Apr 09 2008
Tools of the trade 2
On to the single pointed needles. 
The variations are endless here are too.
- Metallic: Could be any kind of metal. I even found them in silver in the internet. Now, that is absolutely useless. They should be lightweight, to be easy to work with. The weight of the yarn itself will make your wrist tired after a short period of time, you don’t want to battle with swords.
- Bamboo: if you have to use single points, I recommend these. They are really lightweight, and a joy to work with. Smooth and warm feeling on your hand, and they don’t have that sometimes disturbing clicking sound.
- Glass: they are beautiful, and I love to look at them at the internet, but again, weight is an issue here. Though they say it is not heavy glass, I’m not sure. Of course, you have to try before you know. Anyway, if you get them for Xmas, just put them into a nice vase.
DPNS: Double pointed needles. They are used to make things in the round, what is too small to make on circulars: like socks, gloves, hats, etc.
They are also available in all material, size, and length. I really enjoy using them now, since I figured out sock knitting. I was a bit afraid of them before. 5 needles, at one time!! I was sure I couldn’t hadle this. But the fact is, that you actually knit with two, just like you would do with circulars or single points, the other three is only holding the piece’s other parts. If you looking this way, DPNS will never frighten you again.
And these are only the knitting needles. I will have to mention the crochet needles in a separate post.
Oh, and I forgot: there are lighting needles, in case you want to knit in the dark.
No, I’m not joking.
