How to Select Materials for Knitting

Every knitter, whether beginning or experienced, needs a few basic materials. Start with these necessities and then add to your collection as you work more projects.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Knitting Patterns
• Knitting Ring Markers
• Knitting Baskets
• Knitting Needles
• Row Counter
• Tapestry Needles
• Yarns
• Plastic Containers
• Small Scissors
• Small Scissors

1. Choose a knitting pattern that matches your ability. Many patterns are coded as to the level of the knitter's expertise.

2. Choose knitting needles in the size suggested in your knitting pattern. It's a good idea to also have needles on hand that are one and two sizes smaller and larger than required. If your stitches are tighter or looser than those worked by the pattern designer, you may need larger or smaller needles to compensate for this difference in knitting style.

3. Choose the type of needle called for in your knitting pattern. Single-pointed, double-pointed and circular needles are readily available in metal and in plastic. Single-pointed needles are used in most projects designed for beginners.

4. Choose needles that are long enough to comfortably hold your stitches.

5. Choose the yarn type suggested in your knitting pattern. If you cannot find the suggested brand, look for a yarn that is similar in weight.

6. Purchase all skeins of a needed yarn color at once. Check to make sure that the dye lot number on all skeins is the same. Dye lots change and a different dye lot number may produce a slightly different shade of your chosen color.

7. Use a stitch counter to help you keep track of the number of stitches knitted and use ring markers to designate the various points of your work ' row ends, increases, decreases and so on. Both tools slip onto the knitting needle.

8. Keep a small pair of scissors on hand to cut yarn.

9. Use a tapestry needle to join knitted pieces together.

Tips & Warnings

• Search the Internet for free knitting patterns. There is a multitude of patterns available for knitters of all levels of expertise.
• Choose larger knitting needles for a first project. They are easier to manipulate.
• Try to stay within one or two needle sizes of that recommended in the knitting pattern. Certain needle sizes work best with particular yarn weights. For example, a thinner yarn worked on a needle that is too large will produce significant gaps between stitches.
• Protect your needle points from damage while you are not knitting by covering needle ends with small plastic caps. Choose needle point protectors in sizes appropriate to your knitting needles.
• Choose inexpensive yarn in a variety of weights if you plan to simply practice your knitting stitches before tackling a project or pattern.
• Purchase an extra one or two skeins of your chosen yarn color. Your dye lot number might not be available later on.
• Keep all project items together in a knitting basket or plastic container.

on 11/22/2005 Protect the tips of needles with left-over corks from wine bottles (they're also good for protecting tips of small scissors).