The material of the knitting needles plays an essential part in making your creation elegant. As a knitter when you plan your knitting journey, you will find various options on the way such as wood, metal, plastic, or carbon. Hence it's become tricky to make the right decision, so let's unravel the pros and cons and suggest some good options in this blog.
Materials Used in Knitting Needle?
Choose the knitting material that matches your project requirements. Every material has distinct features, some of which help in your fast knitting process, however, the beginner must consider the material first.
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Wooden Knitting Needle
When thinking about wooden needles- you get a warm and natural feel. You will find several options besides you, like needles in birch, rosewood, and bamboo. KnitPro's wooden needles, including the popular Symfonie series, Dreamz, Basix, and J'dore cubics, are famous due to their smoothness and great quality.
Pros
- These wooden needles are perfect for long sessions due to their warm nature.
- Beginners will love to work on these needles because of the wood's texture which prevents yarn slippage.
- These needles are lightweight and affordable, making them suitable for beginners starting out their knitting adventure.
Cons
- In wooden needles, thinner ones are not the best choice, becuase they are more prone to splitting or breaking if more pressure is applied to them.
- If you are looking for speed then metal needles are best to consider due to additional fraction.
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Metal Knitting Needles
Expert knitters love the speed and accuracy of metal knitting needles made of stainless steel or aluminum. KnitPro provides various ranges of smooth and long-lasting needles such as Zing, Nova series, SmartStix, and Mindful collection.
Pros:
- Strong and resilient.
- Due to the smooth surface, yarn glides easily and helps in quick knitting.
- Metal needles are suitable for tight twists or slippery fibers.
Cons
- Especially during the winter, metal needles become cold and it's become hard to hold them.
- Beginners can drop the stitches due to excessive slickness.
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Carbon Fiber Knitting Needles
A more recent invention is a carbon fiber knitting needle that combines the greatest qualities of wood and metal. You can explore the exceptional quality of Karbonz from KnitPro.
Cons
- Despite being extremely lightweight, they are strong and long-lasting.
- These needles are warm and comfortable for knitting in winter.
Pros
- The needles are expensive compared to other materials.
- The carbon needles can break or shatter if used beyond their limit.
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Plastic Needles
Due to the low price of these needles, these are considered best for beginners to start their knitting adventure.
Cons
- Inexpensive, lightweight, and good grip, a perfect combination.
Pros
- It can be bent or broken under high tension, so these are not as durable as other needles.
A Quick Guide on Knitting Needles (Materials)
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|
Wood/Bamboo |
Stainless Steel |
Carbon |
Plastic |
Aluminium |
|
Speed |
Slow while knitting |
Fast while Knitting |
Medium |
Medium |
Fast |
|
Weight |
Light |
Heavy |
Light |
Very Light |
Medium |
|
Sound |
Quite |
Noisy while knitting |
Medium quiet while Knitting |
Medium while knitting |
Noisy while knitting |
|
Temperature/feel |
Warm feel when touching |
Cold feel |
Cold feel |
Warm/ slight texture |
Cool/smooth |
Type of Needles according to the Shape
The next step is choosing the type of needles available in various forms. Here are some examples:
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1. Single Pointed Needles
The majority of starter kits come with these traditional needles. For flat knitting projects like blankets and scarves, they are ideal.
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Circular needles
Because of their versatility, circular needles can be used for round and flat knitting. They work well for larger projects like Afghans and sweaters. The Nova Cubics and other interchangeable circular needle sets from KnitPro provide simplicity and versatility. Learn more about circular needles by checking our blog on 10 reasons why we love circular knitting needles.
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Double Pointed Needles
KnitPro's DPNs such as Symfonie, Bamboo, or Karbonz are available in a set of five and are used for small circumference projects such as socks, hats, or gloves.
These
needles are available in various lengths, while choosing these, consider the
project requirements. Read our blog on how to choose the
perfect knitting needle for your yarn.
When choosing the material for your needle, it ultimately depends on your preferences and the kinds of projects you're working on. Due to the inexpensive and lightweight nature of plastic, metal needles offer speed
