticity of the finished piece to be diminished.
If you are knitting something patterned, work your tension square in the pattern to check the tension. (This also gives you a good indication of whether you're going to like the finished article or not!) Cast off and gently smooth your swatch and pin to a padded surface (ie. a folded towel) making sure you don't over stretch your square.
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Needles & Accessories - We are passionate about everything to do with knitting and will endeavour to help wherever possible. Our aim is to simply offer a good selection of quality branded wools from top suppliers, the latest knitting patterns, knitting needles and accessories
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