Knitting Needles

No one knows exactly when knitting first began, but its murky origins seem to date back several thousand years. Archaeologists have discovered ancient garments resembling socks that were crudely made using using a needle-like implement in a way similar to knitting. In the Elizabethan period in England, knitted clothing became important for the noble classes while providing gainful employment to many poor.The most widely recognized knitting needles are straight needles. These are pointed rods with knobs on one end to prevent stitches from being dropped. However, the oldest type of knitting needle is the double-pointed needle. They are commonly used to create tubular garments such as socks. Circular knitting needles are more modern in design and consist of two pointed needles joined by nylon thread.Knitting needles are typically made from wood, aluminum, steel, plastic, bakelite, or even bone. Other materials used to make knitting needles include tortoise shell, walrus tusks, and ivory. While most are utilitarian in nature, many feature beaded heads or intricate paint jobs and serve as great collectibles. The size of the needle affects the size of your stitch, and therefore the size of the piece you are making. There are four different sizing systems: metric, U.S., U.K./Canadian, and Japanese. If your knitting needles are not labeled, you can determine their size with a needle gauge. There are a wide range of knitting needles and accessories available online. You'll also find starter kits, patterns, books on needlecraft, knitting-needle holders, and more.