The Knitters Thread

Careful_with_that_Axe

I learned to knit last year and have only ever used circulars as I have some problems with hands and arms. I think I wouldn't have been able to knit with normal needles.

Give them a try? Some people seem to be able to adapt better to them than others. My Sister can't get used to them at all as they feel "wrong", however another friends has tried them and never looked back.

Kay_Peel

Circular needles changed my knitting life about 4 years ago!

I no longer knit garments that have to be seamed and knitted up from flat pieces. With circular needles I can knit jumpers and dresses all in one piece, starting from the neck down or starting from the bottom up.

It's a dream when I come to fitting jumpers or dresses. I put the stitches onto a length of wool and get the person to try it on. I can then work out where to put darts for the bust or the ease for the hips/bottom. Young men particularly like to be able to get the shape they want across the chest (to show off their muscles!) rather than end up with a baggy obviously handknitted thing. With a flat knit jumper you have to wing it and hope that it fits. With circular knitting you can customise and adjust as you go along.

Some circular needles are better than others. You can get cheap bamboo ones from Ebay and they are brilliant. The very best ones are a make called 'Addi' - very smooth, they don't twist and the stitches won't stick - but they are an expensive 'investment' if you do a lot of knitting.

blueberrypie

Kay_Peel wrote: »

Some circular needles are better than others.

Oh definitely! The ones that all the yarn stores seem to carry are horrible - the needle bit isn't nice and the cords are far too stiff.

You can get cheap bamboo ones from Ebay and they are brilliant.

Linky? Or at least brand or seller? Please? :-D

The very best ones are a make called 'Addi' - very smooth, they don't twist and the stitches won't stick - but they are an expensive 'investment' if you do a lot of knitting.

I actually prefer the Knitpics (or Knitpro - same thing) as the cables are more flexible than Addis.

Kay_Peel

Ah yes, Knitpics needles are wonderful to knit with.

Here's a link to the bamboo needles on Ebay. You can buy whole sets, in every possible size or you can get individual ones for a couple of quid. You just have to decide on the length of the cord - I find that 24 or 29 inches are the most versatile. I've bought from different sellers and the needles are all the same - there's no 'make' or 'brand' as such.

I even took a chance and bought cheap bamboo needles from a seller in China. They arrived within 5 days, beautifully wrapped, with a free row counter and a lovely note! They were exactly the same as the ones from the UK. I can't remember what her trading name was, unfortunately.

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?LH_PrefLoc=1&_nkw=circular%20needles%20bamboo&_dmpt=UK_Crafts_Knitting_Crochet_EH&_fln=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m283

nuttywoman

blueberrypie wrote: »

Oh definitely! The ones that all the yarn stores seem to carry are horrible - the needle bit isn't nice and the cords are far too stiff.



Linky? Or at least brand or seller? Please? :-D



I actually prefer the Knitpics (or Knitpro - same thing) as the cables are more flexible than Addis.

This is were i bought my needles

http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/8seasonKnitting__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Very nice lady to deal with, plus good quality products.:D

Unity

blueberrypie wrote: »

I actually prefer the Knitpics (or Knitpro - same thing) as the cables are more flexible than Addis.

Yes, I have the Knitpro and find them great to use I bought mine from https://www.p2tog.com I also have a set of Denise circulars from the States - these are lightweight plastic needles with a twist-locking mechanism to attach the cords. I find these are fine for knitting anything upwards of double knitting thickness, but not so good with finer yarn:(. They are evidently the only system acceptable to all airlines, according to what I've read - although I have never tried taking them on a flight:cool:.

lynseydee

karmacookie wrote: »

I have to confess to someone

I'm supposed to be stashbusting and finishing ufos and have unfinished sewing projects on the go and basically trying to save some money but I've just ordered this, couldn't resist

http://www.valeriandesigns.co.uk/improvers.html

scroll down, cupcake tea cosy. I'm going to make it for my daughter for Xmas, i've been looking for a pattern that I liked and seemed easy for a while. It's knitted on straight needles, I e-mailed to ask. I'd hoped it was in the round then I wouldn't have been able to order it LOL

KC, did you order this in the alpaca yarn or the cheaper dk yarn. I am thinking about ordering the bee one as a birthday present for hubby and not sure if I should go for the more expensive option.

Also how long did it take to come through after ordering?

Careful_with_that_Axe

I use knitpro too - far less memory in the cables than in any of the other circulars I've tried.

I have a bit of a problem. As a novice, I tried to split splice some cotton acrylic yarnn and it's coming undone in the garment. Should I use a couple of threads to sew this into other stitches to stop it coming apart? I'm a novice - you live and learn!

idea

Hi Kay,

Just wanted to say thank you for the advice on the arran wool, i'm planning on going to my local shop on Friday, now I can look on the label and understand what i'm looking for!

nuttywoman

Has anyone bought the dk wool from B & M ? i think its about 89p for 100grm ball. Today i noticed they had big balls of arran wool in 400grm i think but could`nt see the price.
I usually buy 100grm balls from local £1 and its not bad quality.