Ever wondered how the warm colorful sweater that you adore was made? Well, the art behind this creative work is called Knitting.
Knitting is the art of constructing fabric on needles, by inter looping of one or more yarns in several series of connected loops hanging on and supported by one another. Knitting can be done either by hand or by machine which is a very helpful knitting supply as we can finish the product at a much lesser time as compared to knitting with hands.
Knitting Supplies for faster time management: Every knitter, whether a beginner or experienced, needs a few basic materials to knit fast. There are so many knitting supplies that you can get in the market these days for this purpose. Start with these necessities and then add to your collection of knitting supplies as you create your own fabric.
Knitting needles:
They are used in pairs to produce to the knitted fabric. They come in a variety of sizes and are pointed at one end and have a knob at the other end to retain the stitches. They come in a range of different lengths and sizes. Plastic needles can become brittle if not used for some time. It is useful to have a range of needle sizes so tension squares can be knitted and needle sizes changed to obtain the correct tension for the project being worked. Choose a length that will hold the stitches required for the project and that you feel comfortable working with. If possible buy a complete set of needles with a case to keep them in, so that you will always have on hand the size required for any project.
Needle gauges:
These knitting supplies are punched with holes corresponding to needle sizes and are marked with the old numerical sizing as well as metric sizing so any needle size can be checked easily. The needle size corresponds to the smallest hole it can go through
A ruler or tape measure:
This knitting supply is used to check tension squares, when working to a measurement and to check the overall measurement of a completed project. For best results always measure work on a flat surface ensuring that the work is not stretched before measuring
Wool, sewing or knitter's needles:
These knitting supplies are used to sew completed pieces of knitting together. They are large with a broad eye for easy threading and a blunt point that will slip between the knitted stitches without splitting or fraying the yarn. A tapestry needle is also suitable
A row counter:
It is used to count the number of rows that have been knitted. It is a cylinder with a numbered dial that is pushed onto the needle and is turned at the completion of each row. This is especially helpful when working long pattern repeats
Double pointed needles:
It has points at both ends and is sold in sets of four. Double pointed needles are used in a set of four for neckbands or socks
Cable needles:
These are short needles with points at both ends. They are used to hold the stitches of a cable to the back or front of the main body of the knitting to form a cable pattern. They generally come in three thicknesses and can be either straight or with a U bend to stop stitches slipping off. Use a cable needle smaller than the needles you are using if possible as this will prevent stretching the stitches.
Stitch holders:
They resemble large safety pins and are used to hold stitches while they are not being worked e.g. Stitches are left on a stitch holder at the neck to be picked up later for a neckband
Yarn bobbins:
They are shaped pieces of plastic onto which you can wind short lengths of yarn. Where two or more colors are used in a row, it can be difficult to avoid the yarn tangling. Using bobbins keeps the yarns separate by allowing them to hang at the back of work. They are also used for picture knitting.
Pins:
They come with a colored glass head (if possible) to avoid losing them in the knitting, are used to mark the tension swatch and also when picking up stitches evenly along an edge (to mark sections)
Point protectors:
They are available in different sizes. They slip on the points of your needles when you put your knitting down. They keep your stitches from falling off the ends of the needles
Circular needles:
They consist of two short needles, joined by a flexible length of plastic. The plastic varies in length, shorter lengths for neckbands etc. and longer lengths for shawls or garments with too large a number of stitches to be worked from two needles. Circular needles are used when knitting in rounds or they can be used to knit in rows to accommodate a large number of stitches.
These knitting supplies help you create what you might have thought was impossible for you to do before you came across these magical tools. The time that it takes to knit with plain knitting needles only is shortened, thanks to these great tools.
You will know that the time spent by you was worth it when you will see your loved ones wearing the warm sweater or the cap you had made using the knitting supplies. So, what are you waiting for! Don’t wait till next winters. Go get your knitting tools today, so that next Christmas you can gift all your dear one’s the warm clothing’s you would have made for them using your magic knitting tools.
