knitting must have's

[bruisinraincloud]

I have just started knitting this past year, and I'm trying to get everything that I just MUST have to knit more than one thing (LOL)


I have
5 size 00(US) sock dpns
5 size 1(US) sock dpns
4 size 2(Us) sock dpns
8 size 3 (US) standard dpns
1-29" size 6(US) circular needle

what others would you suggest?

I have a limited income to spend on this, but I need your advice, thanks!

[knottymama]

I'm a magic loop snob.  I'd get yourself a few more long circs.  Maybe 2, 4, 8 and 10?

[bruisinraincloud]

how long do they need to be?

do I need to get another 29" to do magic loop?


sorry to bother, but I want to make sure I am understanding you.

thanks friend!

[CraftyGal13]

I'd say maybe circs in a larger size (8's or 10's).  But I tend to only buy things when I have a pattern in mind, so I don't end up with excess supplies that I never end up using.

[Skellerz]

how long do they need to be?

do I need to get another 29" to do magic loop?


sorry to bother, but I want to make sure I am understanding you.

thanks friend!

I've been told that it's really hard to magic loop on shorter than a 24" cause the cable resists.
I would assume that probably 29-40" would be your best bet.

[eatyerhartout]

I would certainly buy some more circs. They can be used as straights (and much more comfortably, too!) or to make objects in the round. I'd say at least US size 8 circs, probably in 29". They're called for in most projects using worsted weight yarn.

Just a little tip I've learned: If you plan to buy various sizes in circular needles, don't bother buying any straights. The circs, for most people, are far more comfortable to work with, easier to carry/travel with, and and are very light weight. They can also be used for all sorts of projects (anything you can do on straights as well as projects in the round).

[stripey_cat]

I don't like circular needles!  Try both and see which you prefer, would be my advice. 

What sort of things do you want to try your hand at?  I like DK or light aran weight for hats, so I have 4, 4.5, and 5 mm dpns (ideally 6 or 7 inch, to stop me dropping stitches!).  If you find heavy yarns or needles awkward, you may not need anything bigger than that.  If you want to make jumpers, you'll need straights, long dpns, or circulars to match whatever weight yarn you want to use.

A complete set of needles will fill a large box - I have a fair-sized tote-full, and still don't always have the perfect needle for the job.  If you like circs, an interchangeable set can help, but you'll still find that occasionally the yarn you want to use doesn't cooperate with the tips you have (wrong pointiness or amount of friction) and you're off hunting for the just-so needle once more.

If you're on a budget, look in charity shops.  A lot round here have a pot of needles (between 20p and 50p a pair seems the going rate).

K.

[knottymama]

how long do they need to be?

do I need to get another 29" to do magic loop?


sorry to bother, but I want to make sure I am understanding you.

thanks friend!

I've been told that it's really hard to magic loop on shorter than a 24" cause the cable resists.
I would assume that probably 29-40" would be your best bet.

yes, i agree

[knottymama]

I would certainly buy some more circs. They can be used as straights (and much more comfortably, too!) or to make objects in the round. I'd say at least US size 8 circs, probably in 29". They're called for in most projects using worsted weight yarn.

Just a little tip I've learned: If you plan to buy various sizes in circular needles, don't bother buying any straights. The circs, for most people, are far more comfortable to work with, easier to carry/travel with, and and are very light weight. They can also be used for all sorts of projects (anything you can do on straights as well as projects in the round).

i agree

[mooshie]

I guess it depends on what you want to do, but I personally love my options from knitpicks.  I have lots of sizes I'll need for most projects, and I find that I prefer to use a round needle as opposed to straights anyway.  I also prefer magic loop as opposed to dpns, and having just completed a sweater doing both sleeves in the round using magic look I'd sugguest maybe a 40" cable if you decide to go with an interchangeable set.  I did my sleeves on a 32", and really thought that a few more inches would've been nice.  so I'm thinking that if you wanted to do socks 2 at a time then a longer cable would be good.  I plan to order one when I order my sock yarn. 

that being said, if you find that you prefer straight needles, I'd sugguest sizes 4 through 10 in straights.  I haven't really been knitting all that long, but I have made a variety of projects, and looked at tons of patterns, and have found that MANY projects call for needles in this size range.  in fact I was worried about not using some of the sizes in my KPs, but so far the only size I haven't used are the 11's and I plan to use them on a planned project soon as well.  I wouldn't worry about having needles go unused.  I'm sure with time you'll use just about every size.  and you could keep the reciept and return what you find you won't use.

sorry this got so long. good luck finding what works for you.