(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best kneeting needles

Match me up!

Sorry I'm a little late to the date, but I'd really like to collaborate!

I have color pencils, water color pencils, pen, anything nature art related, experimental, I'm an artist so just throw me into wherever there's space.

If my partner or partners and I win then I'd really like to have these knitting needles off of my knitting wishlist.

Thank you, this will be really fun!

So I want to start knitting! I took a look at the wiki and this place has amazing resources, thank you mods. I have some pretty standard questions, please help.

Does anyone recommend something specifically to get me started? I want to knit a pair of socks (selected an "easy" pattern from ravelry) and an infinity scarf later on, but for now I'm just planning on following the wiki instructions until I get a sense of what is difficult. I've been thinking of getting one of these needle kits from Amazon, is it advisable/does it make a difference? I read somewhere that wood is better for beginners.

Also, I am in Paris and will do a round at stores to see what I can find, but Amazon shows me the Caron One Pound yarns at around 15 euro. Is this what I should expect to pay? I know it's an import so I assume there's something of similar quality but cheaper here. If there's an European knitting online haven, someone please let me know!

Lastly, what is an absolute must-have yarn? I intend to buy at least one high quality yarn that definitely does not scratch/itch to keep me motivated.

Hm, if she doesn't have a knitting needle set, getting her this https://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Carbonized-2-0mm-10-0mm-Handmade-Creative/dp/B01N0GXO3W/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1542132427&sr=8-13&keywords=Knitting+needle+set or thishttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B076C8SNP1/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B076C8SNP1&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=f0dedbe2-13c8-4136-a746-4398ed93cf0f&pd_rd_wg=wJN4U&pf_rd_r=QXXHA8DZFRGX2B35V74A&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_w=ZpW6b&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pd_rd_r=0cc84efc-e76f-11e8-9d08-d9d8898ba1bb or this one has a case https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019X48NOI/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B019X48NOI&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=f0dedbe2-13c8-4136-a746-4398ed93cf0f&pd_rd_wg=fKudY&pf_rd_r=NF0XYBP6GCRVZ49DW3DG&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_w=09uUj&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pd_rd_r=1d5de9e3-e76f-11e8-b81c-c954e2f69b5e would be good! (yes they're cheap, but you want to start with a cheap set then replace as they break/replace the ones that get used the most often)

Metal tapestry needles are always needed (NEVER get plastic, those suck and tapestry needles are so cheap spending another dollar to get the metal is sooo worth it) Most knitters love these https://www.amazon.com/Clover-3121-Tapestry-Needle-Chibi-x/dp/B0019KBTYG/ref=sr_1_7?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1542132574&sr=1-7&keywords=tapestry+needle but if she's new she might not want bent tips (trips some people up) so you probably want to get these https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Bates-Knitting-Needle-Package/dp/B001AU5VHG/ref=sr_1_17?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1542132742&sr=1-17&keywords=tapestry+needleor thesehttps://www.amazon.com/Lion-Brand-Yarn-400-5-5002-Large-Eye/dp/B0021GN2BA/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1542132742&sr=1-1&keywords=tapestry+needle&dpID=4164MqqPI%252BL&preST=_SY300QL70&dpSrc=srch

And of course, a knitter always needs stitch markers https://www.amazon.com/BESMELYIN-Knitting-Markers-Locking-Colorful/dp/B07GFKSVR3/ref=sr_1_17_sspa?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1542132797&sr=1-17-spons&keywords=stitch+markers&psc=1

Tape measurers and scissors are also always good

Project bags are good too

Check out the sidebar, it has some other knitting gift ideas!

Try knitting in the round, it's can be as mindless as garter stitch and you can end up with some really cool hats and socks, not just scarves or dish cloths. If you get a US size 7 (4.5mm) fixed circ in a 16 inch length you'll find tons of patterns for worsted weight hats. And you knit them in the round, so easy peasy and no seaming. I knit a lot of socks while listening to audiobooks, used to have to pause to do the heels, but now that's no big deal. I'm a fan of the tiny 9inch circular needles, some people find them too small but even with bigish hands I use them all the time for socks (us size 1 or 2) and fingerless gloves or mittens and slippers (us size 4 or 5) and the vast majority of those projects is the long tube part, knit knit knit knit knit.... just pause the book when you're at the thumb gusset or heel turn. Sorry, I know this post is too long winded, but I love being able to "read" books AND complete my holiday gift list AND have a drawer full of warm custom fitted socks. It's the best combination ever.

Very expensive little bits of plastic -- but very useful. I use them for short ends and am very grateful for them, but otherwise I find it easier to use the easy-to-thread "wool needles" with cable eyes. (Available in pretty colours for a little extra ☺)

You can get a decent starter set of bamboo circular needles on Amazon. This is the set that I bought. I still use them on occasion too, they're really not bad. As for yarn, I really like Cascade Pacific yarn, and it's pretty reasonably priced for being a wool blend. It's also worsted weight which for some reason is my favorite weight. Wool yarn is really nice and soft so I definitely recommend using that. I've been using it to make myself a sweater and LOVE it!

Kind of embarrassed to say this but...

I now knit almost exclusively on these sets of insanely cheap circular and dpn bamboo needles. These are the circs and these are the dpns I have, they were about $25 together when I got them. I was getting frustrated with buying sets for each new project and still not having the gauge quite right but I am too cheap to spend $$$ on a really nice set for a hobby I've only been doing for a year. The circs came with quite a strong chemical smell but I spread them out to degas and it is fine now. The connections on the smaller sizes snag a bit and a couple have broken from being sat upon (I really have to stop leaving my project bag on chairs!) but overall I'm really happy with the purchase.

Maybe if a few more get damaged I will spring for a set of interchangeables, but for a beginner or a knitter on a budget, something like this or this would be a great starting point.

If you feel like giving bamboo a new try but you're not sure about the commitment, I have bought my sister, mum and I each a full set of straight bamboo knitting needles for barely 5 pounds ($6) each on amazon. I guess they're not fancy and stuff but so far they have been working really well for me and I was amazed to have a complete set so cheap.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005S01Q6O/ref=cm_sw_r_taa_NQ1Byb63CTKWQ

the Knitpicks interchangeables are made by the same company as knitters pride (or knitpro in europe) and they have metal tips:

http://www.knitpicks.com/knitting-needles-crochet-hooks/options-interchangeable-nickel-plated-circular-knitting-needle-set.html


They also have acrylic tips, but I have heard they bend. I have the harmony needles from knitpicks and I do love them, however I snap anything under a size 4 routinely, and I really like the hiya hiya stainless "sharp" line for smaller needles. (in 40" fixed circular) I haven't tried their interchangeables, but they have them too:

http://www.amazon.com/Hiya-Steel-Interchangeable-Knitting-Needles/dp/B005FAIBO2

These are crochet hooks. Crochet is a completely different craft than knitting; they are not interchangeable. Check out /r/crochet though if you're interested.

If you want a full beginners set of knitting needles, I'd get something like this (for circulars) or this (for DPNs). I bought a cheap set of DPNs like the one linked when I was a beginner, and I actually still use a lot of them. Once you get more experienced, you'll probably want to buy yourself a nice set of interchangeable needles, but that's not something you'll need as a beginner since they are very pricey.

If you're not sure if you want to buy a full set of needles yet and you just want to see if you like knitting first, I'd recommend you go to a craft store and pick up a single set of straight needles or a single circular needle. Find a project that you want to make, and it'll tell you which needle and yarn size you need. Then go to the store and buy that size.

Not sure about the eBay set, but I took a chance on these and I love them. I was wary when I ordered them, but I figured $24 wasn't too bad, and I could return them if they sucked. They're fantastic, and I find myself looking for excuses to knit with them. The smaller sizes (US 1-3) are pretty flexible, and would probably snap if you accidentally stepped on one or lost it in the couch (happens too often), but so far they're in one piece. If you're worried about getting scammed on eBay, I would recommend the set on Amazon.

I think Trigly is spot on suggesting circulars and DPNs, though I would caution against the set they recommend. Those circulars are known for disconnecting from the plastic cord and there's really no way to reattach them. If it's within your budget, I would strongly recommend going for a set of interchangeable needles like these, these, or these. For DPNs I have this set which I'm pretty happy with.

I also second starting her off with a pair (or two) of straight needles instead. I find it's much easier to tension your knitting when it's not slipping off onto the thinner cable part. Once she gets more of a hang of knitting, she can then branch out into getting different kind of needles, maybe even invest in an interchangeable kit then. I would also recommend metal needles for a beginner because when I first started, I had a habit of pulling my stitches too tight (so that the tension would be even) and the metal allows the stitches to move more easily.

I actually don't think you should get her yarn if she already has a collection of yarn she can try first. I usually prefer to decide on a project THEN get the yarn rather than have a ball that I don't really know what to do with (especially if you sometimes need more than 1 ball, etc.).

Look into starter kits for knitting as opposed to starter kits for needles. Most starter knitting kits have 1/2 pairs of needles and a bunch of knitting accessories like stitch holders, tapestry needles, stitch counters, project/instructional booklet etc. and would probably be more amusing for her as a beginner and gives her more things to play with. For example, something like this Boye "I taught myself knitting" kit.

Sure can. These are my absolute favorite for pretty much every yarn. I even use then with my silk lace work. I do the German twisted cast on and jen's super stretchy cast on. https://www.amazon.com/ChiaoGoo-Circular-Stainless-Knitting-Needle/dp/B00DX86NUM/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=2mm+47+inch+red+lace+circular&qid=1568546045&s=gateway&sr=8-2

My set is even cheaper than the ones you have but I love it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007A2LC9Y/ref=oh_aui_i_sh_in_o2_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've heard good things about the knitpro ones you've listed before but I've never worked with them.

I just started knitting as well. I have my eye on this set of circular needles. My step mother has them and they are really nice. The little panda needle tops are adorable.